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Show Westminster College of Salt Lake City Vol 32, No. 4 Nov. 1984 Dean of Students Continues Changes in Final Year - Suicidal Persons Give Signs by Chris Thurmond An average of one Westminster student a year succeeds in taking his or her life according to Psychology Professor Mark Jones. Last year two Westminster students committed suicide. Suicide is the first cause of death among col-- " lege students. There is usually a combination of reasons for committing suicide, although according to Anita Gander of the counseling and testing center sometimes one traumatic event can be enough. Gander said that the most common reason is that students feel if they keep on living the way they are, they will disappoint their parents. They never stop to think about the consequences for those left behind, said Gander, Theyre just too involved with themselves. Students also worry about disappointing themselves, peers and loved ones. Gander has found that while attending college, becoming a success is a big worry that can often lead to high hnxiety and sometimes suicide. Gander and Jones agreed that among the many other common reasons for student suicide the yearning to escape from an intolerable situation, wanting to end an unresolvable conflict, or wanting to punish those left behind are examples of the most common. Jones believes that if suicidal people thought logically they wouldnt be suicidal. "They do not think rationally, therefore they seek a permanent resolution to a temporary problem. The suicidal person has no sense of future and feels that nothing can ever change. They dont know how to check out reality, stated Gander, Their perceptions become distorted and there is a sense of total hopelessness. Jones said that because most suicidal people are ambivalent about dying and actually wish to be rescued, about 75 percent of teem will give notice of their intentions in the form of clues. .. He added that verbal clues should be watched for. Jones said that if a person were to say, How do I donate my body to medical school? or Here, take this (valuable possession). I wont be needing it anymore thi3 could really be a plea for help. It is very important to watch for any changes in a persons typical behavioral pattern. Jones state!, "Few college students seek professional help. We must be aware of warning signs. Jones said that some warning signs to look for are crying for no apparent reason, sudden resignation from a club, organization or even classes, the placing of personal or business affairs in goo! order as through preparing for a long journey, or asudden, unexplainable recovery from severe depression. In the case of the last sign, the person may seem deceivingly happy. According to Jones, the decision to end everything often gives a feeling of relief because it appears to be a good resolution to problems. . When a person seems to be withdrawing from life, this can be a good clue to suicidal tendencies, says Gander. A person can withdraw into a fantasy world with the aid of drugs " or they may enter a world of total loneliness by isolating themselves from all other people,. Gander says that because a person is less likely to succeed in a suicide attempt when counselors and friends are available to talk to. ;r.3 who is rlaIU C who might be czn c . University of Utahs Helpline by czZ' Z or During the qn 24 is a it hours open day and betn . t'rs, c : triers there will be someone there t Z the time. The Suicide Helpline prcvl r live listening and immense refcrrri " ! rrcblems such as ticchcl and fjr the handicapped er cvc.i t ' h locking for room and beard. r,z .vs someone 21-82- 28 581-HEL- P. r drr: by entire community now. You can tell its working just by the number of students involved. Thats a great start. Marie M. Weiss Creating change in policies held down by college traditions is a difficult task, but one that Debbie Jenkins has accomplished with finesse in the three years that she has been dean of students at Westminster. Jenkins, who came to the college in 1980 as director of counseling and testing and who, in less than nine months, became dean of students, said she looks at change as an adventure. This coming June, Jenkins will face another change when she leaves the familiarity of Westminster College and, with her husband Ron, two daughters Amy and Lindsey, moves to New Zealand where Ron, who is a physician, will be working. Jenkins said that knowing this year will be her last at Westminster has had an effect on her, I think Ive learned more this year than in any other year Ive been here, Jenkins said. I think its because Im trying so hard to learn so that I can take the knowledge with me wherever I go. Jenkins added that she has also become a little more outspoken this year because she wants to continue to support the students she represents and the policies she believes in as long as she can." "When I became dean of students at Westminster College I had a number of goals, Jenkins said. I wanted students to feel that the dean of students was an advocate for them. Someone who would have an ear open for the student and an office that anyone could come into and feel at home in. Jenkins said that making changes that would benefit the students was not always easy. We hang onto traditions too much. We dont dare to change. Jenkins added, Weve dared to change on reorganization, on how to run our facilities, weve even dared to change the structure of our staffs. What we havent dared to change is our basic philosophy." Jenkins emphasizes that communication between the students and administration is the single most important element in promoting change on the campus. To help keep the lines of communication flowing, Jenkins developed the Student Newsletter so that information about occurences on campus could reach those students who are commuters or students by mailing the letter to their homes. Jenkins also provided students with The Student Handbook to inform them of policies and regulations on the campus. One of the things Im most proud of is the change in the Student Life Committee, said Jenkins. They have projects that involve the non-traditio- it is very important to make the person understand that you are a friend and that you care. Jones believes that asking the right questions with concern, listening to everything and not sounding shocked at anything said could help save a life. Dont be afraid to ask if they want to commit suicide.'Ask how they want to do it. They want to talk about it, said Jones, once you suggest suicide then its open and you can talk about the Remedial English classes, college success classes, and choices classes provided by the Student Service Center were implemented by Jenkins to help give students an edge in college. Jenkins said, I feel the classes are academically based in theory and practice. Some faculty view the programs as extra, remedial classes that arent needed. But these classes are for the student. They help them succeed at college and thats what counts. It is this student empathy that Jenkins would most like to see in her replacement. The search for a new dean of students will begin in February and will be conducted by a Continued on page 7 campus shorts The Legislative Assembly recently filled two vacancies on the assembly by electing Kevin Herbert to serve as sophomore representative and Merrilee Barton to serve as student-at-larg- e representative. There are now 12 members on the assembly as required by ASWC bylaws. The constitution of the soccer club was approved by the Student Life Committee and reapproved by the Legislative Assembly. However, the Judiciary only approved the constitution pending its retyping to include several changes made by the Student Life Committee, according to the J ' Oct. 26 minutes. The soccer club constitution was changed to include a waiver of liability for ASWC and Westminster in the event that a player was injured, and a section limiting membership to current students and the Westminster community, according to Mike Moser, associate justice. udi-ciar- ys In the last game of the intramural football season on Oct 28, the Eagles lost to the Cocktail Club 22-- This was the only loss for the Eagles this season. The Crabs forfeited to the Maddogs in other intramural action. 6. Voting for homecoming royalty will take place at the information booth on Nov. 5 and 7 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Royalty will be announced at the Homecoming dance on Nov. 10. topic. Jones said that when questions like, Why havent you before? What kept you from doing it? and Do you have the means? are asked, this shows real concern. There is help available for the person with suicidal tendencies. On campus. Gander can be reached for counseling and though Jones is not a counselor he can give references of a variety of places that can help. it iL.aafc l.fcfclM. f h t .t I |