University News

Universitywide Kinder Mondays Program Continues

August 19, 2019

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MACOMB, IL – Making the world a kinder place one Monday at a time.

Kinder Mondays, which started as a program created by two counselors from the Western Illinois University Counseling Center in Fall 2016, has grown into a Universitywide program that aims to bring a little more kindness into people's lives.

Amy Buwick, director of the University Counseling Center, and counselor Ana Diaz developed Kinder Mondays (KM) in Fall 2016 a way to add to the positive environment at the University and, at the same time, encourage others to "pay it forward." Buwick decided that beginning this fall, this initiative needed to be extended Universitywide.

"Ana and I started Kinder Mondays on a whim; it was an idea to contribute to the University environment and to encourage others to do the same," Buwick said. "There can be so much negativity and unkindness in the world. We need to do our part in making the world a kinder place."

#WIUKinderMondays kicked off today (Aug. 19) with the WIU Office of Financial Aid and University Housing and Dining Services (UHDS). Beginning at 10 a.m., Financial Aid staff will hand out freezer pops outside of Sherman Hall 127 (until supplies run out), and UHDS staff are running the "UHDS Uber" (golf carts) today from 9 a.m. through noon throughout campus, giving students a ride to class. WIU Campus Recreation is also handing out bottles of water from 10-11 a.m. in the rec center.

Each Monday, a different University office (or offices) will serve as a Kinder Monday "host." The hope is that the kindness is paid forward, Buwick added.

Offices, organizations and departments interested in serving as Kinder Monday ambassadors can contact Buwick at (309) 298-2453 or AJ-Buwick to be added to the KM list.

KM hosts during the Fall 2019 semester, to date, include:

Aug. 26 – Chi Omega, outside of University Union, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (handing out suckers)
Sept. 9 – Beu Health Center (TBA)
Sept. 16 – UHDS (letters to freshmen)
Sept. 23 – Office of Student Rights, Responsibility & Retention (TBA)
Sept. 30 – Women's Center (TBA)
Oct. 7 – Office of Public Safety (TBA)
Oct. 14 – University Relations (time & location, TBA) (WIU stickers/WIU "swag")
Oct. 28 – Student Development & Success Center, outside of Memorial Hall 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (Halloween candy)
Nov. 4 – Veterans Resource Center (TBA)
Dec. 2 – Office of Student Activities (time & location TBA) (Smarties & positive affirmation notes)

Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing