(Photo courtesy of Ed Brennen) “Students cross the new and improved South Campus plaza on the first day of classes.”
Julia Magee
Connector Editor
Welcome back all to another fall semester. Each semester brings a lot of change, and this fall is no different. O’Leary Library on South Campus has seen a major reorganization of each floor. The River Hawk Scholars Academy (RHSA), Centers for Learning, Writing Center and Advising & Student Success (CLASS) are all located on the first floor, while all library services have been moved to the fourth floor. The Writing Center’s previous location has been adapted into study rooms, while there are also study rooms on the first floor. Signs and displays reminding students of these changes can be found on the first floor, as well as in and near the elevators.
Tristin Henson, a junior biology major, says, “I wish they advertised more about the change before it happened… I only found out about it when I was looking on the website on the Saturday before class started and I saw a little snippet about O’Leary changing.” When asked further about the signage explaining the changes, Henson said, “The signs in the elevator are helpful because of the visuals, but the first floor display before the elevators are less helpful because it’s a block of text that’s difficult to read.”
This library refresh is a great reminder for students to learn more about some of the best free campus resources that they might not be taking advantage of. Common advice for the start of the semester is to meet with academic advisors or walk your class schedule before the first day of classes, but another great use of time is to make the most of these resources. There’s more to learn even for returning students.
The Wellness Center and Campus Recreation Center (CRC) are well known across campus, but not all are aware of the hidden gems that are less advertised. The Wellness Center is popular for its individual and group therapy, as well as its health clinic. One resource students might not be aware of are the new support groups sponsored by the Office of Prevention, which began last spring semester. These groups are led by Riverbend, a nonprofit in Lowell, and offer a space for students struggling with or impacted by substance misuse. If you’d like to learn more, contact the Office of Prevention.
The CRC also has more to offer students. Lots of students enjoy the cardio and weight equipment, as well as the classes offered, including spin and yoga. The schedule for CRC exercise classes can be found on the CRC website.
Besides these well-known offerings is the sauna. The sauna is located in the locker rooms across from the showers and bathroom. There is a space to store shoes just outside the door of the sauna and ladles for pouring small amounts of water on the hot rocks inside. This increases the humidity and creates a more soothing experience, and is also beneficial for muscle recovery. As the colder months approach, the sauna is a great resource to keep in mind to relax during midterms and finals.
