By Jack Wynn

Students gathered at the Leadership and Community Service Learning office for free Maryland Dairy and an opportunity to learn about the office’s programs on Tuesday afternoon.

Treat Yourself Tuesday is one of many mental health-focussed events on campus. The University of Maryland frequently provides opportunities for students to engage with others and relax, often at the Adele H. Stamp student union.

The Wellness Series, for example, is a series of drop-in mental health events organized by the University of Maryland Counseling Center that focus on personal growth and developing positive mindsets. 

“I would say that they help with reliving, mentally calming you down and making you reflect inwards a lot,” Aridi said. “That’s definitely my view on mental health events and they’re very relaxing too. I definitely attended the wellness events, the wellness series — very fun.”

 As the LCSL aims to help students find a sense of belonging, most events like Treat Yourself Tuesday take place in the fall. This week’s event serves as a step towards promoting seeking a sense of community in the spring as well.

Armed with a bucket of ice cream, workers in the LCSL office invited students into the office’s seating area where they could enjoy a sweet treat and learn about what the department offers. 

Along with a free ice cream scoop, students who attended the event were given the opportunity to connect with the LCSL office on social media and subscribe to the office’s newsletter. These each provide students with easy access to information about ways to get involved with the LCSL department.

“The LCSL office has a lot of really awesome programs,” said Naomi Cohen, coordinator for social action and democratic engagement at the LCSL office. “We’re all about developing students into socially responsible leaders and providing opportunities to practice that with their fellow peers, which is super cool.”

Students had the option to take advantage of the available couches in the seating area of the office and hang out with their peers or members of the LCSL office.  

“We’re kind of doing a pass-in, drop-by event where students can get ice cream,” said Kam Risku, coordinator for curriculum and partnership in the LCSL office. “You can get ice cream, you can get to know other students who might be interested in leadership opportunities or community service learning opportunities.”

Students who arrived towards the beginning of the event got the special treat of a visit from Teddy the Terp, the University of Maryland’s famous comfort dog. Teddy was available for pets, hugs and belly rubs for students in the office. 

“Teddy the Terp! I love Teddy,” said freshman and business marketing major Sisi Aridi, who also works as a marketing assistant at the LCSL office. “Every time I see him, I smile. I just want to pet him because he’s such a good boy, he’s awesome and I love dogs.” 

There is hope  that the LCSL will hold similar events in the future.

“We don’t want belonging and community building to just stop after Fall semester,” Risku said. “We just assume that people found where they’re supposed to be or found a group of friends or a community that is helping them feel connected to UMD. That can happen all year long, so we hope to continue to have our open house [in the fall] and events like this in the spring.”

Featured Image: A University of Maryland student enjoys the free ice cream at Treat Yourself Tuesday on April 9, 2024. Photo by Jack Wynn.