The message below was sent by Eleanor JB Daugherty, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students, to students on all campuses on April 27, 2022
Subject: Good Use of Exclamation Points
Hi Huskies,
So, when I asked folks for updates from this past weekend, the responses I received were not filled with COVID worries, but with exclamation points. Here’s what I got from my friends across the University:
- Oozeball: 238 teams and 1,500 participants competed in 12 courts of mud! 240 total games played!!!
- Bubble soccer: Event sold out in 12 minutes! 50 teams! UConn’s newest spring weekend tradition. Definitely count me in next year. Of note: This message of bubble soccer joy came from the person who banned me from Oozeball. Perhaps there is hope for me.
- No injuries!
- Fresh Check Day welcomed nearly 900 students! In addition to innovative and engaging booths, we had the benefit of Tildy, Carson, young calves, the Dairy Bar truck, and great music!
- RHA’s Husky Howl: UCONNAPALOOZA welcomed 850+ students!
To all the staff and students who pulled off all this great programming, this student quote I received is for you: “This might be me simply being starved of real college experiences…but you guys kinda knocked spring weekend out of the park.”
I also want to congratulate Audrey Larson, Angel Velasquez, and Charlotte Chen for their amazing win of the Innovate Wellness challenge. Together, these students were awarded seed funding to further develop an app that reduces anxiety for students walking alone on or around campus and improves access to safety resources. It’s through the innovation and creativity of ideas like these that we do our best work supporting students at UConn.
Finals are real. But we’ve got this. Study hard. Celebrate how much you’ve learned and give yourself a break:
Avery Point: As you get ready for finals, consider joining the LGTT: 15 Minutes to Calm program on April 28, 2022, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Participants will practice breathing and grounding meditation to help reset before exams.
Hartford: Stop by the HTB to grab a bite to eat before, after, or in between your finals. A hot breakfast will be served on Tuesday, May 3, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Stamford: Take a break from studying and stop by the Game Room Monday through Friday from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. There are pool tables, video games, and board games to help you relax and visit with friends.
Waterbury: Stop by the lobby between 12:00 and 2:00 p.m. on April 27, 28, May 2, 3, 4 and 5 for Finals Frenzy Snacks.
Storrs: McMahon will be open at 6:45 a.m. for students during finals for continental coffee and bagels. Stop by the Student Union 307 for a yummy study break snack all week and take a break, breathe, and recharge with Student Activities. Several residential areas will be sponsoring study breaks, so be on the lookout for information concerning these. Finally, the Homer Babbidge library is hosting their Paws to Relax pet therapy program May 2-6 from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. each day on level 1.
Special thanks to Julia, a graduating SENIOR from the DOS office, for the following study tips:
- The Pomodoro Technique is the study method where you spend 25 minutes working on your task with no distractions (could potentially write a distraction down to visit later) and then set a timer for a five-minute break. This strategy is known to improve study efficiency. After four Pomodoros, take a 30-minute break.
- After studying for a while and you’re running low on steam, eat chocolate for a slight sugar/caffeine boost (peanut M&M’s are my favorite, can be found at Bookworms cafe) and do 10 jumping jacks to get the blood flowing to your brain.
And what would an email be without a COVID mention? Did you get an On/Go COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test from UConn this semester? As you are packing up, are you wondering what to do with that almost-expired test? Well, do not toss it! The manufacturer of the On/Go Antigen Self-Test has extended the effective dates by three (3) months, so if your test kits says April 2022, the actual date is July 2022.
All good things,
Eleanor JB Daugherty, EdD
she/her/hers
Associate Vice President and Dean of Students
For more information, contact: Janice Canniff at janice.canniff@uconn.edu