Pointless Questions With Aaron Mucciolo

Yeah, so I was told by an acquaintance that this column was “really funny.” I’m going to assume it was a compliment…

How can I get someone to go to an AA meeting?

Okay, full disclosure here—this wasn’t sent in to me, but I heard it on the radio the other night and figured it would be well worth passing on.

There are three main ways to deal with someone you know who has an addiction. The most highly recommended is for you yourself to go to AA meetings, or a related group such as Adult Children of Alcoholics. Even if you don’t have an addiction (or the person you are concerned about is not a parent but a friend or other relative) these groups can help you learn how to help your friend or relative and can help keep you from enabling or making excuses that could hurt more than help.

You could also hire an interventionist (a professional trained in these kinds of situations) who will help you, and any other concerned parties, to rehearse and implement an intervention—effectively an ambush where you confront the person with your concerns and urge them to seek help.

Your final alternative is to leave the relationship and to make it know to the person that you are leaving because of their problem and that you can’t be a part of their life unless they get better.

If you’re still torn after reading these options, stop by Counseling Services in Peters. The Center has drop-in hours Monday and Tuesday from 11 a.m. to noon and Wednesday through Friday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. You can also make an appointment, usually for a few days from when you stop in.

How can I see a copy of my student record?

It depends on which records in particular you want to see. For your academic records, check with the Office of Student Academic Affairs in Peters 127. If you want to check on your judicial record—including security reports or incident reports from RAs which won’t necessarily be released to grad schools—see Dean Stackman in Wilder 105. The registrar also keeps most of your original application on file for your first year, and then keeps a partial file for the rest of your time at Oberlin.

Next week: Answers to long-standing questions about garlic and beetles, and find out how you too can assume the Presidency of these United States.

How easy is it to ask a question, you ask? Soooo easy. Email aaron.mucciolo@oberlin.edu or, if anonymity is really your game, drop a note to the Mooch, c/o The Oberlin Review, Wilder Box 90..