Staff to Celebrate Family Fun Day

While Lundi Gras on Feb. 15 officially was a staff appreciation day that provided Tulane staff members time off to be with family, this Saturday (Feb. 27) is a different kind of celebration. Staff Appreciation Family Fun Day is one for staff members to enjoy with coworkers and their families at a Tulane event that combines health, recreation and sense of community.

"Throughout the years, we coordinated with the administration to plan various types of events, different times of the weekday and at different venues," says Susan Barrera, chair of the Staff Advisory Council. "This year we decided to try something new. We wanted to allow for as many people as possible to come and enjoy Tulane as one big extended family."

Barrera says that since university employees have been making strides to improve individual health, the committee decided to incorporate that as theme for the day. Registration starts at 10 a.m. at the Tulane track and football practice field on the uptown campus.

The events begin with a one-mile walk for staff members and their families at 11 a.m. followed by free jambalaya, fruit, beverages and other snacks, along with games for the kids and other activities.

"We also wanted to show that the staff supports our students and student-athletes," she adds, "so we worked out arrangements with the athletics department to schedule the day with a home baseball game for our participants."

At 1 p.m. staff members and their families will get free admission to Turchin Stadium as the Green Wave hosts the Bisons of Lipscomb University. The game starts at 2 p.m.

Additional activities include free screenings for high blood pressure, obesity, lead levels and depression, along with information about skin health, skin cancer, reconstructive surgery and more.

Staff are encouraged to RSVP at the fun day website.