As we welcome our new students into the college community, we sometimes observe that differences in students' social expectations may lead to and create social discomfort or moral dilemmas for others. Many younger first-year students find it stressful and difficult to adjust to college life, particularly if they are coming directly from a high school environment. College life presents new challenges; different academic expectations in a new and often larger environment. Without the predictable support systems of home, family and friends, some students find this sudden exposure to new cultures and ways of life overwhelming.

For us as instructors, this becomes an increasingly difficult problem since our first obligation is to instruct our students, but equally, we must do so by encouraging our students to understand that their whole world has changed; what was acceptable in high school is often not accepted within this new adult environment. We are there to guide our students into adulthood, to point them toward resources within our college community that can further assist in this period of growth. For our students away from home for the first time, this can present even greater stresses. Some of our students try to cling to old ways, others act out inappropriately, and some just struggle or even suffer in silence.

The stressors of going away to college, and all of the newness that goes with it, can suddenly leave people without their predictable social network that once seemed so comfortable. Sometimes new students try to recreate these environments and will go to extremes to exert themselves. While college life is about learning and growth, it is also about learning what behaviour is acceptable in an adult society. Sometimes behaviours that seemed "popular" in high school are now completely unacceptable in this new environment. This may lead to significant problems for our students and the consequences can be life-long, possibly interrupting a smooth journey to an otherwise promising academic career.

While the college has excellent Human Rights Policies and Procedures, it is often a more unclear, grey area that we must deal with prior to promoting or enacting these policies. Our students often fail to realize that off campus, they are still representatives of our Fanshawe community and their actions can be viewed in that light.

London and region has a very vibrant and active Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Two-Spirit, Queer, Questioning and Intersex (LGB2SQQI) community. This group of people can include your coworkers, your instructors, lab technicians, field placement supervisors or fellow classmates. The reality is that you may never know who they are, but a negative comment or response to others in this new community can have negative repercussions on a student who fails to exercise a sense of decorum and restraint.

Popular comments such as "That is so gay!" are now viewed in a different light, regardless of the context in which they were spoken. Certain other behaviours, derogatory words or name-calling, brought to college from one's previous life, may have serious repercussions within this new adult environment. In short, that kind of language and behaviour is no longer acceptable.

Considering the diverse cultural variety in our college community, we also must be sensitive to the cultures and religious concerns of our global community. We can no longer jokingly malign another group of people because of their race, religion, age, gender or culture, and we must learn to respect and accept those who are different from us. Equally, our foreign students must do the same.

A night at the pub, whether on or off campus, can have catastrophic consequences. We can never forget that "no means NO"! It doesn't mean maybe — ever! Sexual violence can land any of us on the wrong side of the law. And yes, girls can also be perpetrators. Each of us wants to be treated with dignity and respect, and in order for us to acquire that, we also must be willing to extend the same to others. It is not a one-way street, nor are there any acceptable excuses for violating this basic tenet — none.

As I stated earlier, part of our jobs as faculty and staff is to assist all students in their growth. We are here to help, and we don't view your education as something that only occurs in a classroom. For our LGB2SQQI students, any of the staff or faculty who have taken the Positive Space Program are wellpositioned to assist, and confidentiality is assured. You are not alone and you should never have to feel you are. Our goal as trained members of the Positive Space Ally Program is to assist you in resolving problems you may have before they become major issues for you or your fellow students. We are also happy to help connect you with college and community resources that are welcoming, inclusive and respectful.

For students who fail to "think" before speaking, don't be surprised if you are quietly corrected so that your success as an adult in this new world is assured. Again, we are there to help you; yes, we all make mistakes, and sometimes an intermediary can smooth out the bumps of misunderstanding.

In conclusion, I want to welcome our new students and welcome back our returning students! We hope you learn from each other as much as you learn from us. The diversity that our college community offers and the life lessons you will learn are immeasurable and potentially rewarding and refreshing.

In accepting those who walk different paths in life, even if we don't understand them, we step out of our "comfort zones" and potentially expand our world. By capitalizing on opportunities to connect with and learn from diverse cultures and customs, we will all be successful in both our academic career and in life.