Students across the country are remaining connected with Rose-Hulman by participating in a special social media network organized by the institute’s recreation, sports and athletic facilities staff to keep the campus community physically and mentally fit and active during the coronavirus public health pandemic.

A continuing series of video installments is featured on the Office of Recreation, Sports and Athletic Facilities’ Facebook page and the social media hashtag #stayingremotelyconnected to provide fitness, wellness, intramural and recreation activities to students and campus community – just like if they were at Rose-Hulman – during this spring academic quarter of remote learning.

“We wanted to remain engaged with the students and provide the extracurricular experience that they are missing out on by not being physically on campus,” says Seth Woodason, director of recreational sports and athletic facilities.

Current videos have included staff members leading online physical fitness classes, creating healthy snacks, and even taking a family dog on a leisurely neighborhood walk. Future segments will feature helpful how-to tips and a Couch To 5K running program that will culminate with a live virtual 5-kilometer run.

A fitness workout video is being scheduled each Monday, featuring Laura Butt, associate director of recreational sports and facilities, and Brady Cole, assistant director of intramurals and club sports. Nutritional snacks will be featured each Wednesday. Professional development videos by Sports and Recreation Center operations staff members Deb Howard and Brook Kochvar will be posted each Friday. These segments will cover topics on how to succeed in an online learning format with time management, note-taking/studying, how to utilize resources on campus, and some topics providing specifics about Sports and Recreation Center staff and their jobs.

“Developing #stayingremotelyconnected has helped expand the program across all of our platforms. Each member of our team is engaged in the fitness programs by posting their completed workout, posting an encouraging message and sharing the information to our own circles of influence,” says Woodason, who also is participating in aspects of the project. “Seeing the engagement from students, the campus community and parents has been encouraging and well worth the effort. The most surprising thing is to see (students’) parents interacting with the programs.”