College students recently delivered from the womb of adolescence have often found themselves prey for obsessive and potentially dangerous organizations.
A council of concerned Ohio State faculty members inspired by this vulnerability initiated the drafting of a brochure titled "Protect Yourself from High Pressure Groups."
Matthew Couch, assistant director of the Ohio Union and a council member, said colleagues at other universities having developed a similar brochure prompted this effort in 2002.
"We thought the message would be relevant and helpful for our students too," Couch said.
Dr. Louise Douce, director of Counseling and Consultation Services and also a council member, said the diverse membership of the council included faculty from Student Affairs, the Student Advocacy Center, Counseling and Consultation Services, Housing and Residence Halls, the Student Wellness Center and the University Interfaith Association.
"A group of us got together to talk about what we mean by a cult, what constitutes a cult and what kind of advice can we give," Douce said.
The brochure has been in circulation since 2003 offering assistance to students who may encounter cults on campus.
According to the brochure, there a several organized and informal organizations that use high-pressure recruiting tactics. The flyer helps to identify possible high-pressure organizations with a lists of characteristics of its nature and affect.
Douce said there are two groups that can qualify as a high-pressure group: religious and financial.
"We went with the concept of high-pressure group because they are not always religion-based, there are some that are financial-based. They can be any group that wants to essentially gain control of who you are and what you do and how you operate," Douce said. "Students should recognize the signs of when any group tries to severely limit your contact with other people, or requires you devote all of your time or revere another human being - that's a mistake."
Spring Break
