Accomplishments in 2011-2012

Healthy UND/Healthy UND 2020 Priorities 2011-2012 Progress Highlights

• The Healthy UND 2020 Call to Action Report was released last October.   This report, which outlines goals, objectives, and recommendations for each of the five Healthy UND 2020 Priorities (Physical Activity, Nutrition, Alcohol and Other Drugs, Mental Health, and Healthy Relationships), was the culmination of two years of effort by numerous campus partners.
• Four subcommittees were established to address priority issues, including:
  • UND Alcohol and Other Drugs Committee (established through the Vice President of Student Affairs)
  • Physical Activity Subcommittee
  • Nutrition Subcommittee
  • Tobacco Free Campus Task Group
• The Vice President of Student Affairs and the Student Fee Committee recognized the importance of having dedicated staff for Healthy UND/Healthy UND 2020 and provided funding for a half-time graduate student to serve as Healthy UND/Healthy UND 2020 coordinator.
• Membership of the Healthy UND Coalition increased by 67 members this past year and now stands at 176 members.
• Health and wellness data from a variety of sources, including the American College Health Association -National College Health Assessment, CORE Alcohol and Other Drugs Survey, and surveys conducted by the Office of Institutional Research, were gathered, summarized, and posted on the Healthy UND website, thereby allowing interested members of the UND community and the public at large to learn about issues impacting UND students and their academic success. Two summary data publications were also produced and in-depth data on each priority topic were reviewed at each monthly Healthy UND Coalition meeting.
• The 2012 American College Health Association- National College Health Assessment was administered by the Health & Wellness Unit this spring, with funds provided by the Vice President of Student Affairs. At the request of the Nutrition Subcommittee, supplementary questions on nutrition were added to the survey to establish baselines on nutrition behaviors, which will allow us to assess progress on key nutrition objectives in the future.
• The Nutrition Subcommittee organized a variety of activities for National Nutrition Month in March, including an Iron Chef Competition, a healthy eating video competition, promotion in the Dining Centers, a food drive, an Amazing Race with trivia and food from eight countries, faculty and staff nutrition education, Culinary Corner Classes and an awareness/media campaign. Dining Services Guiding Stars Program has been recognized nationally twice this year as well.
• The Physical Activity Subcommittee focused their efforts on the development of indoor walking trails. The walking trails in the Parking Garage and the School of Medicine were completed, with all signage in place, and the Aerospace walking trail is in development.
• A recommendation by the Alcohol and Other Drugs Committee to require online alcohol education for all incoming first year students was implemented this summer. The AOD Committee hosted a policy forum for campus and community leaders, and two webinars, one on alcohol abuse prevention and one on marijuana use prevention. Key educational messages were brought forward through a variety of mediums, including Peer Theater performances, thanks to the efforts of several partners.
• The Tobacco Free Campus Task Group came to consensus on recommendations to enhance compliance with the tobacco free campus policy and forwarded them to Vice Presidents Reesor and Brekke. 20 additional tobacco receptacles and signage have been added on city property, where tobacco use is allowed, to enhance compliance with the tobacco free campus policy and to reduce litter. The "Proud to Be...Tobacco Free UND" Campaign, to enhance awareness and compliance with the Tobacco Free Campus, was also created this spring.
• Mental Health recommendations were advanced through various initiatives by the University Counseling Center including: the Distressed Student Project to assist faculty, staff, and students in serving as supports for students; an anonymous, interactive secured portal to engage those at risk of suicide; an additional counselor at the Counseling Center to meet increasing demands from services, accreditation by the American Psychological Association; the Exercise as Medicine program; and numerous efforts by campus partners to promote diversity.
• Recommendations of the Healthy Social/Relationship Skills Priority Action Group have been implemented through a variety of campus efforts to develop closer connections between students and academic departments/advisors to enhance academic success and retention and the formation of a new UND Sexual Violence Committee to enhance collaboration to prevent sexual assault and other forms of violence.
• A Health & Wellness Dean's Challenge will be implemented this coming year through a partnership between Work Well and Academic Affairs to support healthy behavior and role modeling by UND's academic leaders.