Amanda Rivetti
Counselors have a new way to reach busy Pierce College students.
Instead of waiting for students to come in with questions, the counselors are going out to students with answers.
For the month of May, walk-up counseling will be available to anyone on campus from 11 a.m. to noon, Tuesday through Friday in front of the Freudian Sip.
The counselors will be answering academic questions only. Any personal counseling questions will be referred to the health center.
Class schedules, college catalogues and transfer requirements will be available to students during the outside counseling hours.
During the hour that counselor Sue Buchbinder worked behind two tables set up outside the coffee house doors, she was able to hand out schedules to more than 60 students.
“I’m reaching people who don’t walk into [the counseling office],” said Buchbinder. “The Freudian Sip is such a popular location for students that it would be a good idea to catch as many students going to and from class.”
The 2006-07 catalog which is sold for $2.50 in the bookstore, will be given away free along with the summer schedule. Buchbinder considered bringing candy to attract students but she said free catalogs were enticing enough.
Sitting at the tables outside the Freudian Sip with friends, freshman Raquel Abrahamian walked up to the counseling table with transferring questions she forgot to get answered the day before when she went into the counseling office.
“It’s the greatest thing they can do,” said Abrahamian. “When you have someone conveniently waiting here, you can ask them questions.
“Usually there are lines in the office,” she said. “This is an easier trip.”
More than 10 other students took advantage of the convenient counseling, asking question about transfer requirements and financial aid.
Eating lunch with friends, freshman Lizbeth Becerra was able to get an answer without even getting out of her chair.
“It was open and very comfortable,” sadi Becerra, who enjoyed the outdoor setting more than being inside an office.
Buchbinder, who has been a counselor at Pierce since 1974, said, “The school is at its best. We’re on a continual upward swing looking for new ideas.” So far, the new outside counseling idea is a complete success, according to Buchbinder.