Indiana University Bloomington

Campus Link Newsletter

Spring 2012

Crimson Corps Launched

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) has launched a “ bystander intervention” program on the IUB campus. Recognizing that students tend to turn first to their peers for advice and information, CAPS applied for and received Parents’ Fund support to pilot an initial program to prepare a group of students to intervene in a helpful manner when other students might be in trouble. Corps members are trained in non-judgmental, empathic listening and referral skills.

Reflecting a hunger on the part of students to be of assistance to fellow students more than 200 students applied to be a part of Crimson Corps. Forty carefully selected and trained IUB undergraduate students of diverse backgrounds are now ready to hit the ground.

Clad in red sweatshirts, which the group chose and designed the identifying message for, Corps members will first assist CAPS with outreach programming. One of their first tasks involved assisting with our Celebrate Your Body week activities, designed to promote health body image. They will help with the IU Student Association’s Culture of Care week and the popular De Stress activities done in conjunction with the IU Health Center’s Health and Wellness Department and the Wells Library.

As word of their presence on campus spreads, they will be available in residence halls and places where students informally congregate for any student to approach with questions or just to talk. They have monthly brush up training sessions and the CAPS director is available to them for an hour a week for consultation.

We anticipate both researching and expanding the program in the future. Student interest continues as we are still receiving applications from students who want to be a part of the Corps.

Nancy Stockton, director
CaPS