Staffan Elgelid, a professor in Physical Therapy and I, as Dean of HHS, are leading a campus wide committee to develop a strategic plan which will establish a culture of wellness here at Nazareth. Our concept of wellness is multidemensional including the physical, social, emotional, spiritual, environmental, intellectual, and financial aspects of life. We have had for many years wellness activities that are sponsored by various organizations across campus, but we have not had an overall organized structure that crosses students, faculty, and staff.
Recently, Indiana University pointed out the importance of campus wellness programs. They found major differences between freshmen and seniors in level of moderate physical activity, vigorous physical activity, body mass index, and time spent sitting. They concluded that many "students came out of college significantly less active and heavier compared to the start of their freshman year". They argued that college is a critical point in students' lives as they take on the responsibility for leading a healthy lifestyle. For faculty and staff, the large proportion of the work day that is spent sitting at computers presents some of the same challenges to health and wellness.
A website and blog will be the hub for wellness activities and information to promote healthy behaviors, health literacy, and health advocacy. We plan to kick off the formal program in Fall, 2011.
