We know that the last 18 months have been incredibly challenging, between the global pandemic, the stress of the racial reckoning and more. Now, more than ever, it is important for us to come together as a Panther community to support and care for ourselves and one another.

Join us for some of the first of many health and well-being opportunities for faculty and staff. Directors and department leads are encouraged by campus leadership to permit staff to take time to attend these events.  

Mindfulness walk, crafting and yoga

Friday, Sept. 17, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Spaights Plaza. Join us for an introduction to mindfulness and how to intentionally use your natural surroundings to destress. Then, find a group of campus colleagues to enjoy a walk through campus.

• We will have craft stations available to color and write gratitude cards, and a station to plant some houseplants in clay pots you decorate.
• Staff will be on Spaights to help from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a kickoff at a 11 a.m.
• We will have all levels of yoga available for staff and faculty, led by Keri Duce from University Relations from 11:15 a.m. to noon and Natalie from University Recreation from 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m. Bring a mat or towel. No experience is required!
• You can also go out on your own. For more information, check out the mindfulness website.

Contemplative spaces

Friday, Sept. 17, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Library E275 (second floor of the East Wing). Come join University Counseling Services as they introduce mindfulness concepts. Come take a break, be in community with one another, and recombobulate during our busy day.  A list of contemplative spaces to relax, practice mindfulness or meditate, or just find respite are listed on our Contemplative Space Map.

Also, during Fall Welcome, faculty and staff can join us at:

• Sept. 2, 2-6 p.m., Panther Statue. UWM Alumni Association will provide an opportunity to take “Instagrammable” photos at UWM’s iconic Panther statue.  UWM Alumni will join faculty, staff and their families in sharing UWM experiences and take photos.
• Sept. 3, starting at 8 p.m., Pangaea Plaza. Watch “Shrek.” Parents, guardians and families can bring their kids, blankets and snacks and enjoy the movie with the Student Parent Success Program and the Women’s Resource Center.  Donkey!
• September 9, 5-8 p.m., Union Art Gallery. Enjoy ReCollections, a retrospective of 50 years of exhibitions and artists in the Union Art Gallery as the gallery prepares to close its current doors during the Student Union renovation before opening in a new space in the union. Connect to the campus through its history and art.

Come join our Panther student athletes for faculty/staff nights

Click on the links below for discount tickets for you, friends and family. Go Panthers!

Men’s Soccer vs. NIU, Tuesday, Sept. 14, 7 p.m.
Women’s Soccer vs. WSU, Thursday, Sept. 16, 7 p.m.
Women’s Volleyball vs. WSU, Friday, Oct. 1, 6 p.m.

Informal Dialogue

Sept. 15, 4-5 p.m. Faculty and staff can join us for the informal dialogue to share and process feelings relating to the past year and our return to campus. The informal dialogues will be held on Teams, Sept. 15 from 4-5 p.m.  Click HERE to join. During this dialogue, groups will gain insight into experiences and deepen their connections as a community by sharing feelings, being in a brave space and being present together.

Trauma Informed Return to Campus Workshop

As part of the campus healing and community-building work led by Student Affairs, Academic Affairs and the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (formerly Global Inclusion and Engagement), we are offering a workshop to help staff, faculty and students build awareness around trauma-informed care and how we can support each other after this last couple years. If you are interested, contact Adam Jussel at jussel@uwm.edu. The workshop is available for students, faculty and staff.

Campus Cares

Please check out the Campus Cares website for more information on all of these resources.

If you have questions, concerns, feedback, or suggestions, please contact Dean of Students Adam Jussel at jussel@uwm.edu.