What do goats, plants, and massage have in common?
All of these were showcased at the Wellness Fest on Aug. 19 outside Nebraska Union. The Big Red Welcome activity is now in its second year and aims to introduce new students to a variety of on-campus activities, resources and programs that focus on physical and mental health.
Organizations represented include Big Red Resilience and Wellbeing, Counseling and Psychological Services, Health Centers, Campus Recreation, and Student Advocacy and Support. Additional booths introduced students to the Diversity and Inclusion office, dining services, and the Big Red Pop-up. The Big Red Pop-Up is a monthly event where the Love Library is staffed by therapy dogs and students can stop by to say hello.
Students won prizes, received chair massages, socialized with friends, and learned about the many resources available. Some students have chosen to pot plants from the Nebraska State Arboretum in their dorm rooms. Sara Spilinek, a landscape architecture student and Arboretum staff member, said the more than 350 donated plants were specially selected for dormitory living. Plants are the finishing touch, research proven to boost mood, productivity, focus and creativity.
“They are all low-light, low-maintenance plants,” she said. “We have spider plants, jade, aloe, pothos, succulents and cacti.”
Holly Swanson, director of administrative and strategic events for students, said this year’s Wellness Fest has been adjusted slightly to listen to feedback and continue to grow the event. Last year, in addition to information booths, Campus Recreation offered fitness classes on the greens. This year, those classes were spread out throughout the week.
“We hope the event will grow each year with more vendors and more activities,” Swanson said. “We also want to give students plenty of options throughout his week. The Campus Rec classes previously offered here will be moved to another time to make them available to more students. was provided to.”
One of the remaining classes is the persistently popular Goat Yoga at Meyer Commons. Two sessions were offered, giving approximately 60 freshmen a unique opportunity to exercise while interacting with baby and adult goats from Shepherds Rest Goat and Sheep Rescue near Pickrell, Nebraska. I was able to get This class will be offered for the first time in his 2019 and will fill up quickly once registration opens.
Roommates Kayla Jeffrey and Kyla Jenkins of Springfield, Nebraska, were stunned by the experience, even though they forgot to bring towels.
“The lawn was a little itchy, but it was worth it,” Jeffrey said. “I love goats.
Jenkins agreed, adding that she had come across many fun, new and unusual experiences during the Big Red Welcome Week.
“It was a very unique experience,” Jenkins said. “Where else can you goat yoga right outside your door? I was a little intimidated at first because it’s such a big school compared to my hometown, but everyone was so welcoming.”
Jeffrey said he was one of the kind people who informed them about downloading the ActiveHusker app so they could register for classes. Roommates also make the most of the other fitness classes offered during the week.
“We’re both going to attend Campus Rec,” Jeffrey said. “We both love working out, we have a lot of options and a lot of things to do.”
Swanson reiterated that the week has been a resounding success for students and staff working tirelessly to welcome students to campus.
“We’ve been going since Sunday, and it’s been very intense, but I love the energy of the students,” she said. “The first few weeks are always very exciting.”