YOGA IN THE GROVE – Ole Miss grad student Eun Ha (Jenny) Kim (right) leads a group of staff members in Yoga exercises in the Grove as part of Staff Appreciation Week. Photo by Robert Jordan/University Communications
While the semester has been winding down, the pace of work on campus has accelerated rapidly as commencement grows closer. Next week, Staff Council hosts its annual Staff Appreciation Week with lots of events to help unwind. A few of the perks?
Free Turner Center Access – Full-time staff members (and their guests, as long as they are accompanied by a staff member) can use the Turner Center for free next week (May 12-May 16). Just make sure you have a University ID with you.
Free food – Staff Council is hosting lunch for staff members on Friday (May 16) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the new Rebel Market, located in the Johnson Commons.
Activities throughout the week – Activities this week range from gardening tips and a recipe swap to Rebel Well events featuring workouts and healthy treats. (I will definitely work out for frozen yogurt.) On Friday, the university will officially close from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. to allow staff to participate in a variety of different activities like basketball and karaoke. Check out the schedule below.
Staff Appreciation Week 2014 Schedule
Monday, May 12
“5 Easy Steps to Turn Your Brown Thumb Green” Lecture
10 a.m. – 11 a.m., Yerby Auditorium
Join Landscape Services director Jeff McManus for a lecture and Q&A session.
RebelWell’s Jump & Juice
12:30 p.m., Student Union, Room 404
Participate in a short, instructor-led workout and a juicing demo (with samples).
Aqua Aerobics
5:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Turner Center Pool
A high resistance workout for people of all fitness levels.
Tuesday, May 13
A Day for Giving Life: Blood Drive
9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Union Plaza
Mississippi Blood Services will be set up outside of the Union. All donors receive a t-shirt. Don’t forget to bring some form of ID.
Recipe Swap
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Student Union Ballroom
Sample coworkers’ dishes and swap recipes during the annual recipe swap. Bring a double serving of your favorite dish and 25 copies of the recipe to participate.
Aqua Aerobics
5:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Turner Center Pool
A high resistance workout for people of all fitness levels
Wednesday, May 14
A Day for Giving Life: Blood Drive
9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Union Plaza
Mississippi Blood Services will be set up outside of the Union. All donors receive a t-shirt. Don’t forget to bring some form of ID.
Music and Meditation
10 a.m. – 11 a.m., Paris-Yates Chapel
The UM Family: A Celebration of Togetherness includes inspirational music and messages.
Thursday, May 15
Plant Swap
10 a.m. -11:30 a.m., Student Union Porch (Rain location: Student Union Lobby)
Bring a plant (or two, or three) for the swap. Make sure the plants are rooted, and bring a card with the common name and planting directions, specifying sun, shade, etc. This year, you can also swap seeds. Bring them in a labeled envelope or sealed plastic bag for the exchange.
RebelWell’s Yoga & Yogurt
12:30 p.m. -1:30 p.m., Student Union, Room 405
Take part in 20 minutes of “desk yoga”—yoga you can do right at your desk if you’re short on time—followed by complimentary, fat-free frozen yogurt with two toppings from Freshii ($4.99 value).
Aqua Aerobics
5:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Turner Center Pool
A high resistance workout for people of all fitness levels.
Friday, May 16
Staff Recognition Awards Ceremony
9 a.m., Ford Center
Join Chancellor Dan Jones, Norm Easterbrook and Staff Council to recognize outstanding staff members and employees who have served from 5 to 45 years. Door prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the ceremony.
Staff Lunch
11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Rebel Market at Paul B. Johnson Commons
Join Staff Council for lunch at the new Rebel Market. The menu includes options ranging from salads and sushi to burgers and pasta.
“Fun Time”
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Various Locations
The university will officially close from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Events include:
Basketball Tournament
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Turner Center
Registration forms for the three-on-three basketball tournament are available here or by contacting Carl Hill at cdhill@olemiss.edu. Registration deadline is Tuesday, May 13.
Karaoke
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Main Lobby, Student Union
Perform as an individual or a group for several prizes.
Bingo
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Student Union Food Court
Play Bingo for the admission price of one “white elephant” gift. (A “white elephant” gift is something that you already own and is good quality, but you that you don’t need or want anymore.)