Sexuality Committee Offers Peer Advising, Symposium

Constance Theodoran

Cavalier Daily

Cavalier Daily

1974-09-04

Cavalier Daily

Sexuality Committee Offers Peer Advising, Symposium
By CONSTANCE THEODORAN
The Counselor’s Committee on Human Sexuality, one of the organizations on the Grounds that is coordinated by students for the benefit of other students and members of the University community, has over the summer prepared for its third year at the University.
As proposed in the committee’s constitution, the objectives of the group are “to help students understand their sexuality, to provide adequate knowledge about sexuality, to aid in the development of objective attitudes towards sexuality and to aid in provision of clinic, educational and counseling services in the area of human sexuality.”
Dealing with educational, clinical and peer services, the functions of the committee are three-fold. According to present Co-chairman Andy Sherman, “Most people haven’t had adequate sex education in high school.” So, one of the major interests of the committee is to sponsor dormitory talks through the Outreach program.
There are four focal points for the dormitory teams: contraception, venereal disease, problem pregnancy and human sexuality. Mr. Sherman noted that the teams are versed in all four areas, but they do not lecture about them. “Instead, we try to break people in with some facts, then just get into a conversation.”
“We want a level of comfort because sexuality is a pretty touchy topic,” Mr. Sherman continued.
The dormitory talks are only part of what the committee does to break down communication barriers.
“Every year in the spring we try to do something big,” Mr. Sherman said. Last spring the special Program Committee brought the team of Masters and Johnson to lecture at the University. Already, plans are in the making for a symposium in the spring of 1975.
Besides these facets of the educational program, the committee keeps its own members well informed. To maintain a high educational level, there are several on-going programs and workshops that cover all aspects of human sexuality.
One of the most important services provided is specifically clinical. The committee is concerned that students realize the wide variety of services that are available through Student Health and the Gynecology Clinic. Working as a part of the clinic are the Student Health peer counselors. They deal with the health issues of sexuality such as contraception, venereal disease and problem pregnancies. Couple involvement is encouraged in counseling and decision making, and, as Mr. Sherman stresses, “Peer counselors in GYN will see guys as well.”
The concept of peer counseling comes from programs at other universities, and it is a service which offers peer opinion and perspective in professional settings. Peer Services Chairman Sara Berga explained, “We don’t pry. It helps a person say, as little or as much as they want to.”
Besides being active with Student Health, the Peer Service program functions within the Counseling Center as well. All of the committee members are extensively trained and supervised, and according to Miss Berga, “All the people involved are people we know are reliable.”
“We’re careful about screening for peer counselors and helpers,” she added. Those working through the Counseling Center are oriented toward the more subjective aspects of sexuality, and are trained to deal with social and inter-personal concerns.
“We deal with personal problems, like roles as female, and male, and all the emotional aspects of sexuality,” Miss Berga elaborated. Peer Services operates by way of a hot-line system in the evenings, or with personal interviews by appointment.
All services are available for both sexes, and male and female committee members staff both locations. All matters are conducted in strict confidence.