The University of Rhode Island opened a new lounge in the Memorial Union as part of its Collegiate Recovery Program, offering students a supportive space to reflect on their relationship with substances and engage in wellness and recovery programming.
Program Coordinator Arielle Sherman was given a grant by the state to open the space last year, and now it is finally ready for use after its grand opening on Sept. 19. Alongside graduate student Leetal Young and fourth-year student Andrew Meyer, the three of them created a cozy space for students.
Located on the first floor of Memorial Union in Room 118, the lounge has comfortable seating, with couches, rocking chairs and blankets. There are string lights and lamps to light the room, and many plants all around the space. They include lots of queer artwork and also have a fish tank with the names of each fish beside it. Drinks are also available inside.
Creating a stress free environment for students to feel safe in was crucial when development began, according to Meyer. Substance misuse can cause high rates of substance use on college campuses, and this lounge – a space for URI’s Collegiate Recovery Program – is designed to be the opposite of that.
“Our mission is always to reduce stigma and create a safe, welcoming space for students to engage with recovery and wellness in ways that work for them, without fear of labels or judgment,” Young said.
The space is open to all students, whether they identify with being in recovery or not, according to Young.
Young said it is crucial to move away from using the Phrase “substance abuse,” and opt for other language – such as “substance use,” “substance use challenges” or “living in recovery.” This is because the word “abuse” can create stigma around substance use settings.
Additionally, the space offers a variety of group activities that students interested in recovery and wellness can partake in, according to Meyer. Meyer leads an art group, which is meant for meditation and discussion, and he is also leading a queer wellness meeting during the week.
Young leads a “move to heal” group workout on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m, which consists of a 30 minute workout with modifications for every exercise, followed by an hour long support meeting. The workout will be held in Memorial Union Room 315. She also leads a women’s support meeting on Mondays.
Students come and go throughout the day wondering what this new lounge is used for. This has already brought a community towards the space, according to Meyer.
The comforting environment of the room has already interested students not just in the activities they offer, but also to volunteer, according to Young. Students have also said they have friends that could benefit from this space.
“It’s something that people want to be a part of in one way or another,” Young said.
A cozy space like this helps open a door for recovery and makes it easier for students at URI to reach out and get help, Sherman said.
“It’s getting students out of their own spaces to be comfortable with other students in other spaces,” Sherman said.
Although this space aids in creating a safe space, it is not offering clinical help, according to Sherman. This space is a space for students to discuss their relationship with substances and create a destigmatizing community, among peer support.
Students do not have to be seeking help or recovering to use this space. Anyone is welcome, according to Sherman, Young and Meyer.
“The whole idea of this space is for a student to spill a cup of coffee and know they’re not going to be yelled at in any capacity,” Meyer says.
Not only is this a safe space for any students, it is also home to a themed art gallery. Every month, there will be a new theme for the gallery with new contributing student art inside.
With its new wave of volunteers, the lounge will be open a lot more frequently, according to Meyer and Young. Free coffee and other beverages are waiting inside for interested students. Anyone is welcome to stop by and discuss recovery, do homework quietly, or enjoy the people within the community.
