• At an inter-college sporting event recently, sexist and racist comments were made in a chant by another college's supporters. We think that this behaviour is appauling, but don't know what we can do to stop it. Any advice?
• My committee is halfway through its year and there has been a lot of infighting amongst ourselves. Some committee members are ignoring their responsibilities. I am the Vice-President, and I don't know how to handle it! What should I do?
• One of my residents has come forward to me and confessed that they are feeling really bad, and are considering committing suicide. They asked me not to tell anyone about it, but I’m concerned for their safety. Is there anything I can do?
• I would really like to get our college involved in community events to raise awareness about enviromental issues or getting involved in a charitable organisation. But our college doesn't have much money! What can we do?

Your Questions Answered

At an inter-college sporting event recently, sexist and racist comments were made in a chant by another college's supporters. We think that this behaviour is appauling, but don't know what we can do to stop it. Any advice?

It is great that your college has recognized such behaviour is unacceptable. Even if not all students find such comments offensive, some residents will be uncomfortable – and this may mean they similar inter-collegiate events in the future; or they may drop out of college entirely. So how to prevent this…

A general Intercollegiate Council or the Council that organized the event would be the ideal forum to raise this issue. The view of the college should be made clear to your college's representative for that council, to make sure that they can accurately represent your feelings, and you should ask them to have it put on the agenda for the next meeting. If you feel it is appropriate you might even consider sending someone else along to speak on the issue, if this is acceptable practice for the relevant council.

At the meeting the representative should outline the college's problems with the behaviour and have it raised for general discussion. Depending on the incident in question – you may think it is appropriate for those responsible to suffer repercussions. A common response would be to request an apology letter be sent from particular individuals involved to residents of your college, or all other colleges.

In addition, to prevent similar offensive behaviour each representative on their council should return to their respective colleges and report back the view that such behaviour is unacceptable (in their own Student Club meetings and at General Meetings of the whole student club). In addition, you might propose that the Council include in its rules for similar events - rules against such actions and consequences such as point loss or disqualification for colleges whose members (including supporters) make similar offensive comments in the future. This can have a two fold effect, because if those within the college believe the behaviour is acceptable (which appears likely given it is the college chant) they are unlikely to prevent their fellow collegians from making such comments – but by imposing a punishment for the entire college then the individuals responsible will face pressure not to use the chant in the future

If you don't have an intercollegiate council who can deal with this issue – you could draft a letter to be sent to the offending college expressing your view, or could arrange a meeting between your president and the president at the relevant college – so that they can discuss it, and the college can try and prevent the use of the chant through student leaders. If the student leaders feel they cannot control the use of the chant, you can try a long term preventative measure by suggesting that they take a stance against such chants in future O'Week inductions and educate all incoming collegians that such actions are unacceptable

You might also consider approaching your intercollegiate Heads of College Association and ask them to adopt a policy banning such offensive behaviour – you are likely to gain their support in this matter – and they may be able to enforce punitive measures against offenders, and may ban the use of the offensive chant, and enforce the recommended preventative measures in O'Week.

If you wish to channel your complaint through the University, there are normally trained University Advisers trained in these issues - such as a Sexual Harassment Adviser or and Anti Discrimination Adviser. They will be able to discuss possible strategies for resolving the issue and will advise you of your rights under law.

- Renee Carr

If you do not have an ICC available or do not wish to use this as your avenue of redress:

If someone (understandably) takes offense to a chant on racial or sexual grounds, it is quite serious. In order to maintain good intercollegiate relationships and to deal with issues independently of higher powers, I think the matter would be best taken up with student leadership. Calling the college making the complaint "college 1" and the college with the chant "college 2". Those who took offense may choose to approach student leadership and discuss the matter, identifying what was of particular concern to them. As is the the role of student leadership (as representatives of the college that elected them) the student making the complaint should expect action.

The first step could be a formal letter. The letter should be from the student leadership and keep the individual making the com[laint anonymous (should they desire this). The letter should contain details of the what offense was caused and how specifically. It should also request some form of action, but leave it open-ended so as the receiving college (2) leadership is aware that action is to be taken, but are left to discuss the best path forward.

The receiving college (2) leadership should then discuss the issue, the origin of the chant and whether it could cause offense. Having said that, regardless of whether they feel it causes offense or not, someone has been offended and therefore action must be taken. They should send a letter in response which includes what action the college has chosen to take. Should the individual making the complaint (or the leadership representing them) be dissatisfied, alternative methods should be pursued. The college (1) should respond to the letter of college 2. This may express thanks or dissatisfaction. If dissatisfaction is the case, then included with this college 1 may choose to make college 2 aware that they plan to take it to college administration - an undesirable action - if further progress cannot be made. This all seems a bit hostile, and shouldn't reach the stage where admin has to become involved.

- Jesse Zanker

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My committee is halfway through its year and there has been a lot of infighting amongst ourselves. Some committee members are ignoring their responsibilities. I am the Vice-President, and I don't know how to handle it! What should I do?

