How to properly end a relationship is the focus of a program being taught to students at SUNY-Delhi in response to Title IX reports of post-break-up harassment. The program at the New York college started with freshmen orientation, according to Campus Reform, but workshops are now being offered throughout the school year to students at no cost. The university’s student life workers have been training additional staff on the program.
“We felt we needed more of a focus specifically on how to end a relationship because people need to know a fair amount about the importance of communication and mutual respect,” said Lori Osterhoudt, campus director of counseling and health services in a New Magazine article.
Students are instructed on how to breakup in a way that both parties walk away peacefully. They are advised not to change their social media status to single right away, not to say “I just need to find myself. I need space for awhile,” to use “I” instead of “me,” when confronting someone and to find an activity or hobby to take their mind off of the situation.
“…A lot of things are … I don’t want to say common sense, because that seems condescending. But they are,” said Osterhoudt in an article in the Science of US.
The program is also part of “BroncoCHECK-ing” where students are taught to step in if they see risky behavior taking place.
