How long has your team been working as a collaborative Buckeye Wellness Innovator group?
two to four years
Approximately how many people are in your department, unit, building, or college?
We have approximately 200 faculty and staff on the Marion campus.
Regarding your department or unit's wellness efforts, which of the nine dimensions of wellness has your team addressed?
- Physical
- Emotional
- Social
- Spiritual
Describe one successful activity that your team has planned around the nine dimensions of wellness.
Using wellness funds, we purchased two infusing water dispensers to promote the idea of 'Water First for Thirst' at departmental and staff meetings. Faculty and staff look forward to the variety of infusions and express that they feel refreshed by the healthy beverage choice. Both dispensers are typically empty by the end of the meeting!
Describe another successful activity that your team planned around the nine dimensions of wellness.
In February, the Marion campus celebrated the 2nd anniversary of hosting a free, fresh produce market, twice a month for students, faculty and staff. In partnership with Mid-Ohio Food Bank, the produce is delivered to campus the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. Along with the produce, we provide recipes, offer samples and at times have cooking demonstrations! We emphasize the role nutrition plays in overall wellness and for students we correlate strong academic performance with well nourished brains. The Fresh Express Produce Market brings much energy and fun to the campus!
If your team has kept track of participation rates for your activities, what is your approximate average attendance?
For the Water First for Thirst, it depends on the attendance of the meeting. I would guess 66% of attendees partake in the enjoying the infused water. On average, we serve right around 100 people at each produce market.
How does your team communicate wellness events and resources to your colleagues?
We primarily use sandwich boards and put out our green vegetable cart on produce days.
Describe how a manager or supervisor in your unit/department/building/college has shown support for your Buckeye Wellness Innovator team.
An advantage of a smaller campus is that most people know each other and we tend to support each other's programs and activities. We have received nothing but positivity for both the Water First for Thirst and the produce market.
What has your lead administrator/dean/vice president/department chair specifically done to show support for your Buckeye Wellness Innovator team?
Dean Greg Rose is a great supporter of everything wellness related on the Marion campus. He has matched wellness funding, leads wellness walks and is first in line at the water dispenser!
Please share how your team has overcome barriers to engaging your colleagues and/or students in your wellness efforts.
We really have not experience many barriers. We work hard to communicate often about wellness, keeping its importance at the forefront in everyone's mind. I am sure that some people delete emails or stop listening, but I think it reaches most people.
If you could accomplish anything as a Buckeye Wellness Innovator team, what would your dream be?
To have more people make mental wellness as much of a priority as they do their physical wellness. We are still working to break down stigma and make this a regular part of a, "How are doing?" conversation. This summer, we are piloting a weekly, 10 minute, mindfulness group for staff and faculty. Hopefully, we will have some interest and build onto that into autumn semester.
The Ohio State University - Marion Campus
How long has your team been working as a collaborative Buckeye Wellness Innovator group?
two to four years
Approximately how many people are in your department, unit, building, or college?
We have approximately 200 faculty and staff on the Marion campus.
Regarding your department or unit's wellness efforts, which of the nine dimensions of wellness has your team addressed?
- Physical
- Emotional
- Social
- Spiritual
Describe one successful activity that your team has planned around the nine dimensions of wellness.
Using wellness funds, we purchased two infusing water dispensers to promote the idea of 'Water First for Thirst' at departmental and staff meetings. Faculty and staff look forward to the variety of infusions and express that they feel refreshed by the healthy beverage choice. Both dispensers are typically empty by the end of the meeting!
Describe another successful activity that your team planned around the nine dimensions of wellness.
In February, the Marion campus celebrated the 2nd anniversary of hosting a free, fresh produce market, twice a month for students, faculty and staff. In partnership with Mid-Ohio Food Bank, the produce is delivered to campus the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. Along with the produce, we provide recipes, offer samples and at times have cooking demonstrations! We emphasize the role nutrition plays in overall wellness and for students we correlate strong academic performance with well nourished brains. The Fresh Express Produce Market brings much energy and fun to the campus!
If your team has kept track of participation rates for your activities, what is your approximate average attendance?
For the Water First for Thirst, it depends on the attendance of the meeting. I would guess 66% of attendees partake in the enjoying the infused water. On average, we serve right around 100 people at each produce market.
How does your team communicate wellness events and resources to your colleagues?
We primarily use sandwich boards and put out our green vegetable cart on produce days.
Describe how a manager or supervisor in your unit/department/building/college has shown support for your Buckeye Wellness Innovator team.
An advantage of a smaller campus is that most people know each other and we tend to support each other's programs and activities. We have received nothing but positivity for both the Water First for Thirst and the produce market.
What has your lead administrator/dean/vice president/department chair specifically done to show support for your Buckeye Wellness Innovator team?
Dean Greg Rose is a great supporter of everything wellness related on the Marion campus. He has matched wellness funding, leads wellness walks and is first in line at the water dispenser!
Please share how your team has overcome barriers to engaging your colleagues and/or students in your wellness efforts.
We really have not experience many barriers. We work hard to communicate often about wellness, keeping its importance at the forefront in everyone's mind. I am sure that some people delete emails or stop listening, but I think it reaches most people.
If you could accomplish anything as a Buckeye Wellness Innovator team, what would your dream be?
To have more people make mental wellness as much of a priority as they do their physical wellness. We are still working to break down stigma and make this a regular part of a, "How are doing?" conversation. This summer, we are piloting a weekly, 10 minute, mindfulness group for staff and faculty. Hopefully, we will have some interest and build onto that into autumn semester.
