Emory professor runs with students during office hours

An Emory University professor is making sure his students keep up the pace both inside and outside the classroom.

Biology professor Patrick Cafferty began offering “active office hours” four years ago as a way to get to know students in a different setting. Every Tuesday at lunchtime, he and a group of about 10 students go on a three- or four-mile run around campus.

“It’s an easily accessible activity,” Cafferty says. “All you need is your shoes."

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Junior Luke Roberts, who attends active office hours each week, says the experience provides a space for the group to relate to each other in a different way than they do in the classroom.

“We’re all on the same level when we go out for a run, and I feel I can be myself and really open up to the group,” Roberts says. “It’s more like a group of friends who enjoy hanging out with one another.”

Their conversations range from homework questions and class discussions to their favorite TV shows and weekend plans.

“I hear things I never would if we were at the office,” Cafferty says. “We’re all wearing running clothes and chatting, and it allows me to get to know them on a highly personal level.”

Senior Maiya Smith says running gives her the chance to build relationships with her classmates as well.

"It's difficult to get to know other students in large lecture classes,” Smith says. “By going on these runs, I'm not only able to become better friends with my peers, but our conversations vary much more than they would if we were just in the classroom."

To encourage all students to attend active office hours, Cafferty makes the pace attainable for runners at all levels. If someone doesn’t feel up to running that day, he’ll accommodate the speed so that person can still join.

But whether they’re walking or running, the students still clock an extra hour of physical activity they might not get otherwise. More than 60% of college students say they don’t exercise enough, according to a study from Northwestern Medicine and Northeastern Illinois University. Cafferty’s active office hours provide a way for students to optimize their time by combining class and exercise.

Smith, who ran cross country and track in high school, joins the runs every week to fit exercise into her schedule.

"Since coming to college, I can't say I've been as active as I have wanted,” Smith says. "I saw Dr. Cafferty's runs as a great way to get myself running again."

Roberts runs with the group to maintain the weight loss he began over the summer and to continue losing weight.

“Active office hours helps keep me in check every week,” says Roberts, who has now lost more than 50 pounds.

Sometimes the group adds more activities to their running routine, such as intervals and other exercises. In March 2015, Cafferty even coached a group of students for a marathon. After spending 18 weeks training, Cafferty says it was all worth it to see his students’ smiles as they finished the race.

"They all told me that before starting our group runs, they did not think they could complete long distance running events like marathons,” Cafferty says. “I was thrilled to see my students finish their first one."

In addition to inspiring students to take on marathons, Cafferty’s encouraging personality even keeps alumni coming back to join the runs.

Recent alum Josh Young regularly attends active office hours to catch up with Cafferty.

“Having a time to talk with an old friend is fantastic,” says Young, who graduated in May and still lives near the school. “He’s lighthearted and has a relaxed approach to things, which adds to his relatability."

Whether they’re returning alums or current students, Cafferty welcomes anyone who wants to stay active.

“I found when I was a student that as life gets busier, excuses to cut exercise out of the week become more compelling,” he says. “But the longer you stay active, the happier you’ll be."

Brooke Metz is a member of the USA TODAY College contributor network.

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