Next semester's incoming freshman women will be getting two letters over the summer: one from their male FAC, and another from their female "mentor," provided by the newly-founded Duke Women's Awareness Program.
The program, co-founded by Trinity senior Jane Mendez and Trinity juniors Alison Michalik and Amy Wenzel, is being formed in response to "an overwhelming need to make first-year women aware of the social situations they are facing," Mendez said.
The program is intended to alert and educate freshman women on social issues such as eating disorders, sexual harassment and assault, date rape, "cattle drives" and alcohol abuse.
"It's unfortunate that these issues need to be addressed separately and can't be incorporated into other programs, but the students have spoken out that we do need this program," said Sue Wasiolek, dean of student life.
The issues will be approached through such presentations as plays, speakers, picnics and group discussions, which would take place early in the first semester. Also, during the second week of classes, freshman women will get together in small groups with their mentor to discuss what they have experienced at the University so far, Michalik said.
Upperclass women would then be available to their assigned freshman women throughout the year to discuss personal issues and share experiences, Mendez said.
"The main concern is that the upperclass women be available, and that first-year women know they can turn to them for help," Mendez said.
"We're not anti-greek or anti-fraternity, we just want first-year women to know what they might encounter at a `cattle drive' or a keg party so they can make their own educated decisions."
The upperclass women would not be expected to serve as counselors for severe problems, but would be able to refer freshman women to professional services and counseling if necessary, Mendez said.
Upperclass women who volunteer for the program would attend training sessions at the start of the semester, Mendez said.
The program would differ from the Freshman Advisory Counselor program in that it is intended just for women and would pair freshman women with upperclass women instead of men. The program would also feature groups of six freshman women from the same dorm for every upperclass woman, but would be a different group of women than the FAC group, Michalik said.
The program is being supported by administration, but administrators stress that it is still in the pilot stage and will be student-run.
"This is principally a student initiative," said Janet Dickerson, vice president for student affairs. "The administration is funding this project, but it is one that needs more creativity than money in order to be successful."
The response among female undergraduates has been "overwhelming," Mendez said. More than 150 women have already signed up for interviews.
Many freshman women think the program will be very beneficial in helping ease the adjustment to the college social scene.
"I like that your FAC is the opposite sex, but there are a lot of things I would feel very uncomfortable asking a male about," said Trinity freshman Marisa Fraraccio.
The program could also help foster more interaction between freshman and upperclass women. "Since your FAC is male, you really don't have any real interaction with upperclass women until sorority rush, and many women choose not to rush," said Trinity freshman Nicole Chasen.
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