The University\u2019s Campus Recreation department is making space for student wellness on campus. (Photo courtesy Campus Recreation)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe project arose out of a conversation. A few years ago, Robbin, fitness and wellness specialist at the University, met a colleague to chat; because it was such a lovely day, they took their conversation outside. Perched on the wall outside the Fascitelli Center, they enjoyed the scenery of the trees and quiet gurgle of the nearby stream, seeing students walk by on their way to class or the dining hall. \u201cIt was very calming,\u201d Robbin recalls, to be near people but to have some quiet as well. \u201cOur conversation turned to the space we were in. We started to wonder and said, \u2018What if we used this as a space for students?\u2019\u201d The more she shared the idea with others \u2014 a student worker, colleagues \u2014 the more interest built to make this not just an idea, but a reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJodi loved the idea when we brought it to her,\u201d Robbin recalls. The project began thanks to support from the University\u2019s office of Campus Design and the Lands and Grounds department, building on natural features already in place. The new outdoor labyrinth will be an inviting part of the Kingston Campus\u2019 residential neighborhood, available 24\/7, and also be a reminder as students walk by, to pause and take a moment in their day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the University returning to some normalcy this year, the project restarted, bolstered by the team\u2019s awareness of the importance of mental health and the wellness-enhancing benefits of outdoor spaces. The area is part of the department\u2019s effort to offer more spaces for student fitness across the campus. \u201cWe knew students needed this,\u201d Hawkins said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Making space for mental health<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nHawkins notes that it\u2019s more important than ever for colleges, universities, and private companies to offer mental health support and resources for community members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They know that students who visit Campus Recreation, even once or twice a week, leave with a mental health boost. \u201cIt definitely helps alleviate stress,\u201d she says. At colleges across the country, they say, students and parents are reporting feelings of loneliness, of not belonging. Campus Rec activity options can help people gain a sense of community belonging and make a big difference in the student experience. And student interest shows in the numbers: participation in intramurals have gone up nearly 20% from before the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis will let students enjoy the seasons on the campus and truly be a well-being enhancer,\u201d Hawkins says. \u201cOur motto is \u2018Be Active, Be Well, Belong.\u2019 We want to help students feel better and feel a sense of belonging here. They are our number one priority.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new outdoor space will also build off the nearby bike path, offering more reasons for students to get outside. \u201cWe really want to encourage outdoor well- being!\u201d says Robbin. They plan to offer activities such as yoga classes, guided meditations, journaling workshops, and more, but also want to let the space just exist and welcome visitors, at any time of day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The site will be officially dedicated in the spring. Hawkins and Robbin are appreciative of the Student Senate, which also endorsed the idea, donating $25,000 for seating at the site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cost for the new wellness space, and the operation of the Fascitelli Center, comes out of the fitness and wellness fee. The construction, overseen by the Office of Small Projects, is expected to be completed by mid-December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Robbin had to repeat \u2018om\u2019 more than a few times in the past few years, practicing mindful patience while she waited to see this long-held dream become a reality. \u201cThis has been a long time in the planning stage!\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s so exciting to see it coming together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Follow the progress at @uricampusrec.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"KINGSTON, R.I. \u2013 Dec. 7, 2022 \u2013 As 溏心vlog免费B站 students made their way back to campus after the Thanksgiving break, they were greeted with a diversion on one of the campus footpaths running by the Anna Fascitelli Fitness Center. The temporary redirection is part of a larger plan to create a new […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":81829,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-81827","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-archives"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81827","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=81827"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81827\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":81929,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81827\/revisions\/81929"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/81829"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=81827"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=81827"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=81827"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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