President's Council for Well-being

The President's Council for Well-being (PCW) was formed to support the mission of the university by taking a holistic approach to increasing and sustaining all aspects of well-being. The PCW brings together a multi-disciplinary group of NDSU faculty, staff, students and community partners to address a range of social and environmental factors that strengthen the health and well-being of our NDSU community.

About Well-being

The concept of well-being is not new, but the body of research that links well-being to academic success, lifelong health, happiness and personal success continues to grow. NDSU is a member of the United States Health Promoting Campuses Network (USHPCN) that is guided by an International Charter for Health Promoting Universities and Colleges (2015) that was created through collaboration of researchers, practitioners, administrators, students and policy makers from 45 countries. It provides institutions with a common language, principles and framework to become a “health promoting campus”. The Charter serves as a guide for the President’s Council for Well-Being.

Calls to Action

  1. To embed health into all aspects of campus culture, across the administration, operations and academic mandates;
  2. To lead health promotion action and collaboration locally and globally.

The well-being relationship between individuals, the institution and community are interdependent. All components of well-being are interrelated – none of them can be addressed in isolation.

The work of the PCW is also informed by a number of other NDSU specific sources: NDSU campus survey results, input and collaboration from campus departments, services, organizations, governing bodies, collaboration and coordination with other Presidential Councils, and the NDSU Strategic Plan.

Well-being

The following are NDSU’s identified well-being areas of focus and contributing factors (necessary skills, resources, and conditions) needed to work toward long-term transformational change. These identified areas will be addressed through impact of the PCW and by Work Groups that are developed to research, design, evaluate, and recommend actions that will achieve the desired outcomes.

ADVANCING WELL-BEING DATA AND KNOWLEDGE

Contribute to health promoting knowledge production, application, standard setting and evaluation that informs action and supports the development of NDSU well-being.

Contributing factors:

  • Consistent and thorough collection of student, faculty and staff data related to health, well-being, and the NDSU environment.
  • Students, faculty and staff engage in collaborative research, analysis, and application of health, well-being, and the interactions of its members.
  • Opportunities for well-being data showcasing and sharing to increase body of knowledge.
  • Implementation of NDSU data clearinghouse to increase awareness and accessibility of well-being related data.

GENERATING A THRIVING COMMUNITY

Be proactive and intentional in creating empowered, connected and resilient communities that foster an ethic of care, compassion, collaboration and community action.

Contributing factors:

  • Students, faculty and staff model and facilitate civility, respect, tolerance, problem-solving ability and positive interpersonal skills.
  • Students, faculty and staff acknowledge the unique differences that impact both individuals and communities and take actions toward creating communities where all members are valued and empowered to be their authentic selves.
  • Students, faculty and staff foster a sense of belonging and mattering for self and others by demonstrating respect for all.
  • Students, faculty and staff promote the quality of life for all people and meaningfully contribute to communities that meet the needs of all members.
  • Opportunities for and encouragement of social connection and interpersonal relationships.
  • Enhance NDSU collaboration to break down barriers.

EMBEDDING WELL-BEING IN ALL POLICIES AND PROCESSES

Review, create and coordinate campus policies and practices with attention to health, well-being and sustainability, so that all planning and decision-making takes account of and supports our NDSU community.

Contributing factors:

  • Health in all Policies approach to all current and proposed NDSU policies regarding well-being components such as social, physical health, mental health, use of inclusive language, stakeholder and community input, economic impact, environmental impact, evaluation, and sustainability.
  • NDSU departmental, services, organizations, etc. policies and procedures to follow Health in all Policies practices.

CREATING SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS

Enhance the environment by identifying opportunities to support health and well-being through sustainability in the built, natural, social, economic, cultural, academic, organizational and learning environments.

Contributing factors:

  • NDSU infrastructure (including physical plant and future planning) incorporates light, green space, bike-friendly and walkable space, noise reduction/quiet space, family restrooms, lactation space, etc.
  • Environmentally sustainable practices are part of NDSU operations: Recycling, composting, wind/solar energy, gardens, etc.
  • Recognition that NDSU is embedded in a larger society and is dependent on the well-being of the ecosystems of the surrounding community, the state of North Dakota, and beyond.

SUPPORTING WELL-BEING PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Develop and create educational and engaging opportunities to build resilience, competence, personal capacity and life enhancing skills.

Contributing factors:

  • Students, faculty and staff develop their sense of purpose through interactions with others, reflection, self-discovery, and examining core values.
  • Students, faculty and staff practice well-being in recognition of the importance of personal life satisfaction, having one’s needs met, and one’s contribution to the community.
  • Students, faculty and staff have a range of opportunities for healthy, substance free, social interactions that expose them to new ideas and interests, the uniqueness of people, and an increased understanding of self and others.
  • Links between academic and co-curriculum that supports students.

CONTRIBUTING TO OVERALL SAFETY

Address all components of safety to create a community where all members feel safe physically, emotionally and environmentally.

Contributing factors:

  • Students, faculty and staff are informed, have the education and resources to help them understand safety issues, safety practices, skills, interventions, and have the awareness and ability to access these resources.
  • Safety information, education, and training are available and accessible for all.
  • Behaviors of disrespect and discrimination are rejected and appropriate mitigation and preventative actions are taken.
  • Physical infrastructure is continuously evaluated to increase safety and access for all.
  • Safe behaviors and values extend beyond the physical campus into the surrounding community.

MEETING BASIC PHYSICAL HEALTH NEEDS

Provide the resources and opportunities to support participation in healthy lifestyle choices while meeting basic human needs.

Contributing factors:

  • Students, faculty and staff have the education and resources to effectively manage their physical health, the services to address physical health needs, and the awareness and ability to access these resources.
  • Collaboration and partnerships across the NDSU community enhances awareness and action to support physical health for all persons and abilities.
  • Evidence-based programs, services, education, policies, and infrastructures are resourced and optimized to meet priority physical health needs.
  • Physical health information, education and training are available and accessible for all.
  • All basic physical health needs are met (food, clothing, heat, medical care, etc.)

PROVIDING SERVICE AND SUPPORT FOR MENTAL HEALTH

Reduce stigma, enhance personal skills and habits, and provide the support and timely access to mental health services and resources to create a supportive environment.

Contributing factors:

  • Students, faculty and staff have the education and resources to help them understand mental health issues, the services to address mental health needs, and the awareness and ability to access these resources.
  • Collaboration and partnerships across the NDSU community enhances awareness and action to support mental health for all.
  • Evidence-based programs, services, education, policies, and infrastructures are resourced and optimized to meet priority mental health needs.
  • Mental health information, education and training are available and accessible for all.
  • Enhanced referral and support capacity for mental health services.
  • Reduced stigma of mental health at NDSU and in the surrounding community at large.

President’s Council for Well-being

Page Manager