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Show THE FORUM Nov. 10, 2004 5 For What it's Worth Ms. & Mr. Megan L. Hoskins Staff Writer Students considering online dating can attend I Cant Believe Im Attending This Seminar-You- r Fast track to Successful Internet Dating. This seminar will help Utah singles learn how to write compelling profiles to land the dates they want and learn how to be smart and safe when meeting people online. Marc Katz, author of g Americas online dating book, I Can't Believe Im himself as the countrys leading online dating expert.' Katz, 32, has been interviewed on CNN, National Public Radio, Fox, and has been the focus of articles in Salon , Shape , and USA Today. According to Katz, his online dating consulting service, E- - '7 think this seminar is a great ideaforpeople who have thought about using the internet tofnd a signifi- cant other but are scared. " best-sellin- Common Buying This Book-Sense Guide to Successful Internet A Dating, will be hosting the online dating seminar at the Sheraton City Center in downtown Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. The charge is $25 per person. Founder of the premier online dating consulting service, Katz has established no, Cyrano, gives him the opportunity to turn around peoples love lives and generate thanks from satisfied individuals from around the country. This seminar will teach what 99 percent of online dating users dont know. I think this seminar is a great idea for people who have thought about using the Internet to find a significant other but are scared. I know a few older women who would like to use an online dating service but are afraid because of all the horrific stories they have heard on television or from another source, said Westminster student, Miranda Taft. This seminar will be a wonderful experience and show people that using an online dating service doesnt always have to be a scary experience, it can be a successful one. If students want to learn how to write an engaging online personal profile and how to safely and intelligently manage the enthusiastic responses of the new profile they will generate this conference might be for them. Registration starts at 5:30 p.m. and goes until the seminar starts at 7 p.m. You can also register online at www.yourpowerplace.com.C5 Peer Mentors Help Addicted Students Casey L. Lund Staff Writer Westminster students and Westminster Colleges Counseling Center have come together to create a Peer Mentoring Program to assist students struggling with, or seeking information about, choices involving alcohol and drug use. The Peer Mentoring Program, facilitated by Hcensed clinical social worker - Jeff Bell, is a program that uses students as mentors for other students whp have substance abuse issues. According to Bell there is a significant need for a program that educates students on the consequences of their choice to use alcohol and drugs. percent of freshman dropouts are drug related, said Bell. The proTwenty-fiv- e gram is designed to help educate about the choices of drug use. The program will be implemented by peer mentors conducting classes and by general outreach programs. Peer mentors will conduct classes on Saturdays focusing on as it healthy choice-makin- g relates to using alcohol .and other drugs and realizing the impact of those choices. The students enrolled in the class will be refered by either another student, an resident adviser (RA) or as part of mandatory attendance from no information to help them violation of Resident Life can be part of the problem, said Bell. Recent studies have indicated that tens of thousand of todays college students will eventually die of alcohol-relate- d causes, such as accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, heart disease and other diseases, according to the National Mental Health Association. This same study also indicated requirements. Although the program can be mandatory for some, Bell insists that the program is a nonjudgmental approach to educate about drug abuse. The programs intention is to support students with living in said Bell. Students may also voluntarily participate in the program to seek information and techniques to make appropriate life choices. Peer Mentors will also be involved in alcohol and drug education outreach activities to promote awareness on drug use. Peer mentors will also be available to conduct presentations to various student a healthy way, that as many as 70 percent of college students admit to having engaged in sexual activity as a result of alcohol influence According to Bell there is a significant needfor a program that educates students on the ble choice making as well as the possible effects of alcohol and other drugs. Peer mentors are trained and supervised by the quences counseling center. According to Bell there is a need for this type of program at Westminster, not only for students struggling with substance abuse but for their friends and family as well. ' to People who dont ad. theii friends problem or have Real Advice For Real Problems Dear Mr. & Ms. F: My roommate and I usually get along pretty well and generally agree on stuff. For this past election we voted for different people and have found out we have different views politically. It is starting to ruin our friendship. Can you help? -- Politics Dear Politics, It is completely understandable why you and your room- mate would have issues regarding this election. As many know this election has been one of if not the most intense in history. This election has also been unique in how much involvement has come from the young voters-suc- h as yourself. More emphasis than ever has been put on young voters to get out and vote. MTVs Vote or Die campaign has also increased awareness all over the country that it is our duty (although young) to cast our ballot. All of this plus the dis- agreement you have with your roommate regarding the different political parties is enough to make both of you on edge. But having said this, and having shared a very similar situation, I would like to share with you what I have learned to do in order to keep my opinions and keep my friends. You first need to understand that it is OK that your roommate has different political preferences than you do. You also need to understand that neither side is evil and that your roommate probably has many good reasons for voting for who he or she chose to vote for, just as you do for your preference. I encourage you to open your friend up to find out just why he or she chose who he or she chose, you may find a very good reason for his or her choice and your heart might be softened. Listen to what they have to say before defending yourself and your party. Respect them and he or she will respect you. Dont let it come between you and your friendship, which is not why Americans have the free choice to vote. As John Kerry said in his speech after losing the campaign We are in a time when Americans need to be unified and come together. . -- Ms. F Dear Politics, Mr. F bringing a Im not male's perspective: sure how common that problem is among room- mates, but sometimes it is a common problem among boyfriend and girlfriend, and especially married couples. Without fail, you can always count on politics for some excitement. For some people, politics are taboo and they wont even discuss their beliefs even among some married couples. If not taboo, it can bring the most heated discussions, groups focusing on responsi- Westminster College Counseling Center staff and are required to take the program themselves. Currently the program has two student mentors, Dean Wilson and Chris Brinkcrhoff who can be reached by contacting the Fs use conse- of their choice to alcohol and drugs. and 90 percent of campus rapes occur when alcohol has been used by the victim or the assailant. The Peer Mentoring program has been in effect since the end of October and is ready to accept more volunteer mentors. Bell ensures drat the programs is completely confidential and lacks any power differential. Bell said the asset of the peer mentoring program is tiiat the theme of peer mentoring is relational learning, learning within the context of a relationship.C even arguments. The best advice I can give you is to try to find some middle ground where you and your roommate agree to disagree. Along with that, resolve not to discuss politics if they are bothering you this drastically. Why has it brought such contention? Are each of you just trying to convince the other of your beliefs? You may as well be trying to teach your friend to fly its not going to happen. Ask yourself some questions: Who is causing the problem? Whats more important, your friendship or influencing one else to think the way you do? Will it make, that much of a difference in the end? Also, realize that people have their own beliefs, and they are entitled to them. They dont have to agree with you, and you dont have to agree with them. Nobody has to be right, after all, thats what politics arc all about. Some people lose sight of the fact that we can discuss our beliefs, and the political system is designed to support the beliefs of the majority. We may not always accept it. -- Mr. F Do you have problems in your life, questions about friendships or dating dilemmas? Each week in The Forum, Ms. and Mr. F provide students Ms. and Mr. F with your queswith real answers to real problems. dillemmas to: advicewestminstcrcollege.edu, or tions, comments or write to The Forum, Converse 201. All correspondence with Ms. and Mr. F is anonymous and confidential. |