It’s January 2018 and I find myself reflecting on the year that is still lingering in my rearview mirror. What impressions from this past year will stay with me, impacting the lens through which this new year will be viewed?
My thoughts turn to the campus VIPs—our students. The Library was pleased to once again partner with the Associated Students of the University of Utah (ASUU) this past December. We offered Stress Buster Week, held the week prior to final exams when students are preparing for finals and putting the finishing touch to their papers. In partnership with ASUU, we provided students with free snacks, coffee, parking, school supplies, and printing. We also had therapy dogs in the Library so students could take a fun, stress-reducing break– an incredibly popular activity for students! And the ASUU student leaders also arranged a free healthy breakfast- burrito event, which students enjoyed.
Yes, Stress Buster Week is outside the role of a traditional academic library. So why do we do it? We do it because supporting student success is at the heart of the University’s and the Library’s mission. Not only are we committed to providing scholarly resources and services that students need, but we also provide them with a campus hub where friendly staff offer everything from hot chocolate to dry erase markers, where they can have a few moments with an adorable puppy, or grab a hot burrito before they head into a final exam. The Library strives to be “All U Need” for our students, because they are, after all, the campus VIPs.
Ashlyn Aardema, Accounting Major Associate Director of Academic Affairs for ASUU
