RAPline offers music, support

A capella groups, improvisational comedy, donuts and coffee were among the highlights of the Reach-A-Peer Hotline's coffeehouse Friday night, where dozens of students gathered to relax, enjoy themselves and learn more about RAPline. "We are best able to provide service when people know we're there," said College senior Mara Rosenthal, the group's publicist, of the need to get the word out. "Having something like this gets our name out in a stress-free environment." As a group that values privacy above all, RAPline's services can be difficult to publicize, College senior Tariq Remtulla, the group's president, explained. RAPline is composed of a group of peer supporters who give students information and referrals for help with their particular emotional problem. One of RAPline's policies is that none of its members are known to the public. Students are only told the six board members' names when they ask for help. This allows callers to be more open when they are contacting the hotline. "Sometimes people feel more comfortable talking with people they don't know," Remtulla said. RAPline was established in 1990 by three students who had been involved in something similar in Los Angeles, and felt the need for it on Penn's campus. While it started out as a service open four days a week, it is now available seven days a week, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. There is also an on-line service, where the group responds within 72 hours to e-mailed requests for help or advice. Every staff member of RAPline goes through one semester of training, which amounts to over 40 hours. RAPline also brings in members of the different groups to which it directs students for help, to give presentations to prospective members. Another major part of training is role-playing. Remtulla stressed that it's very important that each member feels comfortable and qualified when they are helping their peers. "College-aged students have a lot of issues," said Remtulla. "We're deciding who we are and what we want to be. It is important for us to speak to people that we feel we can relate to." Four student groups volunteered to perform at the coffeehouse, and Xando and Dunkin Donuts provided coffee and snacks for the event. The a capella groups Dischord and Penny Loafers started off the evening with song, while the comedy improvisational troupe Without a Net, and Glee Club offshoot Pennchants ended the night with laughter. Those who attended seemed to be very pleased with RAPline. "It was a success," said College senior Maulik Shah. "They need more activities like this."