Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Wellness Steering Committee

July 13, 2018 – This May, Saskatchewan Polytechnic announced the creation of a new Wellness Strategy. Wellness is vital to student success and healthy workplaces. That’s why Sask Polytech is shifting our current approach and resources to promote wellness across our campuses.

On June 25 and July 5, a group of representatives from students, faculty and staff met to start planning the creation of a Wellness Steering Committee. This group will continue to meet bi-weekly over the summer months and into the fall as the steering committee evolves.

The following definition of wellness is guiding the strategy moving forward:

• “Wellness is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices towards a healthy and fulfilling life. It is more than being free from illness, it is a dynamic process of change and growth. A good or satisfactory condition of existence; a state characterized by health, happiness, and prosperity; welfare.” Global Wellness Day

The Wellness Steering Committee will explore a broad spectrum of wellness dimensions, such as: physical, emotional, psychological, social, intellectual, spiritual, occupational, environmental and financial.

As part of the July 5 meeting, the group discussed any immediate recommendations that needed to be addressed before the start of the next academic year. A variety of topics were reviewed including the promotion of already planned events in the fall (Orange Shirt Day/Indigenous Fall Gathering), legalization of marijuana, Welcome Back Week and access to fitness centers and the gyms. Recommendations will be forwarded to senior management for approval.

We are also currently working on an ourCollaborate site to post committee minutes, information and a feedback channel.

This new wellness approach will evolve and require more conversations with students, faculty and staff.

Further opportunities to participate on Wellness working teams and provide input will be available this fall and onwards. If interested in participating, please contact Terence Carswell, associate vice-president of Human Resources at carswellt@saskpolytech.ca, or Tobi Strohan, associate vice-president of Student Services at strohant@saskpolytech.ca.

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