Letters To The Editor
PEER SUPPORT NEEDED
Dear Madam,
I'm writing in response to the article, 'Virtual Welfare to Hit Colleges', (May 27).
While I appreciate the coverage of the Peer Support Programme's exciting new initiative in Worcester College - Peer Support on MSN - I am dismayed by the fabrication of the peer support conversation image.
More column space is devoted to this supposed conversation than the article itself; and yet, not only does the paper not acknowledge that this conversation is entirely made up, but it is a misrepresentation of a peer support conversation, online or otherwise.
Peer supporters do not give advice, use emoticons, or tell people to, "get out of the house girl..." or that "boys aren't worth it." Indeed, peer supporters will listen with empathy, and take all concerns seriously. Furthermore, under no circumstances do peer supporters keep written records of their interactions with other students, whether meeting them in person or online.
The Peer Support Programme is an important and recognised part of the welfare structure in 24 Oxford colleges.
The structure of the online programme and the guidelines for confidentiality have been carefully thought out and put into place in order to reassure those who want to talk anonymously.
Anne Ford, Co-ordinator
Peer Support Programme
OU Counselling Service
SECURING ADVICE
Dear Madam,
I am the Welfare Rep from Worcester College and was interviewed for this article regarding the MSN Peer Support surgeries.
These surgeries were inspired by similar welfare (though not directly Peer Support) services we had heard had successfully been initiated in other colleges, and we thought that Peer Support would benefit from a similar format in addition to talking to people face-to-face.
The final sentence in the article linked it to the front page story of the edition, which was about the potential for hacking via the University network.
As this was not mentioned to me when I was interviewed for the article regarding MSN Peer Support I would now like to comment that the OxStu's report has indeed highlighted possible weaknesses within the network, but they are not the sort of thing that the people running the surgeries can address.
We will do our utmost at all times to ensure confidentiality is maintained (making sure no conversations are logged etc), and this is all we can do.
I hope this has clarified matters and I would like to thank the OxStu for its coverage of our initiative.
Lynne Paddock
Welfare Representative
Worcester College
PROTECTING APATHY
Dear Madam,
Perhaps you ought to have considered that not all students care about politics before asserting in last week's Editorial that political apathy is not acceptable and that one must exercise their right to vote.
Term after term I have watched with disgust Oxford's so-called political players canvass for votes in a blatantly self-interest desire to climb that greasy pole and further their political careers. This week students who want to enjoy a night out will be harassed by shameless hacks. Due to this, many like myself have been put off ever wanting to vote for these hacks who are clearly in it for themselves. Furthermore, my one vote is unlikely to make an ounce of difference.
Felicity Walker-Buckton
Magdalen College
ELECTIONS RESPONSE
Dear Madam,
One of your journalists accused me of "blind opportunism" in last week's Oxford Student, referring to my opposition to the street drinking ban. I fail to see how my support for the position of my party can be opportunistic - it's hardly my fault if the Green Party happens to believe in similar things to the bulk of the student population. For the record, Green councillors have voted against the ridiculous street drinking ban in the past, and will continue to do so - unlike their Liberal Democrat counterparts.
Matt Sellwood
New College
10th Jun 2004