The Comfort Zone aims to provide a safe place for students
Vincent Thurman had a dream to change the way people interact.
“I believe that simple interaction with a stranger can change the course of one's day, week and possibly life," the Detroit sophomore said. "A simple positive comment or compliment can have a lasting effect that we may never see, but others will notice and the individual will find."
The goal of the Comfort Zone, a new student organization, is to provide the opportunity to meet new people in a small group setting, large group setting or one-on-one setting and create a judgment-free and anti-discriminatory environment, said Vice President of CZ Ryan Rooney, Grand Rapids sophomore.
CZ will have weekly meetings at 2 p.m. on Sundays in Barnes Hall, conference room C.
“It is the perfect place to just watch love happen," Rooney said. "The whole organization and all its workers are centered on promoting love and positivity and energy that it can bring whether it is learning how to love oneself or loving somebody else for who he or she is."
Taylor Perkins, Webberville sophomore, is one CMU student who is considering going to the CZ event.
“I like the idea of this event a lot and I would love to attend it," Perkins said. "I think it’s a good way to help students love themselves more as well as meet new people along the way. I think that it’s an amazing idea just because it will end up putting a smile on many people’s faces."
CZ's first event will involve writing the phrase "I am beautiful" in chalk on sidewalks on campus.
"The 'beautiful' event is just one event that will turn into many," Rooney said. "(The event) is just to promote a positive reflection of one's own self."
Rooney said the event was inspired by something that took place on campus.
“I came up with the event when hearing of somebody behind me in a lecture hall talk about how she did not feel pretty in her own body," he said. "All I wanted was to turn and tell her she was beautiful, so I did. The look on her face was worth it."
Thomas said the event allows people to feel love.
“The event is impacting because it is just an overload of positive energy and it is something that can be done anywhere, anytime and for any reason," he said.
