THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 3, 1995 TAG: 9508020158
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
STUDENTS WHO ARE reluctant to approach the staff or faculty with questions may rely on student-to-student communication this fall at the Portsmouth campus of Tidewater Community College.
The Student Development Center will provide peer listeners as sources of information or sounding boards.
``A peer listening program is something we had been kicking around for some time,'' said Randy Shannon, coordinator of Student Development at TCC. ``Budget restraints have limited the number of professors who can work with students. We feel that students relate better to fellow students in many instances.''
Recently, Shannon and his staff, which includes Larry Saffioti and his wife, Patti, attended a conference sponsored by the Virginia College Personnel Association of Student Affairs. There they heard a presentation on the successful peer listening program at Washington and Lee University.
After Shannon visited Christopher Newport University, which has a similar program, the TCC staff decided to select eight student applicants, schedule a training program, and implement their own peer listening program. As a reward for their services, the college will offer the students a $300 scholarship per semester.
Trained to field questions or gripes of students, peer listeners will wear name tags and be seated at a table in a highly visible area of the campus from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday and Tuesday.
They will be able to answer such questions as how a student appeals a grade, gets a handicapped parking sticker, or gets rid of a textbook bought for a canceled class. They will not be responsible for counseling or attempt any kind of therapy, Shannon said.
``We will acquaint them with the campus and the various programs, offices, and services at TCC,'' Shannon said. ``We'll also teach them how to make referrals outside the campus.''
Debbie Cunningham, a United Christian Ministries' representative, will assist with training and be on hand to supervise and give assistance to the peer listeners. Various community agencies will be asked to supply informational brochures, as well.
By mid-July, which was the deadline for applications, 38 students had applied for the position. To qualify, a student had to have a 2.5 GPA and must have completed a minimum of 25 hours, Shannon said.
``We had simulation role play and applicants were asked to react to a certain situation,'' he said. ``They had to have good listening skills and a genuine interest in helping others.''
``In a four-year private college, there are fraternities and sororities,'' Shannon continued. ``Our students attend classes and go home. It's hard to get them involved in a college environment. Many are first-year college students who are unsure of what college is about, academically at-risk students, and those who are returning to college.''
Shannon will have responsibility for overall coordination of the program. He will meet with his staff and peer listeners periodically to get feedback and evaluate their performances.
``If someone has a financial problem, he or she would talk with Larry Saffioti, who counsels with financial aid students,'' Shannon said. ``If a housewife raising a family is having a problem coping, she would be referred to Patti, who works with the Women's Center.
``At the beginning of school, we notice that many students are bewildered,'' Shannon said. ``They may have pretty simple questions that are important to them and we don't want them to get off on the wrong foot.''
``We want the peers to be enthusiastic and positive,'' Shannon continued. ``Maybe a student might need someone to talk to or need encouragement. A peer might walk down to the snack bar and have a Coke with a student. He or she can spend as much time as needed. It won't be particularly structured. It will be low-key, but the peers will be out there . . . `showing their colors,' so to speak.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Randy Shannon, coordinator of Student Development at TCC, will
supervise the new peer listening program.
by CNB