Same faces, new names
Erica Johnson
Issue date: 9/16/02 Section: Features
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What's in a name? A lot. How we choose to label ourselves signals to the world what we're about. Puff Daddy became P. Diddy to give himself a fresh start after his 2001 acquittal on gun and bribery charges. Prince experimented with that unpronounceable symbol to get the world's attention. And the importance of the right name is not limited to the world of entertainment. Here at Hood, two major organizations - Peer Counselors and Vanguards - have changed their names in order to clarify what they're all about.
Starting this year, the group formerly known as Peer Counselors will be known as Peer Supporters. "It's not a big change," said Mary Ann Kerins, director of counseling services. "The new name is a more accurate reflection of what they're doing."
It's also more legally appropriate. The use of the term counselor carries with it liability, which is not a good idea for people who aren't licensed. Kerins, who is a licensed clinical professional counselor herself, said, "In Maryland, you must be certified to use the title counselor." Although their names have changed, Peer Supporters do the same job they did before.
RaMeicha Cooks, a senior and veteran peer supporter, said, "We're still trained to handle the same issues - personal problems, roommate conflicts and crises. I think our new slogan says it all: 'New Name, New Faces; Same Support'."
A desire to specify their role on campus also led the Vanguards to change their name. "If you actually look up 'vanguard' in the dictionary it means the troops at the frontline in the military. We're not the military, and that really doesn't say what we do. So we changed it to STAR - Student Team of Admissions Representatives," said STAR President Julie Pacilli. "This does not mean a change to our program. It's just about getting our name on campus so people actually know who we are and what we do."
STAR advisor Kelly Cross said, "In my opinion, STAR, without a doubt, is the most important organization on campus. To keep this campus going and flourishing, we need an excited incoming class."
Cross, who is also assistant director of admissions, said, "I can admit prospective students. I can be as friendly as possible, suggest financial aid packages, talk with them every day and answer every question; but what sells them is when they visit this campus and meet our STARs. Visiting students always comment on their friendliness. It's such a scary and unsettling time trying to figure out where you'll live for the next four years, but when you feel at ease and comfortable, that decision is made for you."
"We're more than just tour guides," said Chanda Gilmore, STAR's tour guide coordinator. "We're supported by Hood's admissions office and we help prospective students to experience Hood through our eyes." However, some students dislike the name change. Junior Carol Weber said, "I don't like the name change because I think Vanguards sounds more traditional and professional. STARs just doesn't have that same quality."
Starting this year, the group formerly known as Peer Counselors will be known as Peer Supporters. "It's not a big change," said Mary Ann Kerins, director of counseling services. "The new name is a more accurate reflection of what they're doing."
It's also more legally appropriate. The use of the term counselor carries with it liability, which is not a good idea for people who aren't licensed. Kerins, who is a licensed clinical professional counselor herself, said, "In Maryland, you must be certified to use the title counselor." Although their names have changed, Peer Supporters do the same job they did before.
RaMeicha Cooks, a senior and veteran peer supporter, said, "We're still trained to handle the same issues - personal problems, roommate conflicts and crises. I think our new slogan says it all: 'New Name, New Faces; Same Support'."
A desire to specify their role on campus also led the Vanguards to change their name. "If you actually look up 'vanguard' in the dictionary it means the troops at the frontline in the military. We're not the military, and that really doesn't say what we do. So we changed it to STAR - Student Team of Admissions Representatives," said STAR President Julie Pacilli. "This does not mean a change to our program. It's just about getting our name on campus so people actually know who we are and what we do."
STAR advisor Kelly Cross said, "In my opinion, STAR, without a doubt, is the most important organization on campus. To keep this campus going and flourishing, we need an excited incoming class."
Cross, who is also assistant director of admissions, said, "I can admit prospective students. I can be as friendly as possible, suggest financial aid packages, talk with them every day and answer every question; but what sells them is when they visit this campus and meet our STARs. Visiting students always comment on their friendliness. It's such a scary and unsettling time trying to figure out where you'll live for the next four years, but when you feel at ease and comfortable, that decision is made for you."
"We're more than just tour guides," said Chanda Gilmore, STAR's tour guide coordinator. "We're supported by Hood's admissions office and we help prospective students to experience Hood through our eyes." However, some students dislike the name change. Junior Carol Weber said, "I don't like the name change because I think Vanguards sounds more traditional and professional. STARs just doesn't have that same quality."