No, I am not talking about credit cards or jewelry, I am talking about rules; the golden rule versus the platinum rule. Is there much difference between the two? Maybe you have some thoughts on the difference between the two or how you try to live this out in your own life. [More]

Today I decided to take a look at my environmental impact, also known as my ‘ecological footprint.’ There are several sites that measure your ecological footprint. I used the site linked to the Wellbeing page, www.myfootprint.org. The questions were easy to answer and for the few I didn’t know off the top of my head I used the national average, which was provided by the site. I learned that if every single person on Earth lived the same way that I do, we would use up 4.1 Earths! To be honest I was pretty shocked. I have become known to my friends as the eco-friendly fanatic and although I know that I am not perfect when it comes to being eco-conscious I do make a very strong effort. According to the website the average U.S. citizen leaves a footprint of 246.41 global acres. My consumption level was only 159.27 global acres. If my consumption was over 4 Earths this means that in reality U.S. citizens are living completely unsustainable lives that could consume over 6 Earths! [More]

After returning from 11 days of climbing, backpacking and kayaking, I needed a couple of down days to recharge the batteries.  Now that I am fully recharged, and have a little down time, I can tell you all about this amazing Outdoor Recreation Center led adventure.  The first few days of the trip we did some water preparation and climbing.  Since we were all starting from ground zero and building skills within a curriculum, the ORC staff had us learn some basic safety procedures and water rescue scenarios in the Gibb Pool on campus.  Conducting this training in a pool setting allowed for us students to get comfortable with the skills in a safe environment.  After we completed a number of ways to right and enter a kayak or canoe in open water, we made our way to the climbing wall to learn some basic climbing skills and how to set-up a climbing area properly when leading a trip.  The instructors were great at explaining not only how to get an area ready for climbing and the proper way to wear equipment, but they gave us reasons why this way is important for safety and uniformity within ORC trips.  Each of our trainers taught these tasks a little differently and in their own unique way, while maintaining the basic principles.  This type of continuity and cohesion from the staff gave us students a vision of how we should be working in the future.  The following morning we gathered at the ORC, packed our gear and headed out to Granite Point for some outdoor rock climbing.  While on the way, roughly a 40-min drive, the instructors didn’t waste time, they gave us information regarding what to do during emergencies at Granite Point and showed us a couple of different launch points for kayaking trips the ORC leads throughout the year.  Once we arrived at Granite Point, we gathered the gear and made our way up to the climbing location.  A helmet area was designated first to ensure safety while the top ropes wer... [More]

During my travels around the world, and throughout the United, I have seen many things and heard many stories, but few are as moving and inspirational as the Team Hoyt story. Team Hoyt is an organization established to help disabled youth in the United States.  The foundation started when Dick Hoyt and his disabled son Rick began competing in running races back in 1977.  When Rick was born, he was diagnosed as a spastic quadriplegic with cerebral palsy.  As Rick grew, it was soon realized that he would not be able to speak or walk.  His parents were insistent on trying to give Rick the most out of life by pushing to get him into public school and college.  Thanks to the persistence of his parents and his motivation and determination, Rick graduated from Boston University with a degree in Special Education in 1993. When Rick was 15, he wanted to participate with his father in a 5-mile road race to benefit a lacrosse player who had been paralyzed in an accident.  This was the first of over 1,000 races Dick Hoyt competed in while pushing his disabled son in a wheelchair specially designed for running.  In addition to running races, Rick and Dick competed in triathlons and duathlons.  After that first race, Rick told his father, through a computer program made for him at Tufts University, “Dad, when I’m running, it feels like I’m not handicapped.”  That moment, Dick and Rick began their amazing journey. In February, 2003, Dick Hoyt suffered a massive heart attack without knowing it had happened.  After continuing to compete for a few weeks, Dick decided to go to the hospital due to an annoying tickle in his throat.  The EKG showed Dick had 95% blockage in one artery and 85% in another requiring the insertion of 3 stents.  This happened just 3 weeks before he and Rick planned on competing in their 22nd straight Boston Marathon.  Unfortunately, they were unable to compete in the Bosto... [More]

Working for University Recreation (UREC) is a broad description, which can include being a challenge facilitator, fitness instructor or being involved in UREC marketing.Senior Reilly Costello works in another area of UREC as an Intramural/Sport Club Supervisor.  Reilly’s work with UREC takes him to different places on campus outside of the Student Recreation Center.  Intramural games can even happen in Martin Stadium!  Some of Reilly’s responsibilities are different than you’d expect, while others make sense based on his title. "I am the first aid responder in emergency situations and facilitate games and sport club events so everything runs smoothly,” Reilly said.  He also trains officials and helps them throughout the season. He’s in his third year of working for UREC and credits his older cousin for his employment.  “My cousin did this job when she was at WSU in the early 2000’s,” Reilly said.  Although that was just how he knew about the position, Reilly explained that his reasoning for working with UREC was due to the organization’s dedication to help patrons live a healthy lifestyle.  “I specifically like my job because it lets college students continue competitive sports,” Reilly said.  Meeting and working with people while they’re having fun with sports is another good take away from working with UREC. “I think it’s one of the cooler places on campus to work and the people you meet and work with are interested in wellbeing and the wellbeing of other people,” Reilly said.  For Reilly, a health-oriented person before working for UREC, it’s a nice to work in that kind of environment. Working for UREC is even helping him with his future endeavors.  When I asked if working for UREC connected to his future goals he said, “I would say that my future goals involve being a leader and being a part of UREC has helped me... [More]