LGBA peer educators

Consistency

We write to respond to a letter that appeared regarding the LGBA peer education program ("Confused," Oct. 16).

The LGBA peer education program—comprised of LGB students and allies — strives to increase awareness and sensitivity toward LGB students at Princeton.

During these hour­long sessions the peer educators discuss personal experiences, in addition to other aspects of LGB life. These sessions are an opportunity to answer questions and begin conversations.

LGBA peer educators undergo intensive training, a large part of which is devoted to communication and group facilitation skills. There are no particular positions about LGB issues, which we expect peer educators to endorse.

We do, however, expect the peer educators­to examine their opinions on many different issues and to consider how best to communicate these views to others.

The peer educators are mindful that they themselves represent a variety of perspectives and sexual orientations, as do the people in the RA groups they are peer educating.

In unusual circumstances, new people who are supportive of the program's efforts wish to participate in these sessions. While we welcome the opportunity for different points of view to be expressed, these people, who are less familiar with the program, may occasionally express views which may not always be compatible with the program's intentions.

LGBA peer educators visited over 60 RA groups in the space of three weeks. We strive to maintain a level of consistency in each session.

However, having to peer educate such a large number of groups in such a short amount of time may mean that some sessions will invariably be more successful than others. It is also likely that some people present at these sessions will benefit more from them than others will.

We have received extremely positive feedback about the LGBA peer education program and consider it to be one of the most effective means at improving the campus climate.

We are always interested in hearing feedback about the program and learning about ways in which it can be improved. The peer educators are also open to hearing questions and comments both during and after the sessions.

While the 'Prince' is always a good forum for sharing different points of view about campus issues, we believe that communication is most effective when concerns about particular individuals are directed to those people.

Jen Handler
Office of the Dean of Student Life

Letter to the editors of The Daily Princetonian published on October 20, 1995.