24-Hour Study Lounges, Massages, Pet Therapy Will Relieve the Stress of Final Exams for Rutgers Students

WHAT:  Each semester, “DeStress Fest” helps students at Rutgers University in Newark cope with the stressors of final exams through a program of activities specifically designed to reduce stress and provide emotional and moral support. This spring those activities include a round-the-clock study lounge, extended hours at the campus library and athletic center, massages, pet therapy, a martial arts class  and free snacks.  All activities open to both residential and commuter students.

WHO: DeStress Fest is sponsored by: The Office of the Chancellor, Counseling Center, Paul Robeson Campus Center, Housing & Residence Life, Athletics & Recreation, the Health Promotion Division of Health Services, Dana Library, College of Nursing- EOF Dean of Student Affairs, FAS-N.

 WHEN/WHERE:  April 7- May 10, various locations  (Please see calendar below) 

 BACKGROUND: DeStress Fest started with a twice-annual midnight pancake breakfast, held during winter and spring finals. For students who were cramming for exams, the pancake breakfasts provided nourishment, a needed break from their studies, and moral support, courtesy of Rutgers staff and administrators who served the pancakes while offering encouragement and a sympathetic ear. The breakfasts are still served but the campus has added a wide range of activities to help students manage the stresses associated with finals.

INFORMATION:  For mental health/stress issues, Dr. Pamela Heard, Counseling Center, 973/353-5805; for student life issues, Gerald Massenburg, 973/353-5541.  

 

                                CALENDAR FOR DESTRESS FEST SPRING 2011

 

NEED A QUIET PLACE TO STUDY? Extended  hours, John Cotton Dana Library, 185 University Ave., Wed. - Thurs., May 4- 5, 8 a.m. -2 a.m.; Fri., May 6: 8 a.m. -9 p.m.; Sun., May 8: noon –midnight; Mon. May 9: 8 a.m. -2 a.m.

24-HOUR STUDY LOUNGE, Stonsby Lounge, 91 Bleeker St., Stonsby Commons

 MASSAGE THERAPY, Wed., April 27: 2:30 – 4 p.m., Norman Samuels Plaza; Thurs., April 28: 9  -11 a.m ., Sat., April 30: 9 -11 a.m., Mon., May 2: 9 -11 a.m., all in Rutgers Center for Law and Justice CLJ), 123 Washington St.;  Tues., May 3: 1 – 4 p.m., Stonsby Lounge; Wed., May 4: 9 -11 a.m., CLJ; Wed., May 4: 8 – 11 p.m., Stonsby Lounge; Thurs., May 5: 9  -11 a.m., CLJ; Thurs., May 5: noon- 2 p.m., Paul Robeson Campus Center (PRCC), 350 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.;

 Thurs., May 5: 3 – 5 p.m., Dana Library; Sat., May 8: 9 -11, CLJ; Mon., May 9: 6:30 – 9 p.m., U-Square, MPR; Tues., May 10: 1 – 3 p.m., Stonsby Lounge

 FREE GAME ROOM: Mon., May 3, all day, PRCC

 FREE MARTIAL ARTS CLASS: Mon., May 2: 11:30 a.m. -12:50 p.m., PRCC, Dance Studio; Mon., May 2: 4 – 5 p.m., and Mon., May 2: 5 -6 p.m., PRCC, location TBA

 PET THERAPY -WOOF  THERAPY, therapy dogs on campus: Tues., May 3: 2:30 - 4:30 p.m., PRCC; Mon., May 9: 1 -3 p.m., Stonsby Commons

INTERACTIVE THERAPY Procrastinate, What?! Student Health Advocates Interactive Exhibits, Wed., May 4: 6:30 -7:15 p.m., and Unity Theatre Interactive Performance, 7:15 - 8:30 p.m., Bradley Hall Theater, 392  Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST:  Wed., May 5: 10 p.m. – midnight, Stonsby Cafeteria,  Stonsby Commons (open to ALL resident and commuter students)

 EXTENDED GYM AND POOL HOURS: Thurs., May 5, until 11 p.m.; Mon., May 9, until 11  p.m.; Tues., May 10, until 11 p.m., Golden Dome Athletic Center, University Avenue and Warren Street

 RECOVERY SUPPORT Rutgers Newark AA Meeting, Thurs., April 28: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.; Thurs., May 6: 6:30  - 7:30 p.m., Bradley Hall, Room 410

 RELAXATION STATION, Oxygen Bar, relaxing sounds and free ice cream, Thurs., May 5: 9 -11 p.m., Stonsby Commons

 

 

 

 

 

 

Media Contact: Carla Capizzi
973 353 5263
E-mail: capizzi@rutgers.edu