Georgetown University joins other college campuses across the U.S in offering self care suites, activities and measures to appease those students unwilling or unable to process political views or election results that may differ from their own.
Coddling students or just giving them a ‘necessary’ safe space to shield from an ever polarized & politicized society?
Define safe space? Georgetown University in Washington, DC, has gone out of its way to provide ‘anxious’ prone students a ‘safe space’ to shield students dreading listening to political views different from their own. Along with kisses and hugs, college students are being offered cookies and milk to calm their nerves as presidential election results begin to trickle in.
These ‘apolitical cocoons’ offer students a variety of comfort items, such as milk, cookies, hot cocoa, colouring books, and even a Lego station, and a ‘necessary’ escape from anything resembling political discourse. Discourse and opinions that may differ from their own to be exact.
The ‘calming measures’ come courtesy of the McCourt School of Public Policy the nypost reports.
In an email sent to students, Jaclyn Clevenger, Georgetown’s Director of Student Engagement, invited the McCourt community to gather in the ‘third floor Commons’ to unwind with mindfulness activities and refreshments.
The suites are open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (local time), offering an environment focused solely on relaxation.
‘In recognition of these stressful times, all McCourt community members are welcome to gather … in the 3rd floor Commons to take a much-needed break, joining us for mindfulness activities and snacks throughout the day,’ wrote Clevenger in the email obtained by The Free Press.
The measure follows the one offered last week by the Ethical Culture Fieldston School, a private school in NYC, which offers its students the option to take a day off (just the like the one your employer or stressed out spouse) if they found themselves emotionally distressed after the election surfaced.
Commenting on the ‘controversial’ measures, Comedian Jerry Seinfeld a former Fieldston parent, told the nytimes last week, ‘What kind of lives have these people led that makes them think that this is the right way to handle young people?’
‘To encourage them to buckle. This is the lesson they are providing, for ungodly sums of money.’
One does after all have to justify unGodly college tuition fees and the ‘value for money’ and comfort such academic institutions now provide chaffing students.
Coddling students or offering a safe space to detox from an ever polarized society?
Other universities, like the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, have also introduced similar wellness offerings to support students in processing Election Day stress.
Puget Sound students can avail not just one day but a week-long line-up of calming activities — beyond Election Day. Options for relaxation include a ‘walkable labyrinth’ with ‘calming lighting and music,’ snacks and a creative space for arts and crafts such as beading and canvas-bag decorating.
Later in the week, those still feeling anxious due to the heated political environment can attend a ‘Pause for Paws’ event, where they can relax with therapy animals while imbibing hot chocolate.
Additional post-election programmes for ‘victims’ of political nerves at the institute include a ‘post-election processing space’ for journaling, collage-making, and comfort food, featuring a baked potato bar.
Not to be undone are measures being take up Missouri State University, where the counseling center has set up a post-election ‘self-care no phone zone space’ with calm jars, coloring pages, and sensory fidgets.
Isn’t it time you are also demanded your own safe space at your place of work, education or grocery market … where one has to now make sure they are not donning the colors of the opposing party which might offend and contradict your preferred world view and set you off?
