2/10/2021

Dear Community,

Class is now in session!

Whether in Ithaca or elsewhere, taking in-person, hybrid or fully remote classes, we hope that you feel ready to tackle the Spring 2021 semester. This newsletter, University departments and resource centers, and lots of student organizations are here to support you throughout the journey. And what better time to establish good habits and a healthy routine than from the very beginning of the semester? We hope that the activities, events and resources below will aid you in starting off strong and provide ideas for creating a balanced and healthy semester.

Wishing you wellness,

The Skorton Center for Health Initiatives

*If you were forwarded this newsletter and would like to receive the weekly Quaranzine in your inbox, sign up using this link.

An often-shared meme among university students consists of a triangle with the three edges being labelled "social life," "good grades," and "sleep." In the middle of the triangle, the text says "you can only pick two."

But what if I told you that it is not only possible to pick all three, but to pick even more things like "personal hobbies," "physical fitness" and "spiritual well-being". It is true that during a busy semester you may have to make some temporary accommodations to certain aspects of your life. But the key words here are temporary, and the fact that they are accommodations, not sacrifices. If it is important to you, then make time for it. A healthy semester starts with balance.

Our minds, bodies and emotions want to be in balance. We know this as homeostasis. Each of us has a set point of what is our “normal” homeostasis. When our homeostasis is disrupted we want to restore it as quickly as possible to get back on track. Strengthening your resilience helps you bounce back from stress, challenge or disappointment and return to a state of balance.

As you attend this first week of classes, think about how you can set up your schedule so that you build in time for the things that help maintain your resilience or a sense of balance, including sleep, time for friends & fun, and for other things that are important to you.

By Dr. Anne C. Jones

I am writing to ask for your help to prevent further spread of COVID-19 at Cornell. As we embark on the first week of classes, we are experiencing a cluster and a surge in cases, many of which are attributable to gatherings in which public health procedures were not followed. It’s not just about wearing masks, physical distancing, and washing hands anymore. In the middle of a local surge in cases, we need to protect ourselves and each other in very specific ways.

First, your honesty with contact tracing is a crucial part of containing this surge. Testing ensures early identification of COVID, but once cases are identified, the public health process only works when we can quickly identify who may have been exposed, and immediately place them into quarantine. Read more: https://cornellsun.com/2021/02/09/guest-room-cornell-healths-medical-director-3-things-to-keep-in-mind-as-covid-19-cases-surge/

Thursday February 11, 2021 from 4-5pm

Students who successfully returned from leave in the past will share their experiences. They have become a strong support group for each other and are excited to welcome newcomers. The orientation session will address the following issues:

· how did students use their leaves,

· how to explain absence to friends,

· forming a social network,

· using resources,

· any other topics the students wish to address

Link to attend: https://cornell.zoom.us/j/95933819424?pwd=WHYzbk5HUXlmTkhZT1NqL05jbnNldz09 Meeting ID: 959 3381 9424 // Passcode: 463256)

Follow-up support sessions will be held every Thursday at 4:30 p.m. via Zoom. Some students attend every session and others drop in when they need support. Drop-ins are always welcome.

Acting, comedy, music, impressions, art... what can Melissa Villaseñor NOT do? Luckily, for this event we will just be focusing on one of her skills - drawing! Take this chance to have the first-ever Latina cast member of Saturday Night Live guide you through her sketching process. In the spirit of Valentine's day the prompt will be "draw your dinner setting."

In addition to drawing insights, you are sure to be treated to some light-hearted and funny conversation. In case you want to be fully prepared, Melissa will be using:

• Paper (specifically, Bristol Paper)
• Pencil
• Ink Pens (specifically, Faber-Castell Ink Pens)
• Crayons/Color Pencils/Watercolor

RSVP for the Zoom HERE!

The Latina/o Studies Program and Latino Living Center presents: The Cupid Shuffle Game!

Love is in the air! Valentine’s Day is much more than just a Hallmark Holiday – it actually has a rich history that dates all the way back to Ancient Rome. By participating in Cupid Shuffle Trivia, you can not only uncover the history of this heart-filled holiday, but other fun Valentine’s Day facts, too. This game also includes questions about romantic movies, songs and famous couples!

Friday February 12 at 8:30pm

Looking for In-Person PE Classes?

