Tuesday, November 5th is a big day coming up in United States history; it is election day of 2024, and Peer Counseling is here to help! While we all have different stances, opinions, and arguments, the conversations going around about differing political opinions have been unmindful of what other students may be feeling and thinking. Regarding one’s opposite political views, it’s important to remember that respect is not only a part of our “Be a SHARK” motto, it’s a value that should always be implemented in not only a student’s life, but everyone’s.
With that being said, dealing with disrespect and knowing that their opinion can’t be heard without confrontation can be a stressful situation for students, and Santiago has an outlet for that: Peer Counseling. Peer Counseling is a student-run leadership group that holds the value of kindness at its core and was implemented to help students deal with these kinds of situations. This group has a central goal of creating a more inclusive and respectful environment on campus. When asked for a statement about the following questions about Peer Counseling’s values and what to do about the political tensions on campus, here’s what President Lamia Khamis and the Peer Counseling team had to say:”
Peer Counseling: What’s it All About?
“Peer Counseling is a leadership class that trains Peer Mentors to support their fellow students on campus. Peer Mentors cultivate a safe environment, listen without judgment to our fellow students, and offer guidance in dealing with their circumstances while providing resources to get more help. This is done through campaigns and building connections among our peers on campus to foster a welcoming community built on the foundations of kindness and acceptance”.
Peers is a group of students who share one common goal: to make the campus a better place. Creating a safe environment that is free of any judgment and bias is a goal of this team, and if a student is struggling with any of these ideas, guidance and resources are available to help.
How can kindness be promoted on campus with the upcoming election and various opinions?
“If the discussion surrounding political opinions or the upcoming elections arise, as students and peers we should make sure to be open-minded and respectful. To promote acceptance and kindness, we must try and understand each other’s backgrounds and perspectives- we are all human, and political opinions should not determine a person’s character. Remember that if you can have a personal opinion, others can too!”
It’s important to remember that Santiago is a place to learn, a place to make friends, and a place to make memories that will last a lifetime. Political opinions, or any opinion for that matter, should not get in the way of how students treat one another. An ideal campus could emerge from being mindful of another student’s background, culture, and circumstances.
Peer Counseling is here to help students create a safe, kind, judgment-free environment that will help Santiago students reach their full potential as students and as people of society. Be sure to contact the Peer Counseling team if you or someone you know is struggling, or even just pay them a visit! When discussing political controversies, keep in mind that a person is entitled to their respective stance and opinion. Be sure to remember that while having a voiced opinion is a crucial form of self-expression, we must all remember that respect comes first on campus and always.
