"There are times when you can't help people." Rusnak says, adding. "You can give people information, but you can't make the decisions, even though there are times when people want you to make their decisions yourself. It's frustrating to have to step back, we're not going to do that."
Orza elaborates on the difference between information and advice. "I think some things are very straightforward, like how do you put in a diaphragm? Or, what are the side effects of the Pill? But with the grayer areas, like, should I be involved in this sexual relationship? I do feel uncomfortable: I don't give advice. I listen a lot, I try to make the person find their own answers."
"It's really dangerous for people to pretend they have all the answers. It's important not to be on a power trip, to be humble."
Some people do press the counselors for advice, however, and one staffer says. "If they press you, it's probably because they're really confused. That's all the more reason not to give them advice."
The most rewarding aspect of counseling, most agree, was helping people to understand the issues better, and to find their own answers.
"The best thing is getting people to deal with the fact that they're sexually active, and feel comfortable with what they're doing," one women says, adding. "A lot of people pretend to themselves that they're not sexually active. But by seeking contraception, they're admitting that they are, and [facing] the risk of getting pregnant."
But she says that for all the people who do seek counseling, there are more who are reluctant to ask for help "I wish people wouldn't guess so much about birth control issues. There's never been a stupid question It's hard not to pick up the phone."
Rusnak adds. "No question is ever ridiculous Just because we go to Harvard doesn't mean we should know everything."
All of the counselors cited the low profile of the counseling group as a major problem. "I don't know how we're perceived: I wish we were perceived, says one member.
Orza, who was the author of the health and sexuality survey distributed to all undergraduate women earlier this fall, says she expected the responses would help explain why the group is "under-utilized."
Some counselors suggest that the fact that their office is located under the roof of UHS might deter some students from visiting, particularly if they are worried about confidentiality, and don't want to be seen seeking advice about contraception. But this situation will be ameliorated "probably before next semester," according to Orza, who says that the group will have a new office, separate from UHS, elsewhere in Holyoke Center.
There was no clear consensus on what the counselors felt their image among the community is.
"That's tough," says Brainard, explaining. "It depends on with whom you're speaking. The way people view us depends on their view of sex. If they're against it, they think we're somehow promoting it. That's not the case at all we just give information: it's important to have that information available."
But once people become aware that a certain student is a peer counselor, they approach him or her outside of the office much more frequently.
"This service is badly needed." Rusnak says, adding. "People should be able to talk about it wherever they need it I don't need an office to be a counselor." She adds that she has even made a point of letting others know she is available for information.
"I'm in Bio 109 ["Issues in Women's Health"], and I've done some talks there in sections, and some women have come to talk to me outside of class With office hours, we're not always accessible Off-duty, as many if not more men as women come to talk."
She adds that despite the common opinion that Harvard students "know everything," this knowledge does not extend to contraception.
"As educated in certain areas as this community is, in others they lack exposure, and birth control is one of them People in our society are assumed to be so bright and savvy that they're intimidated, they don't want to admit that they don't know something about birth control