4 - Counseling Center

COUNSELING CENTER

Orientation 100 - Peer Counseling Program

The Freshman Orientation/Peer Counseling Program

Orientation 100 Classes

A unique Orientation/Peer Counseling Program is conducted each fall for all incoming freshmen. Small groups of first year men and women meet with their respective Peer Counselors for a 50-minute classroom session once a week until fall break. Topics of discussion in the Orientation classes include adjustment problems, study skills, creative thinking, test anxiety, stress reduction, and time management with allowance for any special requests or needs of the group. Tours of the campus, handbook review, guest speakers, social activities, campus security, and introductions/referrals to campus resources are incorporated into the program as well as professionally led presentations and discussions on issues such as alcohol/drugs, date rape, and HIV/AIDS. Successful completion of the Orientation 100 course is required for graduation from Christian Brothers University.

For additional information, see "The Peer Counseling/Freshman Orientation Program"

The Peer Counseling/Freshman Orientation Program

The Peer Counseling/Freshman Orientation Program is conducted each fall for all incoming freshmen. The Peer Counselors, under the direction of the Counseling Center, are specially selected upper-class students who are trained and prepared to help students in their transition and adaptation to college life and to the Christian Brothers University community.

When students first arrive on campus, they are in touch. The Peer Counselor program acquaints freshmen with the many facets of being a student at CBU – not just where to go and whom to see, but keys to personal growth: participating, studying, relating.

The Peer Counselors receive intense training in areas such as paraprofessional helping skills, group dynamics, and group facilitating skills, as well as a review of offices, personnel, services and resources of the university. These students attend in-service workshops in the spring and fall and enroll in the three-hour credit course, "Counselor Training" (COUN 300 or 301), which they attend one hour each week for nine weeks. During this period of time they also meet with small groups of freshmen fifty minutes each week in the Freshman Orientation (ORIN 100) classes.

For additional information, see "Orientation 100 Classes"

Peer Counselor Applicant Information

Eligibility: Students applying for the position of Peer Counselor should:

Be a sophomore, junior or senior
Have at least a 2.5 cumulative grade-point-average
Be a campus leader respected by fellow students, faculty and staff
Be recommended by two faculty members

Responsibilities: Primary responsibilities as a Peer Counselor will be:

To attend and actively participate in all spring and fall training sessions and Welcome Week activities
To conduct the ORIN 100, 50-minute weekly classroom meetings with assigned first-year students, following the course outline and specific lesson plans
To attend weekly 50-minute class meetings with the Director of Counseling for assignments, materials, teaching techniques, basic counseling skills, group tasks, etc.
To submit, at each Counselor Training class, a journal which will include class notes and lesson plans as well as evaluations of each class session with the freshmen
To submit, at the end of the Counselor Training course, an acceptable paper or project relating to the Peer Counseling Program
To promptly complete all assignments
To submit mid-term and final ORIN 100 grades to the Director of Counseling
To consistently and informally inspire and encourage freshmen in order to affect success and retention at CBU
To consistently serve as a role model and a supporter of CBU

Reinforcements: As a Peer Counselor, reinforcing rewards will be:

To receive three credits for the course "Counselor Training" (COUN 300/301)
To receive lodging and meals (resident students) during the Paraprofessional Training Week in August
To learn skills in counseling, teaching, working with individuals and groups
To receive valuable experience in leadership which could be personally rewarding and helpful for future employment

Applications for Peer Counselor positions for the fall term are available each spring beginning the Monday after Spring Break. Applications are to be picked up and returned to the Counseling Center.

A cross-campus selection committee consisting of faculty, staff and students is utilized. The number of Per Counselors selected each spring depends on the number of projected freshmen for the following fall term.

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