Fall 2015: Wellness news for UAA staff; de-stressers begin this week

In late September, the UAA Staff Council and HPER collaborated on a survey of UAA staff to determine their interest in some onsite wellness opportunities, like 15-minute stress relievers in the middle of the workday in different buildings around campus, among other ideas.

Survey results

The survey results are back and indicate solid interest for some on-the-ground wellness activities here at UAA. We had 316 respondents and hundreds of comments; 229 entered their names to win two health gifts (winners listed below).

The double-win is that our own HPER students, who are in programs to become wellness, fitness and outdoor leadership experts, will lead the sessions. They need the hours and the UAA community needs their expertise.

How do I play?

This initial effort is a pilot program to test out the concept and refine it as we learn what works and what doesn't. HPER is working with campus building managers to identify appropriate spaces. Events will happen across campus in many different buildings. The goal is to make these quick sessions that can refresh you and get you back to your workday quickly. Our first week of opportunities begins Oct. 19.

Schedule

We expect the program to run through the end of the semester. We anticipate eight events during the week of Oct. 19-23. The four confirmed events are:

• 30-minute fitness Monday, Oct. 19, Noon-12:30 p.m. University Center, Room 144
• 30-minute fitness Tuesday, Oct. 20, Noon-12:30 University Lake Building, Conference Room
• 15-minute fitness Wednesday, Oct. 21, 10-10:15 a.m. Center for Human Development (off-campus site)
• 15-minute fitness Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2:30-2:45 p.m. Engineering & Industry Building
• 15-minute fitness Thursday, Oct. 22, 2:30-2:45 p.m. Professional Studies Building, Room 122C
• 15-minute fitness Friday, Oct. 23, 11:30-11:45 a.m. Administrative/Humanities Building, Room 204

Check Seawolf Daily and the UAA Master Calendar; we will add the other four events for next week as we confirm locations.

At the start of each week, through Seawolf Daily and the UAA Master Calendar, you'll know the where and when of all activities for that week. We will seek your evaluation throughout the process so we can adapt the program to best suit you, or discontinue it if it doesn't meet your needs.

Who gets to play?

This initial outreach is to UAA staff, but faculty or students who encounter a session are welcome to participate if the room can accommodate more participants. UAA Staff Council will share results with UAA faculty in the event there is interest for a larger spring pilot. This wellness pilot is open to the UAA community, regardless of whether your health insurance comes through the UA system.

Endorsed by the Chancellor

Ideally, you received Chancellor Tom Case's early October letter of support for wellness and this pilot program. Please review. (Note: the survey he refers to is now closed.)

Who won the drawing?

Two items were available for survey participants:

• Fitness Assessment, Amanda Soto, College of Arts and Sciences
• Fitbit Surge, Harriet Paule, College of Health.

Congratulations! Winners, please contact Jean Marcey (jmarcey@uaa.alaska.edu or 786-4068 to collect your wellness item.

Full UAA wellness survey results

Review the full results here. The written responses are filled with creative ideas.

UA-wide survey on Healthy Roads

The Joint Health Care Committee also has a wellness survey circulating, available through October 20. Please take a moment to share your thoughts on this brief survey. Find the link here.

October Archive