Jeff Coté, The Occidental Taoist, who teaches Tai Chi for our Adult Learning in the Fitchburg Area (ALFA),program, along with one student, braved the inclement weather last Friday to teach is last session of Beginning Tai Chi. ALFA, a lifelong learning institute that serves adult learners in Fitchburg and the surrounding communities registration is open for Spring 2023 classes.

Earlier this week, our Center for Diversity and Inclusiveness treated students to ice cream sundaes, and a French fry bar - offering breaks during finals week. The events were welcome breaks from the stress of finals.

This afternoon, Student Development hosted a Pop Up Popcorn Finals Frenzy on the G-Level of Hammond Hall. 

Yesterday afternoon, students got a little break from classes, tests and projects this afternoon by spending a little time with Daisy, Mischief, Penny and  Fitchburg State University Police's own Odin in the Hammond Maine Lounge, These therapy dogs were a welcome respite from the stress of finals season.

Director Tanya Hoos Crowley, and Staff Assistant Jasmine Yang of Alumni and Family Relations were on hand in G-Lobby yesterday to offer students a respite during finals, offering a hot cocoa bar and some Fitchburg State University branded swag. Students were eager to get a boost and a break.

Today, the last day of classes for the semester,  Counseling Services kicked of Finals Frenzy week by giving out ice cream sundaes in G-Lobby in the Hammond building. In addition to the ice cream, students were offered an array of wellness and relaxation activities including, adult coloring, inspirational & affirming phrases, relaxation exercises, snacks and more! Counseling Services strives to provide an inclusive space that honors the strengths, lived experience, and uniqueness of each individual. Our counselors provide services focused on wellness, growth, and self advocacy, in order to enhance your success at the university and in the larger community. Good Luck on your finals!

Recently, Lourdes Ramirez, coordinator of field placements, partnerships and recruitment for Fitchburg State’s School of Education welcomed a cohort of local high school students enrolled in The Future Educator Academy program to campus for a day of programming. Students completed a badge focused on Supporting Mental Wellness in the Classroom, Working with Students Who are Underserved, Traditionally Marginalized, and Disenfranchised, and a badge on performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to adults and infants.

Yesterday evening, the Fitchburg State University community gathered on the Highland Ave. Plaza for the Annual Lighting of the Campus. Members of the staff each spoke briefly after the Fitchburg State Choir began the festivities. Holidays that were spoken about were St. Nicholas Day, Fiesta de Guadalupe, St. Lucia Day, Los Posadas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Dong Zhi, Soyaluna, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, Hmong New Year, and Three Kings Day/Epiphany. In closing, both President Lapidus and Student Government Association (SGA) President Miranda Gustin made remarks, then led the crowd in a countdown to the lighting of the campus.

Professor Kisha Tracy, and students in her Global Middle Ages course, assembled some informational packets,  "Hildegard's Horde," a medieval miscellany of entertaining education, as a take away for next week's Choral Kaleidoscope performance. On Tuesday,  the Fitchburg State choirs as well as voices from Gardner High School, Murdock High School and Narragansett Regional High School, will perform in Weston Auditorium. Among the selections performed will be pieces from the Middle Ages by Hildegard of Bingen. The packets are full of information about Hildegard of Bingen, the Middle Ages, and more.

Associate Director of Student Development & Commuter and Volunteer Affairs Shane Franzen placed the lights on the Highland Plaza Holiday Tree in preparation for the Fitchburg State University Annual Lighting of the Campus. The campus will gather at the plaza for the Lighting of the Campus this Thursday, December 1, at 4:30.