"The coalition is looking for a safe place.That's a different need than even a women's centercould provide," she said.

Both student organizations called for increasedcommunication between students and counselors.

Zoba said she thinks PRDRE's workshops shouldbe mandatory for all first-years rather thanlimited to proctor groups that have expressedinterest.

Although the Safe Community lecture first-yearstudents receive Freshman Week is admirable,Karteron said, smaller group workshops would bemore effective in getting through to students.

Karteron and Zoba also stressed the importanceof talking to students early in their first-yearbecause a majority of rape occurs in the first fewmonths of school.

Zoba described PRDRE's broadened activities oncampus, which have involved speaking to first-yearproctor groups to increase awareness, and havegrown to encompass the athletic teams,fraternities and sororities on campus.

"People grew a lot more aware after the twoincidents last year. I think awareness is thewhole purpose of why I'm here today," Zoba said.

Many of the audience's questions focused on therecent news that two Harvard students convicted ofsexual offenses, Joshua M. Elster and D. DrewDouglas, both of the Class of 2000, were notexpelled.

Avery said Harvard only exercises the expulsionpolicy for students who falsify their applicationcredentials. Both accused students received thepenalty of dismissal, the punishment used forcriminal action.

Students in the audience said they believethere is a deficiency of knowledge on campus interms of what to do in cases of rape. Sexualassault and harassment residential advising is anarea many said is in need of improvement.

Some said they left last night's panel unawareof anything new on the issue.

"[Avery] seemed to avoid questions. I think shedid what I expected her to do," said Ethan D.S.Ard '00, managing editor of Perspective, whichrecently initiated campus discussion of rape.

Other students said they learned more about theissue of date rape from the panel discussion.

"I was curious because I had read lots ofthings. I wanted to hear what people had to sayabout it," Erin B. Ashwell '02 said.

"The administration showed it was interested intalking with students. It seemed they had a goodworking relationship," she said.

Karteron said the panel was a good step forpromoting campus rape discussion.

"It was a good way to start a dialogue oncampus. I was glad Dean Avery was able toparticipate and field those questions," she said