Treat Yourself Thursday: giving back to students
Nelson Shwe, Staff Writer and Graphic Artist
Treat Yourself Thursday, what once started as a small event has become popular with students at NGU on campus.
Leilani Mullinax, graduate assistant of Campus Life, explained that Treat Yourself Thursday was started by Campus Life 2 years ago to foster generosity for students. They wanted to give back to the student without asking for anything in return.
“A lot of times when you go to an event, they’re like, ‘you give us this and you take this,’ but we just want to give without asking for anything,” said Mullinax.
On Thursdays, the CMSE team will set up tables with takeaway treats for students until all supplies are gone. This takes place in the afternoon around 1 or 2 p.m. and the location is announced on NGU’s Campus Life Instagram story.
To reach different student groups, CMSE may set up in the morning or late afternoon because the students may be in class. They usually try to set up around when classes end so that most students will have a chance to stop by and grab a treat.
The treats given out vary from dorm snacks and supplies like ramen and toilet paper to muffins, doughnuts, and McDonald’s sandwiches. Recently on Valentine’s Day, CMSE gave out flowers, roses and candy to students walking by.
Kai McAnally, a sophomore, said that she liked Treats Yourself Thursday because it is free and students do not have to pay. She also said that it allows students to have a break between classes.
The amount of student that comes through depends on what CMSE is giving out that week. The treats can be limited in supplies if it is expensive or there can be many supplies if the treat is small. Mullinax stated that they have about two hundred or more students come through the setup on a normal day.
What helped Treat Yourself Thursday grow is that it has become well known to students. Mullinax mentions on Thursday that students are ready and waiting for the setup. During a covid peak, when CMSE could not set up, some students were waiting around for Treat Yourself Thursdays.
Mullinax said that students should look forward to Treat Yourself Thursday in the future. Campus Life is looking to expand the treats so that it does not just involve food but can provide an experience. They are also wanting to bring in more third-party options like food trucks or ice trucks.
“We have had snow cone companies come before and that was really enjoyable. I think we will try to do that again once it gets warmer,” said Mullinax.
Mullinax mentions that students can suggest ideas by swiping up on Campus Life Instagram stories or through messages.
