Finals Finish helps students succeed exam week
April 16, 2003
KALAMAZOO -- Members of the campus and Kalamazoo communities will help students "dive in" during finals week by volunteering at Finals Finish from 7 to 11 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, April 21 and 22, at the Student Recreation Center.
The event, now in its seventh year, allows students to use the student recreation facility as a late night study and recreation area for the first two days of spring semester final exams. This year's program, "Dive into Finals Finish," has a scuba diving theme and is being sponsored by the Presidential Spirit Committee along with various University units and employee organizations.
"Finals week can be very stressful for students," says Andrea Johnson, assistant director of facilities for University Recreation. "This event offers various forms of stress relief. Students will have a chance to take a break from their studies and enjoy free food and fun as they prepare for their exams."
The Student Recreation Center will be extending its hours and offering students study rooms, a computer lab and open recreation facilities as well as snacks, massages and games. New for 2003 will be introductory scuba diving lessons for students who bring a swim suit and towel, karaoke, Aerobithon, and three-point and dunk contests. There also will be a Big Burrito eating contest on Monday night at 8:30 p.m.
Last year, more than, 3,000 students participated in Finals Finish, while 54 faculty, staff and administrators volunteered their time and several area businesses donated their products and/or services.
Johnson notes that Finals Finish is a celebrative event that fosters spirit and pride on campus and has become a WMU tradition.
"At the beginning of the academic year, Bronco Bash welcomes students back to campus," Johnson says of the annual street fair held the day before fall classes start. "Finals Finish is our way to show appreciation to students for their hard work throughout the school year and send them off on a good note."
Sponsors for Finals Finish 2003 include Big Apple Bagels, Big Burrito, Equinox Dive & Training Center, Frito Lay, Hostess, Kalamazoo Center of the Healing Arts, Kinko's, Little Caesar's, McDonald's, Minute Maid, Putter's Family Fun Center, Schafer's Flowers, Sweetwater's Donut Mill, WMU Bookstore, WMU Dining Services and Yoplait.
More information is available through the Finals Finish Web site at <www.finalsfinish.wmich.edu>.
Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 269 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu