2008 Woodie Awards
Letter
Campus educator addresses need for counselor
Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: Opinion
Originally published: 11/30/07 at 4:51 PM EST
Last update: 11/30/07 at 4:49 PM EST
- Page 1 of 1
I am writing in response to the latest editorial published in Cardinal Points anticipating the arrival of a new Alcohol and Other Drug Coordinator.
First and foremost, I applaud the publication for bringing this concern to the campus and agree whole-heartedly that the addition of counseling staff, especially with substance abuse expertise, is needed. The counseling center staff is a wonderful group of professionals dedicated to serving students but having more personnel certainly creates a means for increased services. Again, thank you for reinforcing this important point.
Along this line, I thought that correcting some misperceptions about the process may help my PSUC peers better understand where all of this is headed. The editorial stated "adding a substance abuse counselor is something that should have been done instead of focusing on public image and reducing drinking across the board."
If retaining a counselor through the campus social norming campaign remained a possibility, I would hire two!
Funding for the services is entirely separate, however, the Center for Student Health and Psychological Services hopes that any and all activities (regardless of funding source) meet the same goal: student wellness.
The social norms campaign is not solely focused on public image or reduction in drinking. The premise of social norming is just a presentation of facts for self-evaluation in comparison to normative behavior. No tricks, gimmicks or mysticism - just food for thought.
The work of the Alcohol and Other Drug Coordinator focuses on helping students. Students receiving a judicial charge requiring follow-up counseling (which may happen from time to time) is not a punishment. Psychological Services is in the business of helping students, so please do not equate the separate issue of enforcement with counseling services.
One example is a student who becomes intoxicated and damages property or one's self. Judicial charges are separate from the care that a student needs and deserves in working though substance issues and reasons why the incident initially occurred.
Thus, counseling is a crucial aspect of this position and potentially prevents an individual from suffering further consequences on a larger scale.
Suffice to say that the editorial certainly casts light on a very important issue. Acting as your Health Educator, I would not (and should not) do this job if your best interest is not my priority and assure you that the addition of an AOD coordinator is another positive step in this direction.
We have a long way to go but accomplish the best things only when working together. Working together will make our campus a better place.
Jerimy Blowers
Health Educator
First and foremost, I applaud the publication for bringing this concern to the campus and agree whole-heartedly that the addition of counseling staff, especially with substance abuse expertise, is needed. The counseling center staff is a wonderful group of professionals dedicated to serving students but having more personnel certainly creates a means for increased services. Again, thank you for reinforcing this important point.
Along this line, I thought that correcting some misperceptions about the process may help my PSUC peers better understand where all of this is headed. The editorial stated "adding a substance abuse counselor is something that should have been done instead of focusing on public image and reducing drinking across the board."
If retaining a counselor through the campus social norming campaign remained a possibility, I would hire two!
Funding for the services is entirely separate, however, the Center for Student Health and Psychological Services hopes that any and all activities (regardless of funding source) meet the same goal: student wellness.
The social norms campaign is not solely focused on public image or reduction in drinking. The premise of social norming is just a presentation of facts for self-evaluation in comparison to normative behavior. No tricks, gimmicks or mysticism - just food for thought.
The work of the Alcohol and Other Drug Coordinator focuses on helping students. Students receiving a judicial charge requiring follow-up counseling (which may happen from time to time) is not a punishment. Psychological Services is in the business of helping students, so please do not equate the separate issue of enforcement with counseling services.
One example is a student who becomes intoxicated and damages property or one's self. Judicial charges are separate from the care that a student needs and deserves in working though substance issues and reasons why the incident initially occurred.
Thus, counseling is a crucial aspect of this position and potentially prevents an individual from suffering further consequences on a larger scale.
Suffice to say that the editorial certainly casts light on a very important issue. Acting as your Health Educator, I would not (and should not) do this job if your best interest is not my priority and assure you that the addition of an AOD coordinator is another positive step in this direction.
We have a long way to go but accomplish the best things only when working together. Working together will make our campus a better place.
Jerimy Blowers
Health Educator
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