Isabel Cameron and Kelly Cwick enjoy smoothies from Dining Services. LAURENRAZIANO / THEQUADRANGLE
By Lauren Raziano, Multimedia Editor
Coordinated with the Wellbeing & Flourishing Council, Student Government held their second annual Jasper Day of Wellness (JDOW) on March 22.
Students Emilia O’Neill and Alixandria James worked with Esmilda Abreu-Hornbostel, Associate Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students, and other administrators to create events for this day.
“The council consists of staff, faculty, administrators and students, all contributing to the collaborative effort of establishing and maintaining a holistically well campus,” Abreu-Hornbostel wrote in an email to the MC community on March 14th. “The Wellbeing and Flourishing Council are committed to acknowledging the needs of our campus community, proactively implementing supportive measures, and promoting personal and communal well-being.”
In his email to the MC community in Dec. William Clyde, Executive Vice President and Interim Provost, announced the wellness initiative.
“In an effort to prioritize the various avenues of wellness in our lives, the Jasper Day of Wellness aims to connect our campus community through the utilization of education and resources,” Clyde wrote. “This day will be a collaborative effort, bringing together different aspects of the entire Manhattan College community, allowing us to unite as a holistically well campus.”
Dining Services and Nutrition Services offered two different tropical smoothies and a hydration station on the quad. Inside Locks Loft they offered health snack alternatives like trail mix and yogurt parfaits.
Jahangir Ahmed, the director of the fitness center, hosted three events on campus for JDOW. There was also pickleball, wellness walks, and personal wellness talks.
“For today’s wellness day events, the fitness center is hosting an obstacle course race in the Jasper Lawn and the second event is fitness on the quad with a variety of fitness challenges where you can win t-shirts and other prizes,” Ahmed said. “We are going to cap it off with sunset yoga at 6:30pm.”
Tri-Beta, the Biology honors society hosted puppies on the quadrangle with dogs from 11:00am to 1:00pm.
The Spirit Squad each had a short presentation on the quad with the band performing Mr. Brightside and the dance team showing off a routine.
Jennifer Covello from 511 Rideshare also had a table on the quadrangle to share how MC students can get involved with green commuting.
“Students can sign up for free transit information, peer ride matching, bike routes and all things green commuting, free through the New York State Department of Transportation,” Covello said. “Also there is a Manhattan College student commuter portal where you can log on and match with other students to share rides, and take transit together.”
Isabel Cameron, senior psychology major, enjoyed the wellness day activities.
“To promote my wellness I am taking time to go outside, spend time with my friends, and give myself some good solid rest since it is such a hectic time of the semester,” Cameron said. “I think the school has historically not done a very good job at prioritizing the students mental health but I think this Jasper Day of Wellness is a step in the right direction. I think if they allocate more resources to the counseling center that would be an even better thing and I think the school is on the right track to supporting the students and their mental health.”