I’m the Senior Student at St Andrew’s College at the University of Sydney, in my third year of residence. I am not a predator. Nor are the other 10 students who make up our House Committee, eight of whom are women elected by their peers for their strong leadership skills.

This week’s publication of the Red Zone Report was the most confronting of any account I’ve seen in my time at college about what supposedly goes on inside our residential college walls.

I want to congratulate End Rape On Campus for the work they do to help keep students safe on campus and for speaking out for those who can’t speak for themselves. We know there have been cases of sexual harassment and assault at university. Women our age are the biggest ‘at risk’ group in society and we need to make sure we do everything we can to keep our friends safe.

That’s why we are working with Elizabeth Broderick’s team to make sure improving our processes for preventing and reporting sexual assault, and supporting survivors, remains a priority at our college.

That said, I don’t agree with the way the Red Zone report was presented. It confuses long-abandoned cultural practices with what goes on in our college today.

St Andrew’s started life 150 years ago and was an all-male residence until 2002. I don’t deny there were practices 20, 30 and 40 years ago that were completely inappropriate. I do want to make clear, though, that while there may be isolated incidents, these are no longer ‘practices’ today.

At St Andrew’s there are no misogynist or racist songbooks. Sexual exploits are not broadcast over public-address systems or ‘exhibited’ on slide shows. First year students are not ‘baited’ by second years during Orientation Week. Men do not habitually masturbate into women’s shampoo bottles.

Where there were once archaic practices, these have been phased out of college culture over the last few decades, and rightfully so. Such activities were not acceptable because they created disturbing experiences for people. They existed in an entirely different societal context and, while it is no excuse, the college culture somewhat reflected the culture of society at the time.

We are not perfect, but our college has come such a long way since then. We have recognised the need for ongoing change and we are championing the actions required to do so.

Where any legacy event exists that reinforces aspects of a negative hierarchy, excessive alcohol and/or food consumption, or that place students in the spotlight for completing reckless tasks — we are getting rid of it.

In the last 15 years since going co-residential, the college has seen more change than in its previous 135 years of history.

Today, St Andrew’s has a 50/50 gender split, driven by an equitable admissions process. Last year, we had seven women apply for every female place offered at Drew’s and five applicants for every male place. If this was such a hotbed of misogyny, why would women want to come here at all, let alone in droves?

Traditions and events at St Andrew’s in 2018 are designed to develop relationships between the students through activities which unify and challenge each student within the college community.

During Orientation Week, activities such as the Taronga Zoo ropes course, a touch competition, social events such as lunches with other colleges and a slip and slide, are all aimed at welcoming the first years to college and allowing them to form strong connections with other students before the rest of the college arrives back a week later.

In my short time as Senior Student, I’ve seen 50 mentors and pastoral leaders more enthusiastic than ever to champion not only the Broderick Review recommendations, but to ensure that every activity at St Andrew’s is affiliative and inclusive, and to effect change where it’s necessary.

The leadership team and I have worked tirelessly throughout the holidays and this week to develop a program for Orientation Week that is not only up to contemporary social standards, but that establishes the culture that we wish to pass on. We are confident and proud of this program, as well as the agenda for the rest of the year.

All our events are in line with the recent Broderick recommendations, our own college Action Plan, and RSA liquor laws. They are overseen by an RSA marshal, pastoral leaders and very capable mentors — all of whom have received a week of extensive training (including mental health first aid, physical first aid, LGBTQI+ ally training and bystander training) to ensure the first years are safe and comfortable and not overwhelmed by living in a new place.

In the last three years, there have been times where I have been ashamed to be part of the our college, not because of what happens within our walls, but because of the way my home is portrayed publicly by people who haven’t asked us what it’s really like to live here.

Sure, there are challenges associated with college life. For example, living in a shared place that demands a lot of time and energy to contribute to the various sporting, music, social and cultural actives we offer here. Time to yourself is a luxury — there is always an activity, such as a training or rehearsal, party or sporting event to attend.

But the challenges are not around being a woman, being hazed or otherwise abused or bullied. That is a culture that I refuse to be part of or associated with.

I have loved my time here at college and will hold closely what I have gained from St Andrew’s for a long time. As we start the new college year, I look forward to working alongside my leadership team to help make Drew’s a great place to be.

Susannah Cooke is the Senior Student at St Andrew’s College.