Some of the 150 P.E. Classes offered this semester are being held in-person with mask-wearing and 6 foot distancing. Check out the schedule here: https://pe.cornell.edu/classes

Cornell Fitness Centers Pre-Recorded Classes -- Free to All

Pre-recorded classes are free to the Cornell Community and can be viewed at any time.

View the CFC's pre-recorded fitness class library

• Saturday, February 13 at 7:00 p.m.
• Singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers will be joined by fellow singer-songwriter Andrew Belle.

• Our second-ever hybrid semester at Cornell is here--and we're ready to go. Take advantage of these not-yet-very-busy (hopefully!) weeks of February with trainings the Library can give you in key library skills.
• Research skills: literature reviews, maximizing research impact
• Graphic design: image collections, using freebie software, effective virtual flyers
• Intro to Podcasting: Session 1, Session 2, and Session 3
• Wikipedia: basic editing, Black in STEM Wikipedia-edit-a-thon, and Wikipedia: Art + Feminism
• Making: drawing techniques, Galentine's Day, zines, and quilting
• Got a question big or small, quick or complicated? Cornell librarians are here for you all semester long, all the way; never hesitate to just ask!

The Women's Resource Center is thrilled to announce a brand new program: a semester-long meditation series, led in Spanish by Mar Pérez, Moments of Calm. It will be a space to embrace to moments that give us access to the present moment, through meditation. Sessions will be biweekly on Mondays from 4:45-5:15pm via zoom. No experience necessary. To register, visit linktr.ee/CornellWRC

Let’s Meditate is a free, guided, mindfulness meditation series sponsored by Cornell Health, in collaboration with numerous campus partners.

• Everyone is welcome! Let’s Meditate is open to all members of the Cornell community, including students, faculty, and staff of all ages, genders, sizes, shapes, and abilities.
• Participation is FREE. You are welcome to come to as many sessions as you wish.

During each half-hour Zoom Let’s Meditate session, a trained facilitator leads participants through a meditation exercise designed to focus on the breath and quiet the mind. These sessions are perfect for the beginner up to the advanced.

Located at 109 McGraw Place, the Cornell Food Pantry is just off University Avenue, across from Alice Cook House on West Campus. Free, confidential access to food and personal care items is available to Cornell undergraduate and graduate students, as well as Cornell staff and faculty.
The Cornell Food Pantry is open Tuesdays and Thursdays 4-7PM EST, Wednesdays and Fridays 10AM-1PM EST, and Sundays 12-3PM EST.
Click here to learn more.
To participate, enroll here.
Make a gift in direct support of the Cornell Food Pantry. Contact Info: foodpantry@cornell.edu

Tuesdays, 3:00 – 4:30 pm via Zoom, beginning February 23rd

Open to undergraduate and graduate students who are residing in New York State during group sessions
Weekly semester group – no drop ins; group orientation required
Counselors: Cory Myler, PhD and Thaddeus Bates, LMSW

This group will focus on "getting better at feeling" rather than "feeling better," how to best have pain rather than get rid of pain, and how to accept internal experiences (e.g., thoughts and emotions) rather than control them. We will work on the identification of personal values and how to engage in action/behavior that is congruent with those values, even while uncomfortable internal experiences persist.

The format of the group is a mixture of "didactic" and "process"; the group will start out very class-like, with facilitators using slides and a book, "The Happiness Trap", to explain concepts and principles. As the group progresses, it will become more like a traditional therapy group, with more opportunity for interaction between group members and sharing personal experiences.

Wednesdays, 5:15 – 6:45 pm via Zoom, start date to be announced soon

Open to self-identifying graduate women who are residing in New York State during group sessions
Weekly semester group – no drop-ins; group orientation required
Counselors: Jennie Bernstein, PhD and Eve Abrams, LCSW-R

The Graduate Women's group is a weekly support group that will provide a safe space for women pursuing graduate degrees to share and explore challenges, stressors, and successes in managing life as it is. In support groups, the group serves as a safe and confidential space to receive multiple perspectives, feedback, and support from other graduate women.

Thursdays, 5:00 – 6:30 pm via Zoom, beginning February 18th

Open to undergraduate and graduate students who are residing in New York State during group sessions
Weekly semester group – no drop-ins; group orientation required
Counselors : Ken Cohen, PhD and Zehra Kaya, PhD

This is a weekly, confidential support group for enrolled Cornell undergraduate and graduate students who have suffered the death of a family member or other significant person. The group is open to those whose loss occurred some time ago as well as those for whom the loss is more recent. The focus of group will vary depending on members' needs and preferences.