EveryBODY weeks gets positive response from campus

A mural with the words “You are beautiful” hung in the Student Recreational Sports Center lobby last week, filled with hand-written reasons why students were inspired to love their bodies.

Friday marked the end of “Celebrate EveryBODY Week,” a week-long celebration of body image at the SRSC, in collaboration with Counseling and Psychological Services.

Kristen Malmstrom, graduate assistant of fitness/wellness, said the week was organized in conjunction with National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, and students who suffer from body image disorders were encouraged to work with CAPS to find a resolution.

“Celebrate EveryBODY Week is our body image awareness week,” Malmstrom said. “We want to celebrate the body for the positive things it does, rather than the bad perceptions.”

During the week, the SRSC was decorated with boards that students could sign, pledging they would choose to appreciate their bodies.

There were also encouraging messages written on the bathroom mirrors, and there were two TVs that played YouTube interviews of students describing why they were inspired to love their bodies.

“When people walked into the building this week, they could tell something was different,” Malmstrom said.

“Celebrate EveryBODY Week” also included “The Great Jeans Drive” where students, faculty and members of the community could donate jeans that will go to the Shalom Community Center.

Kim Gray, director of marketing and sponsorship for Campus Recreational Sports, said 15 pairs of jeans were donated and she was pleased with the
turnout this year.

“The jean giveaway is a positive way people can give and give jeans that don’t make them feel comfortable,” said Andy Fry, assistant director of fitness/wellness. “The main purpose of the week is to make students feel comfortable in their own skin.”