14

The Cadre

October 28, 1997

Women's Centre

or

Help Centre?

By Colin Bassett

For many students of UPEI, the first year of univer- sity is also the first year away from home.

In this new environ- ment, these students are quite likely to encounter any of the many problems that today’s students do face, be it drug abuse, alcoholism, stress caused by this new environ- ment, homesickness, financial difficulties, sexual abuse or harassment, or pregnancy. These instances are not rare.

The point is that once a student finds that he/she is faced with a problem, the next obstacle is finding help. A student in unfamiliar .urround- ings runs therisk of just letting the problem fester, rather than seeking help, even though there is a building on campus that can offer services and liaisons to services which would help the students.

The services of the Women’s Center are avail- able to both males and females who find themselves in any of the above predicaments.

Thedilemmahere is that many male students are most likely unaware of the fact that men and women alike are welcome to the center, and even if they were, most male students may not feel very confortable in seeking guid- ance at a place called the Women’s Center.

This is not tosay that UPEI needs a “Men’s Center,” nor does it imply that the services offered at the Women’s Center are more applicableto male students. It does imply, however, that if

CHEE DRNO TADS OH

the doors are open to both sexes at the Women’s Center, it would make more sense to change the sign to better rep- resent the center’s services. Perhaps renaming it the UPEI Student Help Center.

An informal poll of fe- male and male students sup- portthis transition.

Female students were asked “if you were in need of hlep, would it matter what the name of the Center was called where you sought help?” All of the women asked revealed

that there was nothign in a name.

Male students were asked “If you were in ned of help wild you feel comforatble in seeking help at the Wom- en’s Center located on cam- pus?” All of the men replied no.

Although a very unsci- entific poll with a relatively low cross-section of the cam- pus, these answers do reflect popular opinion. The change of the sign would be a step in the right direction.

FOV at VET eae

Faculty Lounge, undergoing major facelift - photo K. Patterson

The Cadre welcomes anyone who is interested in informing

A meeting will be held on Thursday, October 30th at

Main Building at 5:00 PM.

Rm 6

No experience necessary. No shirt, no shoes,

‘

no service.