Wellness at Colgate University spans far beyond a workout at the gym or a break from studying — for many, wellness on campus includes accessing Haven’s vital resources. Haven is a sexual violence resource center that provides care and support for students. The center works to have widespread outreach on campus with services for all Colgate students, through both formal and informal settings.
Yes Means Yes is a six-week positive sexuality seminar organized by Haven that attempts to destigmatize talks of sex and sexuality by holding open and honest conversations in an effort to create a healthy sexual environment on Colgate’s campus and combat sexual violence.
Senior Diya Mehta has been the Yes Means Yes intern for multiple semesters.
“I took Yes Means Yes my [first-year] fall, and I really liked the class a lot,” Mehta said. “It was a really good space where I became confident in myself and the opinions that I hold. It’s given me a space where I can talk freely and understand others as much as I want to be understood.”
Mehta believes that this understanding is special in its own way, as it enables students to become more confident in themselves.
“Yes Means Yes increases wellness by showing people that they can have vulnerable conversations, and it increases the confidence people have,” Mehta said. “There have been many times where we start a program, and on the first day say a little bit about ourselves. Then, on the last day when we say a little about ourselves the confidence that I can very clearly see that they have gained throughout the seven weeks is really inspiring.”
While Yes Means Yes offers open and honest conversations, Haven Ambassadors promote wellness beyond a classroom setting. Sophomores Ella Bahmann and Sylvia Cosin, both Haven Ambassadors, are a confidential resource for their peers to turn to.
“We are really good in-between resources […] and are able to connect people to the right path,” Bahmann said.
Their Haven Ambassador role allows students to receive the support they may need in an accessible way. Beyond conversations with peers, Cosin engages in activities with Haven throughout campus.
“All of us participated in a march throughout campus called the Take Back the Night March to raise awareness about sexual violence on campus,” Cosin said.
They have also both participated in Denim Day, a day in which denim is worn to raise awareness for sexual assault, stop victim blaming and combat sexual violence. You can also find them occasionally tabling at the O’Connor Campus Center (Coop) in an effort to inform the campus community of the resources that Haven has available.
Mehta also spoke positively of her involvement beyond Yes Means Yes.
“I partake in Denim Day and Wellness Week and encourage others to partake in them, too,” Mehta said.
Mehta, Cosin and Bahmann were all incredibly enthusiastic about getting involved. Bahmann mentioned the community Haven Ambassadors fosters.
“It’s really amazing to be around people that are supported and motivated to use these resources,” Bahmann said. “Try it out, it’s really cool.”
Mehta echoed a very similar sentiment when discussing Yes Means Yes.
“It does not have to be for every single person, but I think it’s worth a shot,” Mehta said. “Either way you learn a lot about yourself.”
