
Let's CU Flourish
Newsletter to Support Well-being_11.15.23
Dear community,
Thanksgiving break is just a few days away. For some of us, we may be traveling to enjoy good food, fellowship, and fun with family and/or friends. Others of us may not have travel plans, but are simply looking forward to having some days off. Whatever your situation may be, we invite you to take a moment now to practice gratitude for having made it this far on your journey:
What is one aspect about your physical health that you’re grateful for?
What is something that made you smile or laugh today?
What is a hard lesson that you’re grateful to have learned this year?
Who is someone you’ve been able to encourage or support this semester?
What is one place, activity, or relationship that has brought meaning to your life?
Who is one person you’re grateful to have met this semester or this year?
Bonus: reach out to that person to let them know why you’re grateful for them!
Check out the events and resources highlighted below to support student health and well-being.
In community,
The Skorton Center for Health Initiatives at Cornell Health
part of Student and Campus Life at Cornell University
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Cornell University is located on the traditional homelands of the Gayogo_hó:no' (the Cayuga Nation). The Gayogo_hó:no' are members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, an alliance of six sovereign nations with a historic and contemporary presence on this land. The confederacy precedes the establishment of Cornell University, New York state and the United States of America. We acknowledge the painful history of Gayogo_hó:no' dispossession, and honor the ongoing connection of Gayogo_hó:no' people, past and present, to these lands and waters.
Bright Spots: Let’s See YOU Flourish
Gratitude arises from paying attention, from being awake in the presence of everything that lives within us and without us. Thanksgiving happens when our sense of presence meets all other presences. Being unappreciative might mean we are simply not paying attention. - David Whyte
November is National Native American Heritage Month
3000-year-old solutions to modern problems | Lyla June | TEDxKC
"What if I told you that the Earth needs us? What if I told you that we belong here... [The United State's] legacy will not be healed by simply appropriating and mimicking Native knowledge. We must also work to restore at least some of these stolen places to Native people."
In this profoundly hopeful talk, Diné musician, scholar, and cultural historian Lyla June outlines a series of timeless human success stories focusing on Native American food and land management techniques and strategies. Lyla June is an Indigenous musician, scholar and community organizer of Diné (Navajo), Tsétsêhéstâhese (Cheyenne) and European lineages. Her dynamic, multi-genre presentation style has engaged audiences across the globe towards personal, collective and ecological healing.
Meditations for Inner and Global Peace
Join world-renowned author and meditation teacher, David Gandelman, for a series of 30-minute talks, reflections, and guided meditations for Cornellians. Without judging or diminishing painful realities and associated feelings, we can practice centering ourselves while we invite, and give energy to peace. Each week will have a unique focus that will be shared in advance.
With a love for Cornell and local roots, David will come to Cornell to conclude the series with a special hybrid event on December 15. All Cornellians are invited to attend any or all of the sessions and no previous experience with meditation is necessary. Be in community together, as we care for ourselves and the world we share.
- Thursdays, Oct. 26th through Dec. 7th (except Nov. 23) & Friday, Dec. 15
- 12:00 - 12:30 p.m.
- Virtual with a special hybrid event on December 15
Please RSVP: https://bit.ly/IthacaTDoR23
Food Provided
Now available - Sensory Room at the Learning Strategies Center!
Do you need a break from the sensory stimulation on campus?
Visit the LSC & Neurodiversity @ Cornell
Sensory Room!
417 CCC Building, Open weekdays, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
The sensory room has a sensory soothing and a sensory seeking area for you to choose the level of sensory input you need, whether you are looking for a soothing space, or you want to engage your senses. The sensory room includes items such as: Yogibo bean bags and balls, Weighted lap pads, a Bosu for your ventricular sense, Soothing lights, Fidgets, Sensory books, Breathing ball, Noise machine, and more!
Upcoming Campus Events - We Hope to CU There!
Cornell Botanic Gardens
- When: Morning: Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Afternoon: Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
- What: Join us for a tour of the Mullestein Winter Garden and make an evergreen wreath to take home in this special holiday program. Students in our Learning by Leading program will introduce you to the Winter Garden, which features a wide variety of evergreens and plants with winter beauty, and guide you through making your own wreath using cut greens and other decorations. Learn about the cultural lore surrounding evergreen plants and the historical significance of wreaths, and savor some festive holiday treats. Refreshments and all materials will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own decorative embellishments to make your wreath uniquely yours! Register for either the morning or afternoon session. Please register early as this popular program fills quickly!
