2020-21 Statements

March 3 Wellness Day is Coming

February 25, 2021

Tags Public Statements

Dear Students,

Next Wednesday, March 3, is the first of two Wellness Days for the semester. Classes and team practices will not be held, and Dean Suzanne Keen sent a note last week encouraging faculty members not to assign work that day or have assignments due the following day. I hope student organizations, too, will take full advantage of our first Wellness Day by not scheduling meetings or holding other organized activities.

So how will you spend a day with no classes, no practices, no rehearsals, and no meetings? Here are a few suggestions:

• Read for pleasure – The Burke Library has an extensive popular reading collection located near the newspapers, journals, and magazines on the first floor. You can also check-out books from the Kirkland Town Library by calling 315-853-2038 or emailing clinton@midyork.org and your selection will be delivered to Burke for pick-up since travel off campus is not permitted.
• Take a walk in a glen – The Hamilton campus is an arboretum with many scenic hiking and walking trails. Spend some time enjoying the beauty that surrounds you.
• Enjoy the snow – There are so many ways to enjoy the winter season. Make a snow sculpture, try snowshoeing, use the groomed cross country ski trails, or check-out a fat tire bike (something I’ve tried several times, with mixed results). Weather permitting, visit the Glen House to borrow equipment (Hill Card and green emocha badge required).
• Sleep in – Don’t set your alarm, and then, after having a nice meal, take a nap. Dean Martinez reminds us often that rest is important for wellness.
• Watch a movie or binge watch a television series – Did you know several movies have been filmed on the Hamilton campus or that some of our alumni have produced or starred in a variety of movies and television programs? Our Communications Office compiled a list of movies and television series with a Hamilton connection, and LITS offers a number streaming video services that you may enjoy.
• Exercise – The fitness centers, field house, pool, rink, and climbing wall will all be open on Wednesday. Just remember to show your emocha green badge. We also offer a full menu of wellness programs on Zoom (no badge required).
• Find your inner child – Use the freebies from this week’s FebFest swag drop to paint, color, or do puzzles (for the dissectologists among us). You may find a new interest or even a new talent.
• Do something for yourself – Perhaps you haven’t had time to check out the list of resources on the Health and Wellness website. Wednesday is a perfect day to explore the options available to you, not just on March 3, but throughout the semester.

We are a campus of smart, talented, and highly motivated people, but we all need time to relax. Give yourself permission to take the day off and do something special. Or, if you wish, feel free to do nothing at all. 

David