The student body president will address sexual assault and underage drinking –only two of many issues first-year students could face this year — tonight.

University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) President Christian Ragland will hold a meeting at 7 tonight in 173 Willard Building.

Sexual assault and underage drinking are the two big topics that will be discussed at this meeting, Ragland (senior-political science) said.

“These are two issues we need to be proactive about,” Ragland said.

There are facts about sexual assault that everyone should know, he said, such as how most sexual assaults are committed by acquaintances, and how most sexual assault cases occur at the beginning of each semester.

UPUA has been conducting outreach programs to recruit new leaders who can help students avoid these issues.

UPUA Executive Director for Freshman Outreach Rebecca Alt said there will be other meetings in the future on safety to let freshmen know about campus issues.

“Any dangerous situation can happen,” Alt (sophomore-communication arts and sciences) said. “Any student at any time can get into a situation where violence can get involved.”

Ragland said he believes it is important for students to be aware of the resources available to them if they are ever assaulted or confronted with underage drinking.

One of these resources, he said, is the Center for Women Students (CWS).

CWS offers peer education groups to provide information about issues such as sexual and relationship violence, CWS Program Coordinator Audra Hixson said.

Assault victims can visit CWS on a walk-in basis or by appointment for help, Hixson said.

CWS can connect victims with therapy or emotional support if needed through Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), she said. They can also help victims collect evidence to help build a case in court.

And though it’s called the Center for Women Students, Hixson said the center also works with men who have experienced assault.