What you need to remember is that res clubs are para professional organisations and the people in your committee usually have no incentives to do thier job. The president of the res club should have a list of what each person needs to do for that year and should be making regualar checks on each member. Depending on your constitution your role as Vice President is not to tell the other members their responsibilities but to help out the president and 'get on their back' when they are not doing their job.

As a Vice President I would not recommend that you undermine your president and start telling your res club what they should be doing. But if you and your president are acting as a united front in reminding the res club of their responsibilities that creates a strong sence of conradary from the top of your res club which hopefully will be passed on to the others.

From this situation I suggest that you re assess what you want to achieve as a res club and if some of the current members still want to be part of the committee. Goal setting sessions can either be done internally or get an external body to assist such as a professional develolpmental agency such as NAAUC. It is not unusual to replace someone mid year.

What the members need is the same insperation that they had when they started. It is up to you as part of the executive to find that.

Infighting - I would suggest the same method i just described but it depends if they are personal vendettas or if they have sprung because of committee related issues. These have to be dealt with on a case by case basis but there is no reason that a committee that doesnt get along cant still achieve miracles.

by Nathan Eva

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One of my residents has come forward to me and confessed that they are feeling really bad, and are considering committing suicide. They asked me not to tell anyone about it, but I’m concerned for their safety. Is there anything I can do?

It is fantastic that you have been able to have this conversation with a resident. Clearly, you are approachable, trustworthy and supportive. Otherwise they would not have approached you in the first instance.

However, what must be remembered here is that no student is a professional psychologist, and no-one should feel pressure to deal with such severe and complicated mental health issues as the prospect of suicide.

It is important for you to act discreetly. If there is a concern expressed by the resident about other people finding out about their current emotional state it is clear that you should not be talking about this situation with mates down at the pub. Instead, where possible, talk to your resident and explain to them the situation. Say that you have a genuine concern for their health and wellbeing and you feel that you have to talk to someone else about it. Provide suggestions of the people who you might talk to about this situation, and let them choose the people they feel most comfortable with. Giving them control over the flow of information will enhance the trust that they have for you, rather than diminish it.

Two free professional resources which you could suggest may include accessing counselling on campus, or through Lifeline on 13 11 14. You can suggest that you might book the appointment with a counsellor for them, or that you might call up Lifeline and talk together on speakerphone if they would feel more comfortable with that. Additionally, you might give them a factsheet from ReachOut! to provide them with a few suggestions of what steps they may take from here.

If they are uninterested in that support, things become a little bit more complicated. Privacy and confidentiality are very complex areas, but it is my opinion that as with any health concern, as soon as you feel that there exists a real or immediate threat to a resident's health and wellbeing you should act with discretion to inform a relevant person above you in the college hierarchy in a manner that is appropriate. That may be someone on college staff who is responsible for welfare of students, or it may be a student leader who has a pastoral care responsibility.

The reality is that these sorts of incidents are not that uncommon. Suicide is prevalent among the college population and more often than not there will be detailed action plans for responding to such incidents for your college staff. Although you may sometimes feel you can't scratch yourself without college gossip informing everyone, I feel sure your Dean, Principal, Head or Master will have dealt with several other incidences similar to this in a discreet and confidential manner.

Finally, if the whole deal starts to frazzle you a little that's completely normal too. Looking after yourself really important, but sometimes in sensitive situations like this, it can be not such a good idea to talk with your mates about it. This is where it is important to practice what you preach. If you feel upset, stressed, or uncomfortable at any stage make sure you drop into your counselling service just to debrief and talk about what's on your mind.

by Mathew Bock

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I would really like to get our college involved in community events to raise awareness about enviromental issues or getting involved in a charitable organisation. But our college doesn't have much money! What can we do?

Well in my opinion you shouldnt need a budget to run community service events. Some of the most simple ways you an help out a charity is by taking part in their yearly events. For example, get students at your college involved with 40 hour famine, sell badges and ribbons for breast cancer, or on daffodil day. These items can be easily obtained by contacting the respective charities.

You could enter a team in an event such as "Relay For Life", or host a massive party where all the profits go towards a charity or you could host a charity breakfast and invite college alumni and well known dignitaries in your local area, this  would raise awarness and you can set a cover charge that goes to the charity of your choice. The Red Cross is always in search of blood so why not start up an inter-college blood drive?

As far as raising environmental concerns nothing beats getting your hands dirty and doing some tree planting, just contact your local government and see where you can do some planting, if you do this on National Tree Day you should be able to get your hands on some plants for free. Also if you're looking to save the whales, or any other endangered species do what college students do best, DRESS UP! Get a large group of people together and run through the CBD collecting money to save the animals (make sure the people get something for their money, like a brochure on what their helping or badge etc.)

Also, try and be creative, if their isnt a charity event that takes your fancy or you find them all too boring then make up your own! Organise a three-legged race through the city to raise awareness for the plight of endangered sea turtles, the crazier the stunt is the more awareness you will raise (if you want more publicicty get your local paper or TV station involved).

My opinion is that rather than spending time and money talking about the problem, you can spend that time fixing the problem, make sure you get noticed and then people will want to know more about the charity or cause your working so hard for.

Good Luck!!

by Nigel Clifford

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