Weekly Wellness Newsletter 4/2/24

April 2, 2024

Your guide to wellness programs and events, recreational opportunities and highlights, timely educational wellness information and service offerings throughout the academic year.

RIT Eclipse Fest

Join us for an unforgettable celebration of the total solar eclipse at the RIT Eclipse Fest on Monday, April 8. This rare astronomical phenomenon promises to be an awe-inspiring experience, and we want you to be a part of it.

RIT Eclipse Fest activities will be in the Gordon Field House and Activities Center and Hale-Andrews Student Life Center from 2:30-5:30 p.m. Attendees can enjoy activities like glow dodgeball, a neon dance party, space-themed food, and more. A limited number of commemorative RIT Eclipse Fest t-shirts will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Solar Glasses

RIT has purchased one pair of certified solar glasses for every RIT student. Students living in the Resident Halls or the RIT Inn will receive a pair of glasses from their RA. Students living in an RIT apartment community or off campus can pick up their glasses at the SHED between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on one of the following days:

Wednesday, April 3
Thursday, April 4
Friday, April 5

Solar Eclipse Safety

Safety is a top priority when viewing a solar eclipse. Be sure to follow these safety guidelines when viewing the solar eclipse on April 8:

Eye Safety
According to NASA, it is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing. Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.

To view the solar eclipse safely, you will need solar viewing glasses (eclipse glasses). It’s important to note that eclipse glasses are NOT the same as regular sunglasses. Regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the Sun.
Skin Protection
Even during a partial or annular eclipse, or during the partial phases of a total eclipse, the Sun may be very bright. If you are watching an entire eclipse, you may be in direct sunlight for hours. Remember to wear sunscreen, a hat, and protective clothing to prevent skin damage.
Crowded Areas
RIT’s Henrietta campus has nearly 20,000 people on it during a regular school day. If all of us are on campus and go outside for eclipse viewing, it may become crowded. Remember you can always take a break and go inside a building for some space if needed.
Your Environment
According to National Geographic, humans won’t be the only ones reacting to the dramatic changes in the sky during the eclipse. Over the centuries, people who have witnessed these effects have also noted that a variety of animals seem to change their behaviors in response. There are reports of sudden silence by some species or increased activity by others. This can be a great time to practice mindfulness and be aware of what is happening around you.

For information about RIT classes, how to navigate campus, and health and safety, visit the RIT Solar Eclipse web page.

Tell Me Something Good written in black text on a yellow background graphic

Total Eclipse of the ROC

Did you know that Rochester’s last total solar eclipse was on January 24, 1925? That was 99 years ago!

A total eclipse is one of the rarest and most spectacular events in nature. The total solar eclipse occurring on April 8 will be one of the most important celestial events for skywatchers around the world, and Rochester, NY, will be in the path of totality for 3 minutes 38 seconds!

Wellness Events Calendar

We’ve put together a Wellness Events Calendar to compile all the RIT Wellness events and programs in one easy place to find and refer back to all semester long. This includes CaPS workshops and community spaces, Mental Health First Aid training opportunities, Bow Wow Wellness, and more.

Be sure to save this page, as we’re always adding new events and programs throughout the semester!

Wellness Events Calendar

Women in Weightlifting
Saturdays, 4-6 p.m.
Meet in Classroom 1325 in the Student Life Center (SLC)

Want to start strength training in supportive group setting? With the help of a WFC Personal Trainer, participants will learn how to use barbells, kettlebells and dumbbells to increase strength, mobility and confidence in the gym. The first hour will include instruction on various strength exercises and the opportunity to get hands-on help with your lifts. The second hour will be an opportunity to lift in the company of other women. All fitness levels are welcome. This program is for women and female-identifying friends only!

Coffee & Company: A Smile Goes a Mile
Tuesday, April 2
12:45-1:45 p.m., MOSAIC

The Health Promotion team invites you to join us for an afternoon pick-me up! Come chat with us about various topics each week, and their connection to mental health!

Learn more

Procrasti-no-more! (session #1)
Tuesday, April 2
4:30-5:30 p.m., Student Alumni Union 1500

Are you looking for ways to reduce your stress and procrastination? Look no further! Procrasti-no-more designed as a stress and procrastination reduction workshop. In session one you will learn about how stress can impact your body, the stress-procrastination cycle, and even found out your unique procrastination style! Your group will meet once a week for 3 weeks in a row as you make your way through your journey of reducing stress and procrastination.

Zzz’s Get Degrees Workshop
Thursday, April 4
6:30-7:30 p.m., Virtual/Zoom

Are you tired of being tired? Join the Health Promotion Peer Educators in a weekly workshop guided by the Zzz's Get Degrees journal and activity booklet to achieve better sleep! This is a supportive space for students to discuss sleep habits, struggles, and successes, as well as an opportunity to learn more about sleep management practices.

April Fitness Clinic
Sunday, April 7
2-4 p.m., Wiedman Fitness Center

Do you want to learn more about how to squat, bench press and deadlift? Join the WFC Personal Trainers to learn the basic techniques for each lift. You’ll have the opportunity for 1:1 assistance, as well as time to ask questions and learn more about how to incorporate these lifts into your training plan. Registration required. We hope to see you there!

Finals Prep Workshops
April 16-18

The Academic Success Center has a variety of tools to help improve your time management skills and study strategies. Not sure where to start? Check out the Study Tool Kit and the following upcoming Finals Week Prep Workshops:

Learn more about the Academic Success Center

Cornhole (Doubles) Intramural Tournament
Saturday, April 20
1-6 p.m.

Join us for a single-day cornhole tournament! Tournaments are a great way to relax and try something new!

Registration will open three weeks before the tournament begins.

Personal Trainer Certification Prep Course
May 13 - June 21

The Center for Recreational Sports is offering a program to help you study for, and pass, the personal trainer certification exam. This 6-week online, asynchronous course will help prepare participants to take the American Council on Exercise (ACE) personal trainer exam. Course participants will receive a discount on the exam registration upon course completion.

If you are serious about becoming certified and potentially working in the Wiedman Fitness Center as a personal trainer, sign up today! Contact mrwciar@rit.edu with any questions.

Ongoing Education Opportunities

Mental Health First Aid at RIT

RIT Wellness is excited to offer all students, faculty, and staff members of the RIT community the opportunity to participate in Mental Health First Aid training sessions this spring.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a skills-based training course, in which you will:

Learn how to describe and talk about mental health, openly and non-judgmentally
Learn how to approach, reassure, and support a fellow RIT community member when they may be struggling with their mental health
Explore what self-care looks like for you with practical applications of self-care

To participate in a Mental Health First Aid training session, you can either request a session for your group or register for a scheduled session. If you have any questions, please contact Beau Gibbs at bmghcw@rit.edu.

Learn more about Mental Health First Aid at RIT

For additional events and event information, go to rit.edu/events.