campus news

A summer to-do list for UB employees

Kayakers paddle around Lake LaSalle on a summer day.

Kayaking on Lake LaSalle is a pleasant way to spend a summer afternoon. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

By GRACE GERASS

Published June 20, 2025

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It's finally summer, and now's the time to recharge, reconnect and rediscover all that UB has to offer. Whether you’re looking to unwind, discover new interests or take advantage of the sunshine, UB has a wide range of opportunities for faculty and staff to explore.

Mark your calendar, rally your co-workers and dive into this summer bucket list — crafted to help UB employees stay active, inspired and connected to their True Blue spirit all summer long.

Attend a summer fitness class

Fitness classes, organized by Human Resources and Recreation and Intramural Services, return to the North Campus this summer. The following classes begin the week of July 7:

  • Strength and Stability — focusing on gentle exercises that promote cardiovascular fitness, flexibility and balance — is held Mondays from 12:10-12:50 p.m. in the Dance Studio in 75 Alumni Arena.
  • Wednesday Morning Flow — focusing on deep stretches, mindful breathing and relaxation — is held Wednesdays from 7-7:45 a.m. in the Yoga Studio in 144 Alumni Arena.
  • Muscle Pump — which focuses on how to define, sculpt and build lean muscle — is held Wednesdays from 12:10-12:50 p.m. in the Dance Studio in 75 Alumni Arena.

Learn more and register for fitness classes here.

Get moving with UB Recreation

UB faculty and staff can take advantage of complimentary hours at Alumni Arena (indoor jogging track, swimming pool, racquetball court, sauna and steam room, and locker room) and Clark Hall (main gym, swimming pool, racquetball and squash courts, and locker rooms) from 7-8 a.m. and noon to 1 p.m. every Monday through Friday.

Need more access? Become a UB Recreation member ($25/month for faculty and staff) to gain full gym access and participate in a wide range of programs and services like Open REC: Sports, including swim, basketball, pickleball and other sports, and Open REC: Programs, such as Quiet Reflection and Unplug and Play.

Join the Campus Walking Program

The Campus Walking Program features walks around the North and South campuses. Each week, the group walks at its own pace and meets other colleagues from around campus. One-mile North Campus walks meet at Founder’s Plaza every Tuesday at noon, and one-mile South Campus walks meet at the Abbott Hall stairs every Wednesday at noon. There will also be one-and-a-half mile walks around the Ellicott Complex on the North Campus on June 24, July 15 and Aug. 19. Registration is encouraged for each walk.

Take a morning yoga class at South Lake Village Apartments

hosted by Independent Health and the YMCA, is returning for its 14th year of free outdoor fitness classes at parks across Western New York. Check out the yoga classes taught by certified YMCA instructors at UB’s South Lake Village Apartments. Classes begin at 7 a.m. every Thursday through Aug. 14 on the Community Building patio.

See a concert, performance or play at the CFA

The Center for the Arts is celebrating 30 years of memorable experiences this season. Whether you want to see the Greater Niagara Ballet Company production of Swan Lake, are looking to laugh at one of the comedy shows or if one of the many other concerts and performances are more your style, there’s something for everyone at the CFA. Grab your friends and family and join in the celebration by .

Meet your colleagues for lunch at Big Blue or Little Blue

Craving Buffalo chicken mac and cheese, BBQ pulled pork tater tots or a falafel pita? Take an office break and meet your co-workers at Big Blue or Little Blue outside for lunch. Keep an eye on the and social media accounts for the latest schedules and menus.

Rent a kayak on Lake LaSalle

Lake LaSalle, the 60-acre, human-made body of water on the North Campus, is a popular spot on campus for fishing, sunbathing and views. But did you know you can rent a kayak and paddle on the lake during the summer? The , managed by the Student Association, offers free kayak rentals on a first-come, first-serve basis (you must know how to swim).

Take in a film under the stars

Get out the lawn chairs, gather the snacks and round up the kids: The Student Association’s Summer Film Series is back for another season of free screenings of popular films on the Special Events Field near the Student Union on the North Campus. The series opens June 24 with Pixar Animation Studio’s “Inside Out 2.” 

Explore the community by bike

For $10 per year and $2 per hour per ride, the UB community can UB Bikeshare bikes are equipped with GPS capabilities, the same as all bikes in the Reddy Bikeshare fleet within the cities of Buffalo and Niagara Falls. With annual membership, UB students, faculty and staff have access to the entire fleet of Reddy Bikeshare bikes throughout the region.

Join UB’s team at the Ride for Roswell on June 28

UB’s welcoming the 30th Ride for Roswell on June 28. Faculty, staff, students and alumni are invited to join the university’s team, now under a new, unified name: UB. Your family and friends are welcome to join in, too. Not a rider? Come and cheer on the team.

Go to UB on the Green on July 23

UB on the Green — the annual free, family-friendly festival where UB meets the community — is scheduled for July 23. Attendees can meet from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Hayes Lawn on the South Campus for local musical performances, food trucks and community engagement. Bring your family, snacks and a blanket.

Register for UB Football Women’s Night Aug. 5

Join the UB coaching staff and community guests on Aug. 5 for — an evening with appetizers and drinks, and an inside look at Western New York’s only Division I football program. Hear from local sportscaster Heather Prusak; Hayley Beane, wife of Buffalo Bills General Manager Brandon Beane; and Jen Lembo, wife of UB Head Football Coach Pete Lembo. You must be at least 21 years old to attend.

Spark your imagination at the libraries

Craving inspiration to get you out of a creative funk, or looking for a much-needed mental break? The UB libraries are full of more than books. Check out these opportunities next time you need to unwind in the AC.

  • Lego area. Get back to playing at the on the third floor of Silverman Library. Build something cool or unique and for a chance to be featured on the libraries’ social media accounts.
  • Music Library. Located on the fifth floor of Lockwood Memorial Library, the Music Library serves the music information needs of our local arts community and is a destination for casual listeners wishing to expand their musical horizons. It’s open to all who enjoy music.
  • Explore exhibitions. The 猛料视频 Libraries offer a rotating schedule of Learn more about how occult influences shaped queer identity in 420 Capen Hall or browse a unique assemblage of rare scientific books, manuscripts, anatomical models, diagnostic tools and medical artifacts on the third floor of Silverman.

Sign up for a free training course

Make the most of your summer schedule by signing up for one of Organizational Development’s trainings and resources. Whether you’re looking to learn how to improve your communication style, become a better leader, be more productive at work, build better relationships with co-workers or identify a new skill, UB EDGE offers a range of free virtual and in-person courses for individual employees and teams.

Hear from career experts around the globe

With UB’s alumni webinar series, learn smart strategies for success and take the necessary steps to gain confidence personally and professionally. Hear from members of the UB community and top career experts from around the globe, anytime that fits your schedule. Visit the webinar website for upcoming topics or find something that interests you in the archives of more than 250 episodes.

Snap a picture at True Blue photo spots
UB’s three campuses are home to many iconic photo spots. Most of us are familiar with the big ones — like Baird Point, Hayes Hall and the bronze bison in Coventry Loop. But when’s the last time you walked to Kanazawa Island, checked out the views at Squire Hall or visited the Clinical and Translational Research Center? Make it your mission to visit as many as possible this summer and share your favorites with 猛料视频 Communications.