Slope Media Group

Cornell Caring Community Celebration

On Tuesday, a handful of student groups gathered on Ho Plaza to promote the many ways in which they care for the Cornell community. Nate Treffeisen’12, Vice President of Outreach for the Student Assembly, spoke about the event’s growth from when it began 3 years ago. Then, it was a response to student suicides on campus, and a way to address the need for more visible student mental-health programs. Now, said Treffeisen, the event has expanded to include diversity and sustainability groups, such as Haven, the Women’s Resource Center, La Asociación Latina (LAL), the Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives (OADI), the Asian & Asian American Forum (AAAF), and Big Red Bikes. Cornell Minds Matter, the Slope Day Planning Board, and Cornell EMS also took part in the event.

Treffeisen said the main point of the event was to lift students’ spirits, and different stress relieving activities were set up at a few of the tables. The SA representatives handed out sheets of bubble wrap while the Cornell Minds Matter table had bubble wands, stress balls, and a “Gratitude Mailbox” so students stopping by could write a thank you letter to anyone in the world. Other tables made food, such as the AAAF who handed out pieces of candy sushi.

The event occurred days before Cornell’s Spring Fest, a day which filled Ho Plaza with similar fun and silly activities, including a parachute that groups of students could play with, and entertainment from student performance groups on campus. The week’s festivities made it clear that the university and Cornell student groups are focused on student health, and as we head into finals season, it’s nice to know the many resources available.

To view a full gallery of the event and see more participating groups, check out our album in our photo section!