Collaboration in a University Wellness Initiative

Marquette University has undertaken a vital and varied wellness initiative that may provide useful examples for other institutions. In May 2009 the Wellness Implementation Committee, consisting of twenty-six faculty, staff and administrators, was created to plan and implement wellness programming for Marquette employees. Guided by the Creating Well Workplaces program of the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA), we set the goal of being designated a Well Workplace and contributing to Milwaukee’s efforts to be designated a Well City. As committee representative for Raynor Memorial Libraries, I have had the opportunity to build new relationships on campus, promote library resources and services, and support health literacy. I have researched best practices, worked with other committee members and units on campus to plan campus-wide programs and activities, and developed LibGuides for the University Wellness Web site that bring together library resources with consumer-level information. The guides are posted in coordination with committee programming, and are also available on the Libraries’ Web site for use by health sciences students as they provide patient care. In January 2010, Marquette received a Gold Well Workplace Award from WELCOA. On March 18, 2010, Milwaukee was designated a Well City USA. In this session I will discuss the development of Marquette’s wellness program, how other institutions can work towards a Well Workplace designation, how librarians can contribute to the process, and our continuing health promotion efforts

Integrating basic research with prevention/intervention to reduce risky substance use among college students

Too often basic research on etiological processes that contribute to substance use outcomes is disconnected from efforts to develop prevention and intervention programming. Substance use on college campuses is an area of concern where translational efforts that bring together basic scientists and prevention/intervention practitioners have potential for high impact. We describe an effort at a large, public, urban university in the United States to bring together researchers across the campus with expertise in college behavioral health with university administration and health/wellness practitioners to address college student substance use and mental health. The project “Spit for Science” examines how genetic and environmental influences contribute to behavioral health outcomes across the college years. We argue that findings coming out of basic research can be used to develop more tailored prevention and intervention programming that incorporates both biologically and psychosocially influenced risk factors. Examples of personalized programming suggest this may be a fruitful way to advance the field and reduce risky substance use

Evolution of an academic-public library parthership

A partnership to improve access to health information via an urban public library system was established in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2011. A multiyear project was outlined that included an information needs assessment, a training class for public library staff, information kiosks at library branches for delivering printed consumer health materials, and a series of health-related programming. The partnership evolved to include social service and community organizations to carry out project goals and establish a sustainable program that met the health and wellness interests of the community

ASSESSMENT OF CAMPUS RECREATIONAL SPORT PROGRAMS

Student development and health issues among college students are becoming a major concern for academic institutions. To address these issues, universities offer campus recreational sport programs that encourage physical activity and healthy lifestyles. There is a robust literature regarding the benefits of general campus recreation participation; however, little research has explored participants’ perception of benefits related to certain campus recreation programming. This study examined data from Intramural Sports and Sport Club participants at a northern New England university (n = 324). Survey questions assessed students’ transferable skills and general health perceptions. Results indicated that several transferable skills and health perceptions are significantly different between genders within program types. Findings support the need to continue researching collegiate services to ensure students receive an equal opportunity to enjoy the benefits of campus recreation programming. Preliminary study findings and their implications for university administrators and staff will be discussed

Movement demands and perceived wellness associated with preseason training camp in NCAA Division I college football players

The aims of this study were to examine the movement demands of preseason practice in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college football players using portable global positioning system (GPS) technology and to assess perceived wellness associated with preseason practice to determine whether GPS-derived variables from the preceding day influence perceived wellness the following day. Twenty-nine players were monitored using GPS receivers (Catapult Innovations, Melbourne, Australia) during 20 preseason practices. Individual observations (n = 550) were divided into offensive and defensive position groups. Movement variables including low-, medium-, high-intensity, and sprint distance, player load, and acceleration and deceleration distance were assessed. Perceived wellness ratings (n = 469) were examined using a questionnaire which assessed fatigue, soreness, sleep quality, sleep quantity, stress, and mood. A 1-way analysis of variance for positional movement demands and multilevel regressions for wellness measures were used, followed by post hoc testing to evaluate the relational significance between categorical outcomes of perceived wellness scores and movement variables. Results demonstrated significantly (p ≤ 0.05) greater total, high-intensity, and sprint distance, along with greater acceleration and deceleration distances for the defensive back and wide receiver position groups compared with their respective offensive and defensive counterparts. Significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences in movement variables were demonstrated for individuals who responded more or less favorably on each of the 6 factors of perceived wellness. Data from this study provide novel quantification of the position-specific physical demands and perceived wellness associated with college football preseason practice. Results support the use of position-specific training and individual monitoring of college football players

Local School Wellness Policies: How Are Schools Implementing the Congressional Mandate?

Summarizes research on school policies to reduce childhood obesity, with a focus on their quality, evaluation, and funding; nutritional standards and nutrition education requirements; and physical education requirements. Identifies remaining challenges

Culture Counts: How Five Community-Based Organizations Serve Asian and Pacific Islander Youth

This two-year effort to examine cultural competence involved an extensive literature review, a survey of organizations, and in-depth reviews of five community-based organizations: Asian American Recovery Services (Santa Clara office), East Bay Asian Youth Center of Oakland, Filipinos for Affirmative Action, Helping and Outreaching to Peers Everywhere (H.O.P.E.) (API Wellness), and United Cambodian Culture Club (UCCC) (Cambodian Community Development)