Clark’s Wellness Outreach Coordinator Erin Dolan says that it is known that February can be one of the more difficult months for college students. For this reason, she has organized Clark’s first annual “Week of Happiness,” which comprises events throughout the week that allow the Clark Community to come together and celebrate kindness, positivity, gratitude and optimism.
The week will feature a variety of “happy” events, including pop-up performances from student groups, “Happiness Meals of the Day” from Dining Services, prompts throughout campus that encourage kindness, workshops on positivity and finding passion in life, and “pay-it-forward” initiatives.
Observers and participants can watch for activity on social media with the hashtag #clarkuweekofhappiness.
Tuesday, February 3
- Cocoa before Class
- 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Red Square
- Nothing fights cold as effectively as hot, and nothing promotes happiness like chocolate. Take the next step by combining these two elements into a single cup of hot chocolate, the perfect treat to get you through the walk to class or home. If that isn’t enough, why not ask for s’more? A marshmallow roasting station and s’more ingredients will be available to anyone who stops by. Presented by the Outing Club
- Happy Yoga
- 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Bickman Multipurpose Room
Join Clark Yoga instructor Corinne for a yoga class that focuses energy on positivity, happiness and gratitude. Presented by Clark Yoga
- Embrace Your Inner Child
- 7 to 8 p.m., Blackstone 1st Floor Lobby
- Join RAs and residents for an event that is geared towards your inner child. Take a trip back in time and enjoy some childhood favorite foods, games and activities! Presented by Blackstone Hall
- “How to buy Happiness” TED talk screening & discussion
- 8 to 9 p.m., Sackler 121
- Join the Undergraduate Psychology Committee for a discussion on the TED Talk “How to Buy Happiness,” and explore the concept of creating happiness within your own life. Presented by the Undergraduate Psychology Committee
- Dining Services “Happiness Meal of the Day”: Carrot Cake
- Clark Dining Services head baker Jeannie Travelini has been making homemade desserts for Clarkies for over a decade. Jeannie makes hundreds of students happy every day by ending their meal with a little sweetness!
Wednesday, February 4
- Take the “Passion Test”
- 2 to 3:30 p.m., McCann Room in Dana Commons
- What are you passionate about? Get a clearer picture of what brings you joy and the life you want to lead. Come to the LEEP Center to have cookies, cocoa and take the test that will put you on the road to raising your happiness quotient. RSVP: jrobert@clarku.edu. Presented by the LEEP Center
- Happy Yoga
- 3 to 4 p.m., Bickman Multipurpose Room
- Join Clark Yoga instructor Tatiana for a yoga class that focuses energy on positivity, happiness and gratitude. Presented by Clark Yoga
- “Laugh-In” Party
- Noon to 4 p.m., Sustainability Hub, 912 Main Street
- Join others at the Sustainability Hub for snacks, games and laughter and watch funny YouTube videos! You will also get the chance to interact with resident pup- a Goldendoodle named Miss Elisabeth Bennett. This house-party style is event is ongoing, so swing by at any time! Presented by the Sustainability Hub
- Happy Yoga
- 7 to 8 p.m., Bickman Multipurpose Room
- Join Clark Yoga instructor Anne Marie for a yoga class that focuses energy on positivity, happiness and gratitude. Presented by Clark Yoga
- Dining Services “Happiness Meal of the Day”: Asian Pork Potato Bowls
- Ethnic cuisine is a favorite at Clark and students have been happy to see it more and more on the menus in the Dining Hall and Bistro!
Thursday, February 5
- Realistic Optimism Workshop (for faculty & staff)
- 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Lurie Conference Room, Higgins University Center
- Participants who attend this seminar will get a basic understanding of positive psychology and some of its many potential benefits, such as increasing creativity and productivity and bettering your mental and physical health. During this workshop you will identify some of your own strengths and goals, and develop and individualized action plan for implementing what you learn in your daily life. RSVP to cufit@clarku.edu. Presented by CUFit
- Thank You card making event
- 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., The Craft Studio
- Channel your creativity and make a thank-you card to express gratitude towards someone who has made a difference in your life. Upbeat music will set the mood; an informal discussion about gratitude and thankfulness will take place. Supplies will be provided. Presented by the Craft Studio
- “Happy” documentary screening and discussion
- 7:30 to 9 p.m., Jefferson 320
- Catch a screening of the documentary “Happy,” which takes a look at happiness throughout the world. Following the screening, participants will discuss happiness — what it looks like, where to find it, and how to increase it. Snacks and beverages will be provided. Presented by CWC in collaboration with the Clark U. Film Society
- Dining Services “Happiness Meal of the Day”: Turkey Baguette with Chipotle Mayo
- This is a Mindful recipe from Sodexo Mindful recipe collection. The Mindful approach to healthy eating is filled with choices, satisfying flavors, full plates and healthy indulgence. For many, eating healthy also contributes to increased happiness!
Friday, February 6
- Shenanigans Improv Show
- 9 p.m., The Little Center
- Nothing increases happiness quite like laughter. Join the Clark Shenanigans group for some surefire laughs through improv comedy. Presented by Shenanigans Improv Group
- Dining Services “Happiness Meal of the Day”: New England Clam Chowder
- Winter in New England would not be the same without a happy bowl of New England Clam Chowder. Dining Services soup Chef Denny happily cooks up 50 gallons of soup each and every day for Clarkies!
Ongoing Events: Happening All Week
- Dining Hall Happiness Table
Feel like meeting someone new? Want to expand your social horizons? Swing by the Happiness Week Table to sit with some other adventurous people, while stepping out of your comfort zone and interacting with someone new. The table will have cards with prompts to talk about all things happy, so the conversation is sure to flow! Presented by Clark Dining Services & Sodexho
- Happiness Check-Points
Keep your eyes open for Happiness Check-Points all over campus. When you come across one, perform the task that is listed on it! Instagram, Facebook or Tweet a photo of yourself doing one of the tasks using the hashtag #clarkuweekofhappiness, and be entered into a raffle at the end of the week!
- Pay It Forward: Random Acts of Kindness
Throughout the week, be mindful of kindness to others. Use social media to share acts of kindness that you witness, or those that you are a part of. Who knows? You may even be the recipient of a random act of kindness yourself! Presented by Clark Acts of Kindness (AOK)
- Photo Booth in the Higgins University Center
Be on the look-out for an interactive photo booth, presented by the Clark U. chapter of Active Minds. Play with props and have some fun on your way to the Dining Hall or class. Presented by Active Minds
- The Positive Post-It Program
Throughout the week join AOK, as well as the residents of Bullock Hall, Dodd Hall, Wright Hall and the Johnson Sanford Center for Positive Post-Its! Write positive things about your friends, roommates, floormates, RAs, pro-staff and maintainers on these small squares, then post it: on someone’s wall, door, or social media! Follow the hashtags #clarkuweekofhappiness & #FYTPride for positive post-it photos. Presented by AOK, and RLH’s First Years and Transfer Program (FYT)
- Well-Wishes table in the Higgins University Center
Swing by the UC between meals or classes and visit our well wishes table, where Clarkies can write messages of healing to those in our community struggling with illness. Cards of positivity will be sent to Sherry’s House and Hope Lodge, which provide lodging for families with a loved-one fighting cancer.
Members of the Clark Community can also sign a special card for Matt Robbie BA ’99, who is bravely fighting Refractory Hodgkins Lymphoma. Matt served as Clark’s events planning coordinator between June 1999 and June 2001. He is married to Coleen McKeown, former director of the Higgins University Center and student activities. The two have three children ages 12, 9 and 2.
