The Residence and Student Life Office has taken a step towards increasing students’ mental health by placing a “leave a note, take a note” board in the Hawkins-Conard Student Center.  

The board contains pencils and colorful slips of paper, where students are encouraged to write positive and inspirational notes for others to take. 

The Residence Life Office aims to maintain a safe living environment while hosting fun events to unite the community and celebrate diversity. They intend to positively influence mental health in many ways to support students and spread happiness. 

The board can be found beside the Safety Services Office, across from the Eagle’s Nest.  

Darell Cannon, director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, led the project along with Emily Adam, director of Residence Life. The main goal was to brighten anyone and everyone’s day. The office was slightly worried about vandalism, but they are happy with the amount of notes that have been left. 

“We wanted to make sure that students knew they had a support system, both with our office and with their peers, because we understand and remember how stressful it is sometimes to be a student,” Adam said. 

Many uplifting words have been left on the board since it was put up.  

Some examples are, “embrace who you are”, “be kind to yourself”, “you are capable of amazing things”, “don’t give up”, and many more. These words inspire not only students who take these notes, but also students, staff, and faculty who pass by. 

 Cannon told The Collegian that the idea for the board was introduced by their office throwing out ideas, and was a group effort. They believe happy students are key to a healthy university, and The Residence Life Office has also worked on many other projects, such as a food pantry and “sunshine boxes” for students, which are boxes full of yellow items that aim to bring students joy.  

“As long as our community needs things, we will be here to provide them, that’s what our office is for. If there’s any way we can keep our students happy and healthy, that’s what we’re going to do,” Cannon states. 

With more paper being added daily, there is yet to be a set date for the board to be taken down. Cannon plans on directing more projects like this in the future along with help from the Residence Life Office.  

Students, faculty and staff are greatly encouraged to stop by to write or take a note.