Spring ‘Wellness’ Series Begins Feb. 1

01/18/2017 

In keeping with a College priority of well-being, each semester SUNY Cortland offers weekly encouragement to the campus and community to pursue a lifetime of good health.

The Spring 2017 “Wellness Wednesday Series” will feature events intended to motivate campus and community members to learn more about health and wellness.

Programs continue through the spring semester with topics including yoga; taking control of an eating disorder; creating a community that prevents relationship violence; having a safe spring break; healthy eating habits; comedy for the sake of wellness; spirituality and religion; and supporting survivors of sexual assault.

Primarily 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.

A poster listing all the Spring 2017 events can be found at Wellness Wednesday Series — Spring 2017 and on the Campus Life page of myRedDragon.

Events include:

• On Feb. 1, Noralyn Masselink, professor of English, will offer “An Intro to Yoga” at 6 p.m. Participants will experience a beginner-level yoga class and should dress in loose, comfortable clothing and bring a towel and water.
• Ryan Brennan, a graduate assistant for fitness/personal training and adjunct professor of recreational sports, will present “Find Your Life’s Purpose and What Fulfills You” at 6 p.m. on Feb. 8. For students who are unsure what to do with their lives after they have their degree, Brennan’s talk aims to help narrow down overwhelming choices and think with a purpose. Participants can expect to answer life-altering questions, interact with others and draw their future — literally. “Passion is great, but we want to know what fulfills you,” Brennan said.
• Green Dot, etc., is a model for successful prevention and intervention of power-based violence, built on the premise that individuals can measurably and systematically reduce violence within any given community using current research across disciplines in combination with lessons learned from history. On Feb. 15, in Corey Union Function Room, Green Dot trainer Nate Burke will give a speech titled “What’s Your Green Dot?” that outlines his organization’s strategy to reducing violence in its many forms. “No one has to do everything but everyone has to do something,” Burke said of the Green Dot etc. strategy, which is predicated on the belief that individual safety is a community responsibility and shifts the lens away from victims and perpetrators and onto bystanders. “Build your skills base and empower yourself to make a change.” More information is available on the Green Dot website.

  	A recreational group exercises in the Student Life Center.

• Jenni Schaefer, a national speaker, author, singer and songwriter, will share her struggle with anorexia and bulimia Feb. 22 in the Corey Union Function Room. Her talk, titled “Goodbye Ed, Hello Me,”provides a firsthand account of getting your life back after an eating disorder. “Redefining recovery, I believe that freedom does not just mean saying goodbye to Ed — a.k.a. “eating disorder” — but, more importantly, it means saying a big hello to life,” Schaefer said. “And that includes connecting with people, passions and inner peace as well. We recover from our eating disorders in order to recover our lives.” Information about Schaefer’s talk is available online. Schaefer is the keynote speaker for “Body Appreciation Week” at the College, a series of events that will run from Monday, Feb. 20-24.

• Hazing is a societal concern that can impact everyone. A hazing education speaker, to be announced, will discuss the topic at 7:30 p.m. on March 1 in Corey Union Function Room.
• On March 8, 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 Health Promotion; Andrea Hart, a registered dietician and New York state certified dietitian-nurse who is employed with the SUNY Cortland Auxiliary Services Corporation (ASC); and representatives of the Substance Abuse Prevention and Education. Free items will be given away.

  	The Student Life Center's climbing wall is a favorite of recreation buffs.

• Drew Lynch, comedian and finalist on “America’s Got Talent,” will present “A Comedian’s Story” at 6 p.m. on March 29 in the Corey Union Function Room. Lynch captured the hearts of America with his Golden Buzzer performance on Season 10 of “America’s Got Talent.” Come learn about a comedian’s experience with a disability. Be prepared to laugh and learn!
• On April 5, new campus Interfaith Center minister Rev. Rachel Ditch and a panel of students will present “Spirituality, Religion and You” at 6 p.m. The gathering provides an opportunity to discuss the intersection between religion and spirituality.
• A panel of speakers will present “Supporting Survivors of Sexual Assault” on April 12. As part of the “It’s On Us” movement and week of action, members of the SUNY Cortland campus community are striving to create an environment in which sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are supported.
• The Sustainability Committee will share their ideas for “Eating Healthy, Not Just For You” on April 19. The talk, from noon to 3 p.m. in the Student Life Center Lobby, offers examples of how SUNY Cortland students are making tasty dining hall choices that also help both the environment and human health.

  ee items will be given away.

• On March 22, Hart will join the Health Promotion interns to lead a “Put Your Best Fork Forward” event hosted by ASC. The gathering, from noon until 3 p.m. in the Student Life Center Lobby and Bistro, reminds the campus community that each one of us holds the tool to make healthier food choices. Making small changes during National Nutrition Month, and over time, helps improve health now and into the future.

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.