- Where: Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center. 124 Comstock Knoll Road, Ithaca, NY 14850
- Fee: $40 General Admission, $35 Botanic Gardens Members, $30 CU Students
Exhibit: Cultivators of Celebration
- When: Wednesday, November 15, 2023
- What: This display pays homage to the remarkable individuals who nurture and safeguard the rich heritage associated with the plants showcased in “Seeds of Survival and Celebration” exhibition. These cultivators stand as living connectors to the historical roots of Black plant traditions, illuminating the significant roles these plants and practices play in contemporary society. To further explore the preservation and current relevance of diverse plant knowledge, view this exhibit at the Nevin Welcome Center until August 1st, 2024.
- Where: Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center. 124 Comstock Knoll Road, Ithaca, NY 14850
Film, Theatre, Music
The Wild Gather: On the Floor, Off the Screen & Through the Body
- When: Thursday, November 30 from 7:30pm to 9:00pm
- What: THE WILD GATHER is a 3-day call to move, honor, and celebrate the living lineages of Hip Hop dance and breaking. As part of Cornell’s yearlong mission for Freedom of Expression and in tribute of the 50-Year Anniversary of Hip Hop, PMA welcomes legendary B-Girl Rokafella for a PMA student showcase, All Style/Free Style Cypher, film screening, and more. In collaboration between the Cornell Department of Performing & Media Arts with legendary B-Girl Rokafella, the Cornell Hip Hop Collection, the international Dance Films Association and Dance Studies Association, and Ithaca High School’s Creatives of Color, Art Classes & Art club, movers and shakers of all styles and traditions are invited to this participate in this multi-event series commemorating the original ‘Wild Style’—graffiti, MCing, DJing, and breaking. Together, we uphold and put to practice the founding values of Hip Hop: social justice, peace, respect, self-worth, self-authorship, understanding, community, and having fun. THE WILD GATHER is an open floor and forum for ALL to see and to be seen, and to hear and to be heard.
- Where: Schwartz Center for Performing Arts. 430 College Ave, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
- Fee: Free and open to the public. Get your free tickets at https://pma.cornell.edu/tickets.
Connect with Cornell Health
BPC Online Self-Paced Courses
Body Positive Health – click here to sign up for this course
In this two-hour course, you will be introduced to The Body Positive™ health framework that promotes every person’s capacity for sustainable self-care. You will be introduced to two of the five core competencies of the Be Body Positive Model: (1) Reclaim Health and (2) Practice Intuitive Self-Care.
Body Positive Fundamentals – click here to sign up for this course
Embodying all five competencies supports the integration of our health-promoting framework into all aspects of one’s life. In this 10-hour course, you will expand your learning of the Body Positive Health course and explore the remaining three core competencies: (3) Cultivate Self-Love, (4) Declare your Own Authentic Beauty, and (5) Build Community.
Note: Master’s-level therapists and registered dieticians can receive 11.5 CE hours after completing this course. There is information about how to get the CE Certificate at the end of the course.
Resources & Events Especially For...
Graduate Students - Diwali at the Barn
When: Saturday, November 18 from 6:30 pm - 11:00 pm
What: The Diwali party is an annual event by the Culture Fellow at the Big Red Barn. It is a celebration of the Indian festival and includes food, performances, dancing, and poker (non-money).
Where: Big Red Barn
First Generation & Low Income Student Support - FGLI Workshop Series
The FGLI Workshop Series provides knowledge, information, assistance and skill development for the topics and issues impacting first generation and low-income students. The Series addresses many of the basic needs and overall concerns that impact the FGLI student experience.
Register and learn more on CampusGroups!
Cornell Health and Talk/Text Resources
Help is available any time day or night by connecting with the following resources. You don't have to be in crisis to take advantage of these free opportunities to speak or chat with a trained professional or volunteer who can listen to your concerns and offer insight and advice.
Cornell (24/7):
- Cornell Health phone consultation (support for students): 607-255-5155
- eni Confidential Counseling Services (support for faculty and staff): 800-327-2255
- Cornell Office for Public Safety (support for students) 607-255-1111
Student Advocacy & Support Services and Administrator on Call (support for students): Business hours: 607-254-8598; After hours: 607-255-1111
Ithaca hotlines (24/7):
- Ithaca Crisisline (for anyone): 607-272-1616 or 800-273-TALK (8325)
- Advocacy Center (for sexual violence / relationship violence): 607-277-5000
National hotlines (24/7):
- 988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
- Trevor Lifeline (LGBTQ): 866-488-7386
- LGBT National Hotline: 888-843-4584
- Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
- RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673
National text / chat services (24/7):
- National Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741
- Steve Fund Crisis Text Line: Text STEVE to 741741 (especially for students of color)
- TrevorChat (chat service) and TrevorText (text line): Text START to 678678 (especially for LGBTQ students)
- 988 Lifeline Chat: connect with counselors via web chat for emotional support and other services
International services:
- See listing of international hotlines