PHILADELPHIA — Temple University senior Maggie Dunleavy and her boyfriend plan to drive across the state for a camping trip, "a fun, carefree weekend," as she sees it.
But the psychology major from Warrington, Bucks County, says she likely wouldn't have planned the adventure if the university hadn't canceled classes and assignments Friday as part of a "Wellness Day" for students and faculty to focus on their well-being.
Although the university offered an impromptu two days off during the height of COVID-19, this is the first that was planned and incorporated into the calendar, said Dan Berman, vice provost for undergraduate studies. It's a pilot year, but officials hope just the first of an annual event, helping to deepen the focus on mental health and overall self-care at the North Philadelphia university, enrolling more than 33,600 students.
