A chill scene is what the office of the dean became for this congenial occasion.
On April 14, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m, the university Office of The Dean of Students hosted a Day of De-Stress in its Student Center Suite 400 location. About 35 visitors attended the three-and-a-half hour icebreaker. This marks the second such open house for the spring semester, according to Meghan Aitken, executive assistant to Dr. Dawn Meza-Soufleris. Soufleris is vice president of student development and campus life.
Aitken is the Day Of De-Stress organizer. Aitken said she arranged the social with help from Office of Dean of Students staff. She added that the idea for the endeavor came from Christopher Troutman. He is the director of student conduct in the office of the dean of students.
Fittingly, the entrance boasted colorful balloons, spring decorations and refreshments including a popcorn stand. Students were invited to pop one of the many colorful balloons near Soufleris’ office door. The guests then were invited to take a snack, chat and unwind.
During an early afternoon visit, Aitken said the Day Of De-Stress was gradually drawing more people.
“We’ve spoken with probably a little over a dozen students so far. We usually get more in the afternoon,” Aitken said. “[The students] are all excited that it is almost the end of the semester; tired, but excited.”
One person who stopped by was Kamila Akobirshoeva, a freshman business administration major. Akobirshoeva commented on her first ever Day Of De-Stress participation.
Janane Selvakumar, freshman, public health major. Thomas Boud | The Montclarion
“My friends told me about this event, and frankly, since the semester has been winding down, I’ve been a little stressed with my exams and my project, so I thought I would come here and see what it’s about.”
Another participant was Janane Selvakumar, a freshman public health major. She also described her first time at Day Of De-Stress.
Kamila Akobirshoeva, freshman business administration major, selects a snack during the Day Of De-Stress social inside the office of the dean of students, Student Center Suite 400.
Thomas Boud | The Montclarion
“What brought me here today is I have been really stressed with all these finals and all my schoolwork. I just need to let go,” Selvakumar said, about leisure, “and do the fun campus activities, and all the free snacks.
Aitken said the mixer’s other purpose was acquainting the campus community about the Office of the Dean of Students’ mission.
“The office is here to advocate on the students’ behalf, and especially if they come upon a difficulty or struggle that they’re not quite sure how to resolve,” Aitken said. “They can reach out to a team member here for that little extra help to make sure they can problem solve their issues on campus.”
Troutman seconded that point while assisting with Day Of Destress.
“I think it is definitely true that some students are not aware of the services we provide.”
For the record, Aitken said the first Day Of De-Stress took place in February, which attracted about 150 students. Atiken said the initiative is to be reprised in the fall.
“We had the idea this semester, so we’re hoping to do it every semester going forward,” Aitken said. “In the fall, during student appreciation week, we’ll do ‘Donuts With The Dean’ again, where we have donuts. Then maybe sometime in early December, we’re going to try to do a winter themed event.”
Aitken said Margaree Coleman-Carter, dean of students, and Soufleris fully supported the Day Of De-Stress concept.
“We’re lucky. Dr. S and Dean Carter give us a lot of free reign to create fun events for the students.”
