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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (June 28, 1979)
Students learn by advising others Photo by Jimrm Hams Peer counselors may not have all the answers, his student discovers, but it's always helpful to talk to someone in your major. By NANCYANN LOFGREN Of the Emerald Peer advising not only helps students learn the workings of the University, but it also teaches the student advisers valua ble helping skills while providing on the job training. Peer advising is part of the University's para-professional training program, of fered through the office of Academic and Student Services, the psychology, sociology and gerontology departments Student advisers help other students with questions about University procedures, policies and departmental prerequisites "Students are more sen sitive to the little rules and regulations that faculty advisors might not know,” says Marliss Strange, associate director of academic advising "We re able to relate to other students, if not better, than on a different level than faculty advisors,” says Gail Thomas, a peer adviser from the Office of Academic and Student Services Students can help other students effectively because they have dealt with the same sorts of things and are "closer to home,” Thomas says But peer advising doesn’t supersede faculty advising, Strange says Because faculty advisers don't have to spend time explaining such things as what the pass no pass grading system means, whether a student can chew bubble gum in class, or how many P E courses are needed for group requirements, they can do a better job counseling students in their majors. Strange says. " Peer advising bridges the transition from where students are coming from and where they are going,” says Jane DiGidio, instructor and coordinator for the student para-professional program "People need a place to feel con nected." say Karen Likens, a peer ad viser in the psychology department. Sometimes departments can be a little cold and removed," she adds. "I think we are very approachable. Sometimes students are afraid to ap proach faculty and we help them with that," she says In the psychology department advisors help students plan a preliminary schedule and come up with questions about their academic program before going to their faculty advisor. "We try to be aware of the best ways to en hance the new students' experiences." Peer advising has its limitations The student advisers do not give in-depth counseling, financial aid counseling, or analyze transcripts In situations beyond their capability, advisers act as a referral and point students toward departments or professors qualified in those areas Each department develops a peer ad vising program differently and auton omously of the other departmental pro grams. DeGidio says, with herself acting as a consultant Training and supervision are the key aspects to success." DeGidio says. Departmental development of peer ad vising should be done carefully so that there is never a ' slip-shod program,” she adds The faculty must know the students are not going to give wrong information nor harm the faculty's advis ing role Advisers receive extensive training. They receive on-the-job training because each peer advising program is supervised by a faculty member Addi tional training comes from the depart ments. previous experience and through a class called "Paraprofessional Inter personal and Organizational Skills." taught by DeGidio. The three credit course teaches communication skills, organization skills and interpersonal communications through theory and practaice DeGidio says it's a "fun class'* because "people want to be there" Advisors can receive small stipends, work study or up to three hours of credit. Awareness can arrest sexual harassment By TAMARA SWENSON Of the Emerald Sexual harassment can oc cur, will occur and does occur on university campuses in both education and employment, though they seem to be the centers for enlightenment. Sexual harassment can be defined several ways, says Nor ma McFadden, affirmative ac All Day and All Night Pitchers small $1.25 large $2.25 Best Burgers in Town Pinball, Pool, Good Music Fun, Fun, Fun. . . 3355 E. Amazon tion compliance officer 'But basically it's unwanted, non reciprocal, non-coincidental, one-sided, repeated sexual at tention." But most people are unaware of exactly what sexual harass ment is Legally it is sex dis crimination, handled by the Oregon State Bureau of Labor in both education and em ployment The University Affirmative Ac tion office is willing to process illegal discrimination suits, but. says McFadden sexual har assment will stop only when society begins to educate peo ple to the fact " "Harassment and fear of re prisal exists with males as well as females." says William Boyd, University president, ‘but women are much more sub ject.’’ Only recently have people begun talking about sexual har assment, says McFadden Women are beginning to realize that little things they were raised to accept are damaging to themselves and to an entire sex "Sexual harassment isn't related to sex though," she says "It s related to power Sexual harassment is basically a power issue " The Project on the Status and Education of Women, of the As sociation of American Colleges says that sexual harassment in cludes • Subtle pressure for sexual activity. • Verbal harassment or abuse; • Unnecessary touching, pat ting, or pinching • Leering or ogling of a woman s body. • Sexist remarks about a woman s clothing, body or sexual activities. • Demanding sexual favors accompanied by implied or overt threats concerning one’s 1111 14 I O NATURAL HAIR DESIGN FOR WOMEN & MEN DRY CUT $7.25 designed for your hair and you. 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"They become afraid of saying get your hand off my arm' because they might lose their job ** The fear of reprisal has kept many people from reporting cases of discrimination, she ex piames This unwanted, repeated sexual attention is an noying to the person, but they often don t know how to deal with it As more people become aware of it cases of sexual har assment will decrease, but peo ple need to know how to deal with it effectively.'* says McFad den Sex discrimination and sexual harassment can be handled under the University's affirma tive action office grievance procedures "If sex discrimination is per ceived by a person they can call the affirmative action office." says McFadden "Sexual har assment charges have a great need for confidentiality, and of ten we can reach a resolution with both individuals satisfied with the outcome " There is a definite need to have a “reasonable way to ac commodate both needs," says Boyd. "Increased sensitivity to the issue has to be achieved, even if we just raise the issue to the level it is talked about.” Sexual harassment is something people shouldn't have to put up with, and should refuse to put up with. McFadden says, but "people should know it exists” "If people examine actions and reactions to what they say and how they perceive what they say. they would become more aware of sexual harass ment around them." says McFadden. People want to be perceived by their ability as people, not by something "superficial It's a matter of awareness” "This is a society that is not used to thinking about women very much, or not very highly," McFadden says. Thursday, June 28, 1979
