Welcome to V-Hawks Connect |
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As a famous college president once said, “Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.”
Our present circumstances have challenged our abilities to be present with one another on our campus, attend classes and university events, and participate in what we imagined this semester would be. However, despite these circumstances, we are finding new and innovative ways to connect, inspire, teach, learn, and engage with one another.
Our resiliency and our spirits are fed, in part, by our connections. This, then, is where we’re choosing to start—with connection. Today you’re receiving the first of our weekly Virtual V-Hawks Connect Newsletters, which is chock-full of Weekends @ VU virtual campus activities, creative service opportunities, fitness and well-being challenges, emotional health resources, spiritual growth opportunities, and so much more.
No matter where you are or how isolated you might sometimes feel, know that your Viterbo community is completely and wholeheartedly here to laugh, cry, support, engage, and grow with you as you determine your path forward.
Go V-Hawks!
Rick Trietley
Vice President, Student Affairs |
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Virtual Weekends @VU
Movie Night: We can't all get together for a flick, but you can join fellow V-Hawks for a Netflix Party Community Movie Night from 7‑9 p.m. March 27.
You don’t need a Netflix account to join in the event, which will feature a screening of “Space Jam,” the 1996 classic starring Michael Jordan, Bill Murray, and the Looney Tunes gang.
More information on how to connect to this Netflix and participate in the ongoing movie chat feature can be found on the Weekends @ VU page as well.
Movie night participants also will have a chance to vote after the screening to choose our next community movie night.
Weekends at VU Anytime: Our Weekends @ VU page also offers fun weekly games and puzzles and the chance to claim prizes!
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Campus Ministry Shifts to Cyberspace
We firmly believe that in times of crisis, God calls us to put our faith and trust in Him, to find ways to adapt to stay on mission, and to continue to move forward into the unknown.
As the Viterbo community (and world at large) continues to develop collaborative efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19 and as our student body remains remote, Campus Ministry has created a primary goal of providing virtual student programming that offers social, mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits to all who participate.
Programming that will be offered includes the following:
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Campus Ministry virtual office hours
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Online Bible studies
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Recorded and live worship services (Taize, Catholic Mass, and more)
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Agape check-Ins: Virtual Emmaus partners
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Virtual MUG
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Online spiritual direction through the Franciscan Spirituality Center
The virtual programs offered can be viewed on the Campus Ministry online programming page, where one also will find links to join these programs as they occur. We also will have a weekly Campus Ministry video and reflection posted to the page. Don't hesitate to reach out to Emilio Alvarez. |
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Emotional Well-being and Counseling Services |
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As we try to navigate through this situation, it is important that we not only take care of our physical heath but it is important to take care of our emotional health.
We have provided a link that shares some helpful tips on how to care for your emotional well-being along with those around you.
Campus counseling services are still available, with counselors able to meet with students who are in the area. We can also be a resource for those looking for support within the community.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to any of the counseling services team if you have any questions or concerns. Be smart. Be safe. Be healthy.
Counseling services staff members want to hear from you if you need help. Email or call LeeAnn Van Vreede (796-3808), Alicia Hengel (796-3810), or Chyan Johanningmeier (796-3809). |
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Community Engagement Opportunities
Viterbo, UW-La Crosse, and Western Technical College, in collaboration with UGetConnected, are working together to provide an intentional local service option that can be distance-based and follow social-distancing guidelines.
With the unprecedented lockdown and isolation across the country, many of our neighbors in area assisted-living and nursing home facilities are going to be even lonelier than normal with fewer visitors and traffic.
This is a great way to spread Viterbo’s hospitality out into the community at a time when serving the common good is essential, while keeping ourselves safe in the process. Check out what WKBT had to say about our efforts!
To get started, log into your UGetConnected account. There is a gray banner across the screen titled “Local Letter-Writing to Isolated Individuals” that can redirect you to specific Needs from local participating facilities. Email Colin Burns-Gilbert with any questions. |
Recreation and Leadership |
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Viterbo Recreation has a few initiatives underway for you. Here are a few things we have been busy preparing:
Get Social: If you don’t follow us already, find us and follow us on Instagram and Facebook. There will be daily posts, opportunities to interact, and chances to claim prizes.
Fitness Opportunities: While there are a wealth of fitness resources available, we have compiled some recommendations to help keep the Viterbo community active. We will be posting workouts weekly from our fitness team (Workout Wednesdays on Instagram) and hope to be offering a few live sessions as well.
Health & Well-being: We will host a virtual personal well-being challenge to help everyone “level up.” The challenge will be four weeks, broken down into different themes each week. Individuals may choose to participate in particular weeks or participate the entire four weeks. The program is free. More details will in next week’s newsletter.
Keep Up: There is more to come. Don’t forget to follow us on social media and visit our website to stay current on what is happening. |
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Viterbo University, 900 Viterbo Drive, La Crosse, WI, 54601
608-796-3010 | admission@viterbo.edu |
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