Bulletin News

College Offers Spring 'Wellness' Series for Campus, Community

01/23/2018 

Continuing its tradition of weekly encouragement for successful college lifestyles and a lifetime of wellbeing, SUNY Cortland has announced its Spring 2018 “Wellness Wednesday Series” schedule.

Programs will focus on physical and mental health, including yoga, hugging, substance abuse and bulimia, and social issues including social media, networking with introverts, hazing and changing sexual violence.

Sponsored by the Health Promotion Office and the Student Development Center, the series will take place on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in Corey Union Exhibition Lounge, unless otherwise noted. The events are free and open to the public.

On Jan. 24, “Experience a Yoga Class” will be held at 6 or 7 p.m. in the Student Life Center Mind Body Room. Samantha Cascardo, trained to teach YogaFit Levels 1 and 2, and Registered Yoga Teacher Anna Crandell, will lead two separate classes that demonstrate the benefits of this ancient form of mind/body activity. Participants are asked to wear loose and comfortable clothing. Mats and all other required accessories are supplied. Attendance is limited to 40 people on a first-come, first-served basis.

Learn about the new campus food pantry by sharing a dinner with friends of the “SUNY Cortland Cupboard” on Jan. 31. Located at the Interfaith Center, the dinner will begin at that location at 6 p.m. Cupboard Intern Kaley Decker, Campus Minister Rachel Ditch, Health Educator Lauren Herman, Assistant Director of the Cortland Fund Natasha McFadden and Institute for Civic Engagement Director John Suarez will share the history and plans for this new student resource.

On Feb. 7, a discussion about “Anti-Social / Social Media” will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Corey Union’s Exhibition Lounge. Health Educator Lauren Herman and students Kyra Newcombe and Adam Marino will lead a discussion on the potential effects of using smartphones as a safety blanket — and they’ll offer tools to make conscious connections.

 On Feb. 14, Health promotion interns along with Campus Ministers Rachel Ditch and Shawn Allen and the Interfaith Center Crew will demonstrate the many health benefits of hugging. “Free Hugs” is the topic of this table presentation from noon to 3 p.m. in the Student Life Center lobby.

National presenters Doris and Tom Smeltzer, the parents of a college student who lost her life to an eating disorder, will present the Wellness Wednesday discussion on Feb. 21. Their talk, “Andrea’s Voice: Silenced by Bulimia,” will focus on eating disorders, from a daughter’s insights to a parent’s perspective. Bright, talented, creative — Andrea's voice was silenced when she died after a one-year struggle with bulimia. Her parents will share her compelling story as well as vital information on eating disorders. The event takes place in Corey Union Function Room. A book signing will follow. For more information on the Smeltzers, check out their website.   

On Feb. 28, the important topic of hazing prevention will be discussed at 7:30 p.m. in the Corey Union Function Room. Hazing is a societal concern that impacts everyone. The College’s program, to be announced at a later date, will help the campus community understand why it should be eliminated from college campuses.

On March 7, a “Safe Spring Break Fair” will offer tips for a carefree spring break. The fair, from noon to 3 p.m. in the Student Life Center lobby, will feature tips from student interns with the Health Promotion Office and representatives of Substance Abuse Prevention and Education. Free items will be given away.                                             

A “Networking with Introverts” workshop on March 21, led by career counselor Meredith Morell, will provide an understanding of why networking is important, how to make connections with others in person and online, some tips and tricks, and provide some stories along the way. Come to Corey Union Exhibition Lounge at 6 p.m. and learn how to maximize strengths and gain confidence in your ability to network.

On March 28, health promotion interns and Andrea Hart, a registered dietician and New York state certified dietitian-nurse employed with the SUNY Cortland Auxiliary Services Corporation (ASC), will offer “Go Further with Food” from noon to 3 p.m. in the Student Life Center lobby. Whether it's starting the day off right with a healthy breakfast or fueling before an athletic event, the foods you choose can make a real difference in nutrients, food waste and money.

Consultant and Coach Keith Edwards will present “Ending Rape: A Social Change Approach to Sexual Violence” on April 4. The session, to begin at 7 p.m., in Corey Union Function Room, will explore the realities of sexual violence and reframe the issues for proactive prevention, leaving all genders empowered to make positive change happen.

On April 11, Lauren Herman, health educator, and Christopher Scagnelli, academic tutor, will present “Life Hacks for Adulting.” There are many aspects of being an adult that can be difficult. Participants are invited to come learn some “life hacks” to make the process of being an adult a little easier. The session will begin at 6 p.m. in Corey Union Exhibition Lounge.

“DWHigh: Beyond the Legal Consequences” will involve conversations about the body’s response to marijuana and why these responses do not mix with driving. Led by Health Professor Page Dobbs and Substance Abuse and Prevention Education Associate Marissa Whitaker, the discussion will be held at 6 p.m. on April 18 in Corey Union Exhibition Lounge.

The series will conclude on April 25 when the Student Affairs Sustainability Committee, health promotion interns and Green Reps share “Air Plants” from noon to 3 p.m. in the Student Life Center lobby. Learn what air plants are and the benefits then receive a free air plant.

For more information or accommodation to attend an event, contact Lauren Herman, the College’s health educator, in Van Hoesen Hall, Room B-1, or at 607-753-2066.