The Division of Student Affairs in partnership with the Student Union is hosting a Wellness day on March 25. The day is meant to provide undergraduate and graduate students with “opportunities to explore student organizations and resources,” according to an email from Andrea Dine, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Shelby J. Harris, Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement and Campus Life.
“We recognize that the war, pandemic, and other crises have added to everyone’s stress – in addition to the regular anxiety about midterms, schoolwork, and life,” wrote Dorothy Hodgson, Dean of Arts and Sciences, in the March Undergraduate Newsletter. Due to these stressors, Hodgson encouraged that professors either cancel or reschedule their Friday classes so that students could participate in the Wellness Day events. Hodgson encouraged another alternative for professors to use their class time as a way to “promote a sense of belonging,” according to the email.
The university will be sponsoring multiple events for the Wellness Day including, CommuniTEA, Lawn Games and meet dogs from the Prevention Advocacy Resource Center (PARC) sponsored Carnival, according to the email. The focus of the event is to encourage self and community care and promote gathering and having fun on campus, according to the Programs and Events page.
Other events being held on the Wellness Day include a Zen Garden Craft Project, sponsored by the Office of Graduate Affairs being held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Grad Center. Community members will have the opportunity to make their own Zen garden at the event. The Division of Student Affairs will be sponsoring a CommuniTEA Wellness Event in tandem with We Wear Blue from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Blue Booths outside of the Shapiro Student Center. The event will be giving out free boba tea and ice cream, with vegan, dairy free and Kosher options.
Brandeis Athletics will be sponsoring Lawn Games out on the Soccer Field from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to allow students to enjoy outdoor activities and the spring weather. PARC will be hosting a carnival in the Fellows Garden from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. where students can play games and win prizes. At the carnival community members can play with dogs and learn about the resources PARC has to offer.
The Gender and Sexuality Center (GSC) will be having an Open Mic Night at the Stein. The event is being co-hosted by GSC, Triskelion, the Intercultural Center (ICC), Prevention, Advocacy & Resource Center (PARC) and the Student Sexuality Information Service (SSIS). The event intends to highlight queer trans and or BIPOC artists. The student union in partnership with the Dean of Students Office will be hosting a wellness walk on Wellness Day. The wellness walks will also be held on Friday, April 29 and May 6. Students, faculty and staff will be encouraged to walk with other community members to talk “candidly about their mental health and general wellness.” The walk will include peer-led discussions in small groups to encourage discussions around mental health.
