Cambrian College has signed an international pledge to promote health and well-being on campus.
Today at a special ceremony, the College signed the Okanagan Charter. Cambrian is the first college in Northern Ontario and the fourth college in Ontario to become a signatory of the Charter.
The Okanagan Charter was developed in Kelowna, British Columbia in 2015 with input from delegates from 45 countries. The Okanagan Charter has two main calls to action: embed health into all aspects of campus culture, and lead health promotion action and collaboration.
“The Okanagan Charter is a landmark document for promoting health and wellness on campus, and it demonstrates our commitment to weave health and well-being initiatives into every aspect of the Cambrian experience,” explains Bill Best, Cambrian College’s President.
Becoming a signatory of the Okanagan Charter is one of the targets identified and now achieved in Cambrian College’s 2020-25 Strategic Plan. “Enhancing College Wellness” is one of eight strategic priorities in the Plan, with wellness initiatives launched under the Being Well at Cambrian banner.
“There is so much more to post-secondary education than academic success. At Cambrian, we want our students to be surrounded by a positive environment at every turn. And we want students to know they are supported every step of the way and have the tools to flourish,” adds Catherine Poulton, Cambrian’s Wellness Coordinator.
The signing of the Okanagan Charter is just the latest in an ongoing series of initiatives at Cambrian College to promote health and well-being on campus. Other recent initiatives include:
- Hiring of a full-time Wellness Coordinator
- Creating a team of Wellness Ninjas, specially trained students who organize
- events, promote wellness, and provide support to their peers
- Development of Being Well at Cambrian events through the year, including the
- Human Library project, and a Wellness Passport
- Creation of a new wellness newsletter, complete with tips and info on wellness
By signing the Okanagan Charter, Cambrian is also committing to expanding health and well-being initiatives on campus. Future initiatives include:
- Development of a health and wellness stackable credential available to current students, alumni and members of the wider community
- Development of a multi-year Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Campus Plan
- Provide annual professional development and resources related to wellness to faculty and staff
- Maintain and enhance Cambrian's student peer support network.
“Many people do not realize that the life of a student is one that can frequently face stress and hardship,” says Kate Keaney, Cambrian Student Council Vice-President and a student Wellness Ninja. “However, what follows these challenges is the incredible Cambrian community full of resources and supporters that are ready to embrace any individual with open arms. Today, I am pushing for all students not to face their obstacles alone, but to reach out and utilize the amazing resources that Cambrian provides. Together, we can work towards an even more supportive and inclusive Cambrian College.”
