By Beatrice Wood (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: April 1, 2015
Our lives are too complex these days. There’s too much stress on students with homework, extra-curricular activities, social lives, part-time jobs, and technology. Students need a break! This is why I am so grateful that, head to toe, SUS wants students to benefit from the new Student Union Building (SUB) which is set to open in Fall 2015.
This includes students’ spiritual health: with the new Sole to Soul Policy, students will be required to remove all footwear before entering the SUB.
It’s about time! I am quite excited for all the new facilities. There will be a reception desk with volunteer health-care students to keep the area sanitary and organized. Students will hand in their shoes and receive a card with a bunk number. Inside the building atrium, students will find foot-wash stations and complementary lavender foot-powder. Throughout histrory, the act of washing our feet has been seen as spiritual and restorative, and it encourages students to slow down and appreciate the little things in life.
This is all part of a larger university initiative to increase the use of naturopathic medicine, which is great for our health-care students. In addition to CPR credit, health-care students will be able to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-life work experience. This also strengthens the bond between caretaker and patient on a level beyond the physical.
Shaping up to be the most breathable building on campus, the SUB is currently being outfitted with plumbing and paint. When the floor is clear of debris, it will be sprayed with an anti-fungal sealant to protect from bacteria and mould. The furniture legs will then be outfitted with rubber casing to protect from any potential toe-stubbing, which is a genius move on UFV’s part. Many of the traditional couches will be replaced with bean-bag chairs and bamboo-woven mats to complement the Candlelight Care Policy — where 45 per cent of the SUB lighting will be provided by numerous scented candles and incense. This adds to the healing benefits of aromatherapy.
The policy states that on top of removing shoes, students will also be asked to refrain from self-deprecating or passive-aggressive language. This is wonderful, as it deters from an integral part of the SUB mandate: to offer a safe place for students. If a student violates the policy, they will be handed a pamphlet entitled Loving Language: Your Words and You — a lovely reminder to be kind to ourselves!
The policy will come into effect with the SUB opening in the fall. Remember: until then, shoes will be required to protect from injury as the different UFV departments move into the SUB. Namaste!
