Free Massages, Stress Balls, Review Sessions, Yoga:
Helping Students Cope With Exam Pressures

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  massages, yoga, bellydancing, a pancake breakfast, dodgeball and basketball, a 24-hour study lounge, free snacks, and extended hours at a number of facilities, including the Golden Dome Athletic Center and Dana Library. All events are free and open to both residential and commuter students.  

 WHO: DeStress Fest is sponsored by: The Office of the Chancellor, Counseling Center, Paul Robeson Campus Center, Office of Student Life & Leadership, Housing & Residence Life, Athletics & Recreation, Unity Theatre & Student Health Advocates (Health Promotion) & Health Services, College of Nursing-EOF, Dana Library, FAS-N Office of the Dean, Academic Foundations Center/EOF

 WHEN/WHERE:  April 29- May 12, various locations: Kickoff, April 29 , 2:30-4 p.m., Norman Samuels Plaza (Rain location: Paul Robeson Campus Center, Essex Room, 350 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.  Please see schedule (attached). 

 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. General information: Carla Capizzi, 973/353-5263.

CALENDAR FOR DESTRESS FEST SPRING 2009

Destress Fest Spring 2009 Kick Off:  Free massages, make stress balls, giveaways; April 29, 2:30-4 p.m., Norman Samuels Plaza (Rain location:  Paul Robeson Campus Center, main floor, 350 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. )

 Study Spaces

• 24-hour Study Lounge in Stonsby Commons, 91 Bleeker St.
• Dana Library, 185 University Ave., May 6 - May 7, 8 a.m.- midnight; May 10, noon- midnight; May 11, 8 a.m.-2 a.m.

Review Sessions 4U

General Biology 102, May 4, 1-2:20 p.m., Boyden Hall, Room 100, 195 University Ave.

Elements of Algebra, May 5: 10-11:20 a.m., Bradley Hall, Room 148, 110 Warren St.

Massage Therapy

April 20, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., April 23 and 24, 2- 4 p.m., April 28, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m., April 29, 1 – 3 p.m., and May 4, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., all in the Rutgers Center for Law and Justice  (CLJ), 123 Washington St.;

April 29,  2 – 5 p.m., Norman Samuels Plaza and Paul Robeson Campus Center (PRCC), 350 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., and May 7, noon – 2 p.m., PRCC ;

May 4, 5- 8 p.m., and May 12, noon – 2 p.m., Stonsby Cafeteria, 91 Bleeker St.;

Commuter Rush

May 4, 11:30 a.m., 1^st floor, PRCC, 350 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

FREE Game Room!

May 4, ALL DAY, R Place, PRCC, 350 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Woof Therapy! Throw Your Stress to the Dogs!

May 5, 2 - 4:30 p.m., Norman Samuels Plaza

RELAX-A-RAMA! Check Your Stress at the Door! Relaxing Sights & Sounds

May 5, 2 - 4:30 p.m.; PRCC, 3^rd floor dance studio, 350 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Yo! Yo! Yoga Release Ur Tension with a Free Yoga Class!

May 5. 4:30 - 5:30 p.m., PRCC, 3^rd floor dance studio, 350 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Theater of the Oppressed Workshop: interactive theater games and methods for combating stress and empowering the individual.

May 5, 1 - 2:30 p.m., Bradley Hall, Room 207, 110 Warren St.

CRAM THIS! Eat, drink, laugh & DeStress with SHA & UNITY Theatre

May 6, 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. Student Health Advocate Exhibits & Games; May 6, 7:15 - 8:30 p.m. Unity Theatre Interactive Performance; Bradley Hall Theater, 110 Warren St.

Pancake Breakfast

May 6, 10 p.m.- midnight; Stonsby Cafeteria, 91 Bleeker St.

Ssshake Your Stress Off! Free Belly Dancing Class!

May 7, 4 -5 p.m., Golden Dome Athletic Center, 42 Warren St.

Relaxation Station: Oxygen Bar, Fruit Smoothies, Herbal Teas & More!

May 7, 9 p.m. - midnight, Stonsby Cafeteria, 91 Bleeker St.

Zum, Zum, Zumba! Re-energize & dance away stress with a fun & free zumba class!

May 7, 6:30 -7:30 p.m., Golden Dome Athletic Center, 42 Warren St

Smash Your Stress Away with Volleyball! Pick-up Games! Free Giveaways!

May 7, extended hours until 10:45 p.m., Golden Dome Athletic Center, 42 Warren St.

Sweet Shoppe Soiree: FREE Ice Cream with toppings, games & tips on DeStressing

May 10, 11:59 p.m. -- while supplies last. Stonsby Cafeteria, 91 Bleeker St.

Ssstretch Away Your Stress! A Healthy Dose of Stretching, Cardio & Relaxation!

May 11, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., Golden Dome Athletic Center, 42 Warren St.

Slam Dunk Your Stress Away with Basketball! Pick-up Games! Free Giveaways!

May 11, extended hours until 10:45 p.m., Golden Dome Athletic Center, 42 Warren St.

A Night at the Movies! Come Watch “Paul Blart, Mall Cop”

May11, 9 p.m., Stonsby Cafeteria, 91 Bleeker St.

Capoeira Demonstration! Learn the Dance-Like Martial Arts Moves of Capoiera!

May 12, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Golden Dome Athletic Center, 42 Warren St.

Dodge Your Stress Away with Dodge Ball! Pick Up Games! Free Giveaways!

May 12, extended hours until 10:45 p.m., Golden Dome Athletic Center, 42 Warren St.