By beautifying the George Sherman Union and Marsh Chapel, I Embrace You President Elena Acuna said she hoped the organization could help mitigate the stress of finals week at Boston University.
“Our aim was to kind of try and beautify campus right before finals started,” Acuna, a College of Communication and College of Arts and Sciences senior, said. “We realized that even amongst ourselves, everyone gets really down, you know, right at this time [when] it starts getting really cold and it’s getting dark early.”
BUtiful, which runs Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., begins with an activity that encourages students to “say something beautiful” and “write something beautiful” in the GSU. Students can speak through a megaphone or write on a chalkboard, according to the Facebook event page.
Acuna said BUtiful will help to garner student participation in their cause and to encourage students to appreciate their surroundings.
BUtiful concludes with a silent disco at 8 p.m. in Marsh Chapel, where people will be able to bring their own music and headphones and dance with glow sticks.
“Actually we got a few strangers joining us [last time],” said CAS freshman John Ferraro, the director of the Corrective Kindness branch of I Embrace You. “It was a lot of fun.”
Throughout the day, I Embrace You will also hold a photo contest for the student who finds “something beautiful,” according to the website. The person who sends the best photograph through email, Facebook or Twitter will win a free T-shirt.
CAS junior Emma Walters, vice president of I Embrace You, said members hope to use the day to remind students of how beautiful life really is.
“It’s winter so everyone’s kind of down to begin with and it’s getting darker earlier and it’s finals period,” she said. “It will make people realize hopefully what’s beautiful around campus, what’s beautiful about each other as people.”
CAS sophomore Wilaene Gonzalez, a member of I Embrace You, said she felt the timing was right because people are engrossed in their final assignments and preparation for finals.
“I’m so excited,” Walters said. “It’s nothing we’ve done before, so it’ll be cool to watch people’s reactions to everything, and it’ll be great to hear people say kind words to one another in public.”
Several students said they like the idea and the timing of BUtiful.
School of Education freshman Abi Oshins said that she does not necessarily feel more depressed around this time of year, but that she does spend a lot more time in her room, whether she is studying or not.
“I think that [BUtiful] sounds like kind of a cool idea, but I think a lot of times people are so stressed that I’m not sure if they would really take advantage of something fun like that,” Oshins said.
CAS sophomore Doully Yang said that he also does not particularly feel down during exam period, but he knows a lot of his friends are freaking out. While he said that the events in the GSU should be particularly helpful for students, he thinks that some people might view the silent disco as a bit awkward.
“I think it’s enjoyable for the people that would like it,” Yang said, “but I know like other people like that wouldn’t resonate very well with the event either. It’s just not their thing.”
CAS freshman Ali O’Hare, a member of I Embrace You, said she hopes everyone who walks around the GSU during BUtiful keeps the spirit of the event with them throughout the day.
“People should just be aware of how much kindness can change lives,” O’Hare said. “And those are two really, really important things that we stand for as a group.”
