September 1, 2021
Rowan Resilience

As a faculty member, I am thinking a lot about how I will welcome my students back to the University this fall. Some students will have been vaccinated for months and will perceive the pandemic as being in the past, while others may not be vaccinated and may perceive themselves and/or their loved ones as continuing to be at-risk. How will I encourage all of these students to move forward with their education and have a vision for their future? I don’t know the full answer to this, but I will encourage them to adopt a few guiding principles:

1) Resilient people make decisions based on hope, not fear. None of us can predict the future. There will always be setbacks and hardships, but there will also always be options and paths forward. Resilient people are forward-oriented, since it is the future that we can influence.
2) Resilient people are connected to others. Perhaps more than ever, it’s important for students to join groups and sign up for activities to connect them with each other around causes and goals that are important to them. We may be out of practice meeting new people and being part of live social gatherings, but that’s o.k. Show up anyway. If you are at a higher risk for COVID, choose events that are outdoors and smaller.
3) Resilient people engage in positive self-talk. What are the messages you tell yourself throughout the day? How aware are you of these messages? Becoming more aware of these mental, ongoing messages is the first step to making them the messages that you want to believe. You can train yourself to stop the unhelpful messages that hold you back and adopt new messages that motivate you. The more you do this, the more naturally the helpful messages show up in your daily self-talk.

Dr. Leslie Spencer
Professor
Department of Health and Exercise Science
Rowan Thrive Activator
*The Rowan Thrive website has been transformed with new dimensions of well-being videos and functions to navigate resources easier.

Check it out and share!
EMOTIONAL
Remember Rowan is here for you. This dimension is about understanding our emotions so we can work with them better, regulate emotions, and recover from negative emotions more quickly (Davis, Berkeley Well-Being Institute).
We as a community will navigate several situations this fall that may challenge our emotional well-being and mental health, so make time to find healthy ways of coping and ask for help.
Thursday, 9/9 - 12 - 1 p.m.
Rec Center Conference Room 113

Start the semester strong!

Learn about dealing with your mental health, finding resources, and more to help your well-being!
Monday, 9/13 - 2 - 3 p.m.
Wellness Center

Join HCI interns for this student-run, informal group to talk about college life. This non-clinical group is for any Rowan student who has ever felt stressed in college!
Wednesday, 9/15 - 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Robinson Circle (outside James/Robinson Hall)

Fresh Check Day is one of the signature events hosted by Healthy Campus Initiatives in the Wellness Center. Held each September, this day includes interactive booths, games, prizes, and more! Students are encouraged to stop by and learn about the many resources available on and off campus that can strengthen their mental health and overall well-being. Faculty and staff are encouraged to bring their students, student employees, and themselves. 
SOCIAL
The Chamberlain Student Center & Campus Activities, Student University Programmers (SUP) & Rowan After Hours (RAH) are committed to providing fun & engagement activities for the university community. 

Most events are free for students, with some activities that require a small fee.
9/6 - 9/10

Sophomore Celebration Week is all about showing you how much we appreciate you, connecting you to on-campus resources, and supporting you on your path towards graduation! At each event, you will see a "Sophomore Celebration" check-in sign, where you will then be eligible to win Rowan Bucks. Also pickup your Class of 2024 T-Shirt at the Student Center Info Desk.
Friday, 9/3 - 4pm via Zoom

The College of Performing Arts is working hard to prepare for the return of in-person performances with an exciting 21|22 season of dance, music, and theatre events. This online public info session will allow you to learn what to expect when the lobby doors open, including the latest on COVID-19 safety protocols, performance previews, and how to purchase tickets. 
PHYSICAL
The SHOP is an on-campus food pantry and resource center available to students in need, with a focus on addressing issues of food insecurity. The program does not adhere to specific financial restrictions, however items available are intended for students without the financial means or resources necessary to purchase adequate food and/or personal care supplies. The location is at the Rowan Boulevard Apartments, Building 5, Room 141.
Every Friday Fresh For All provides fresh fruits and vegetables from 10 - 11 a.m. on the corner of Heston St. and Carpenter St. (Lot D). Bring your own bags or boxes.
Wednesday, 9/8 - 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Rec Center Front Patio

Interested in joining a Sport Club? Find out more information about all of our 45 recreational and competitive Sport Clubs. Additionally information on all other areas of Campus Recreation including Group Fitness, Personal Training, and Intramural Sports! There will be raffles, free food, and various activities such as Axe Throwing, Giant Pong, Photo Booth, Archery Tag, & a Game Truck.

Rain date is Thursday, September 9th. 
Campus Recreation now offers for free all group fitness classes including bodypump, cardio circuit, cycle, hiit (high intensity interval training), and yoga. The classes are taught by nationally certified instructors and all levels of abilities are welcome.

Free for students and members. All classes are held at the Recreation Center and registration is recommended through the Rowan Campus Recreation App, which is available on the apple and google play store. Individuals should follow all university COVID-19 requirements for participation.
PURPOSE
Tuesday, 9/7 - 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Chamberlain Student Center Ballroom

Learn about Greek Life at Rowan University. All Greek organizations will be participating and you'll be able to have first hand at being provided with the information you need.It's a great opportunity to see what best fits you!
Register now to consider supporting your career goals!

Rohrer College of Business: Accounting, Finance, and MIS Expo: September 23 (registration open)

Fall Career and Graduate School Fair: October 7 (registration open)
FINANCIAL
Wednesday, 9/15 from 12 - 1:30 p.m.
Virtual via Webex

The Rowan University Women’s Alliance Network is proud to introduce our upcoming keynote speaker, Jean Edelman ’81. One of the most successful women in the Washington, D.C., business community, Jean has been long-focused on sharing her personal and professional insights to help women and future business leaders succeed.
9/11 - 9/12
Philadelphia, PA

Students are invited to a weekend celebration for FREE admission to 20+ museums and events all around the city.
This includes the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Franklin Institute, Museum of the American Revolution, and SO many more. Tickets and transportation for Saturday, 9/1 are provided free on a first come, first serve basis by SUP. *Registration required
COMMUNITY
Friday, 9/3 - 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Chamberlain Student Center

Vendors from Glassboro and the surrounding area will be on campus to show what their business has to offer. Check out local shops, restaurants, banks, and businesses without having to leave campus. Vendors may provide information, food samples, giveaways, or promotional items to students, faculty, and staff.
Thursday, 9/2 - 12 - 4 p.m.
Chamberlain Student Center Ballroom

Join SJICR for our kick-off event of the Fall with our affiliated cultural and identity-specific student organizations!

Come join us and meet some folks, learn about our amazing student organizations, eat some free food, win some prizes, and dance with us!
Saturday, 9/4 - 4:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Richard Wackar Stadium

Come cheer on Rowan football at their game against Widener University. The first 1,000 fans get a free funnel cake or fried oreos. Enjoy inflatables, a halftime competition dinosaur run, and stay after for a dazzling fireworks display. This event is cosponsored with Rowan Athletics.
MEDICAL SCHOOL WELL-BEING
“The Strive to Thrive newsletter intends to bring you well-being ideas, tips, events, information and ways to connect through all dimensions of well-being (physical, social, emotional, purpose, community, and financial). We hope that this layout reminds you of all of the many ways to nourish, attend to, and elevate your well-being and the well-being of those around you.”
Strive to Thrive is a newsletter for the Rowan University community. Visit rowan.edu/thrive or contact rowanthrive@rowan.edu for more information.