The Student Activities Center's Guest Consulting Program kicked off its second year of operation yesterday in a continuing effort to provide support for student organizations.
The program's primary function, student involvement intern Lesley-Anne Pittard said, consists of providing a guest counselor almost every weekday in the Student Activities Center. The counselor, a University faculty or staff member, is available to answer any questions students may have involving on-Grounds organizations or leadership.
The program began last year in conjunction with the opening of the Student Activities Center. This year, Hurricane Isabel delayed the start of the program, but yesterday marked the first day counselors were available to answer questions.
Often, students are unaware of how to take advantage of resources available to them, Pittard said.
"Because of student self-governance, there's so much freedom and space, so sometimes students aren't sure about who to go to for help," she said.
Counselors provide advice and can help guide students to resources for problems ranging from fundraising to leading meetings effectively.
Guest Counselor LaTasha Levy said she and other advisors have already worked informally with students in the Center. This year the program aims to provide a structured program that students can easily participate in.
"Last year it was kind of developmental," Pittard said. "This year, to make it efficient, we've tried to make it consistent."
Guest counselors now are always available from 4 to 5 p.m. at the same location. A calendar inside the entrance of the Center shows which of the 19 counselors is on the duty each day.
Each day of the week has a particular theme. For example, guest counselors can specifically deal with "Developing a New CIO" on Monday or "Event Planning" on Wednesday.
To recruit guest counselors, Pittard e-mailed University faculty and held an open house for interested counselors. Many counselors said they have previously assisted student organizations in the past.
Levy said that, as director of the Luther P. Jackson Cultural Center, she advised black student organizations.
"We formalized [the program] this year," Levy said. "For me, it is a good opportunity to make myself available to all students."
Several faculty members who assisted with the program's creation also serve as guest counselors. Karen Pitts, assistant director for programs at Newcomb Hall and the University Programs Council, said her position made her an ideal advisor for students interested in event planning and organizational development.
Pitts added that many guest counselors were available outside of the daily advising time.
"All of the guest advisors are down there," Pitts said. "We're there for a variety of hours, and we're around and available in the [Center] to help people if they're looking for something."
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