by Raechel Fittante
Staff Writer
Due to posters and sign advertisements around school, about 30 people poured into the Student Center last Friday night at 7 p.m. eager for a presentation on dating which was designed to enlighten students on ways to promote successful relationships. Many were disappointed, though, when the workshop was cancelled.
Creative Dating, a workshop put on through the Coleman Production Agency, was originally intended to take place during Wellness Week, but has been postponed to an undetermined future date.
Arriving late on the scene at 7:45 p.m., John Johnson, the speaker of the Creative Dating program, offered to put on the show, but it was decided that since the program thrives on audience participation, Creative Dating would be more successful if postponed to a date in which more students were involved.
“I’m used to performing in front of a larger group of at least 75-100 people,” Johnson said.
Creative Dating is a program which involves not only a guest speaker, but also consists of a videotape presentation, a slide show and imaginative handouts.
Melissa Jaunal, coordinator of student programs, said, “The audience would have left with over 250 dating ideas, while better understanding their options. We were very disappointed that it did not go through last Friday.”
As the intended finale to Wellness Week, the Creative Dating presentation was co-sponsored by Student Affairs, Student Life, Campus Ministry, Residential Life, the Leadership Education and Development ( LEAD) program and the Drug and Alcohol Prevention Center.
Those involved first-hand in making Creative Dating a reality at ULV were Jaunal, sophomore Josh Sherod, Catholic Campus Minister Jane Kirchner, Oaks Area Coordinator Cheri Martinson, Prevention Center Coordinator Tracy Germann, sophomore Nabeel Chiya and junior Amy Hartnett.
“We are not yet sure when we are going to reschedule the program. Orientation is a possibility,” Jaunal said.
Topics that the workshop covers include what makes dating easy or difficult, interpersonal dating communication, the effects of AIDS on a relationship, dating expectations, meeting others, ending a relationship and the last five minutes of a date known as the “showdown.” The seminar concludes with a brainstorming session, where ideas are randomly shared among the group and creative dates are developed.
The students who participate in Creative Dating should leave with a better understanding about each of the named issues and more insight to better prepare them for involvement in healthy relationships, regardless of the everyday stresses of college life. Although many students do not believe they have ample time, money, energy or resources to hold a successful relationship with another person, the Creative Dating Program thrives on teaching ways to educate students on their options.
The workshop focuses on ways to handle uncomfortable situations with dates through audience participation and dramatizations, and provides an opportunity for non-threatening dialogue between participants. By encouraging the creative thoughts and ideas of students, the workshop provides an opportunity for students to learn how to ease tension and uncertainty surrounding dating and relationships.
