Campus Wellness Program

Prepared for "COLLEGE X" by Joy Koenig, M.D., M.S.
© Joy Koenig 2002 - 2008

C.    Create Annual Class-Specific Wellness Projects

  1. Specific Elements

    1. Mock Campus Outbreak (Sophmore Class)
    2. Triathlon / Communications Relay (Junior Class)
    3. Community Service Project (Senior Class)


  2. Background

    (omitted)

  3. Specific Element Details

    1. Mock Campus Outbreak (Sophomore Class)
      This "thought and action" project could be designed during Fall semester by sophomore, juniors or seniors taking an honor's public health course, and be implemented by (and theoretically affect) the sophomore class during Spring semester.

      Possible topics include real or factitious diseases, such as vector-borne disease (Lyme disease or West Nile encephalitis), airborne disease (tuberculosis, chicken pox), food-borne illness (salmonella, e. coli), environment exposure (carbon monoxide, lead in drinking water), person-to-person (ringworm), or sexually transmitted disease (factitious in order to avoid ruining moral reputations if reality and myth are confused).

      This would be a science project, but also a technology project (designing computer surveys, analyzing results, creating a web site to post investigation reports, conducting online literature reviews), and journalism project (students covering the story as if it is "real" outbreak, teaching responsible reporting). The information and data generated by the mock outbreak could also be used in English or science classes, giving students the opportunity to write an investigative or scientific report.

    2. Triathlon or Communication Relay Fund Raiser (Junior Class)
      This activity would be planned during Fall semester, implemented during Spring semester. It promotes CAMPUS X's tradition of a "Healthy LifestyleLifestyle " community, raises money for Senior Community Project, and helps students build project management and team building skills.

      • The Triathlon option can be conducted entirely on campus, using the swimming pool, campus streets or pathways, and the outdoor track. Junior students would enter individually (the student swims, bicycles, then walks/runs), or as a relay of three students (one student swims, another bicycles, a third walks/runs). This format allows for mandatory/full participation by students of all abilities, including those with physical challenges. Pledges could be based on total mileage covered and the ranking of finish times.

      • A Communication Relay expands participation options. The goal is to accurately deliver a message from Point A to Point B through a series of athletic and academic steps. COLLEGE X's administration determines the secret messages for each team.

        For instance, the original messages are distributed to each team at the library. The message is written in French, and has to be translated into English, then delivered to the horse stables on foot (walk or run). The message then has to be taken on horseback to the Gatehouse. The message can change as it is passed along. For instance, the initial message may be a question and the final message is the answer to the question. It can include doing mathematical calculations, and the answer is translated to the next member of the relay by swimming or running the appropriate number of laps. The number can represent the page number or line number in a book at the library, where the relay ends. Each participant is required to participate in a physical fitness element of the relay (i.e. decipher the message then run, walk, or ride to the next point, or get to the next point and use American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate the message to the next relay member). Pledges could be based on ranking of finish time, with bonus points for the correct answer/message at the end of the relay.

    3. Service Project (Senior Class)
      Using the funds raised during their Junior year, students would create and deliver a project that benefits the campus or CITY / TOWN community. Ideas include:

      1. Design a healthier cafeteria menu, using guidance from area nutritionists and the experience of other college campuses.

      2. Design and build a meditation oasis on campus.

      3. Help the hungry and homeless: organize and conduct a food drive, participate in a soup kitchen, assemble care packages for homeless shelters.

      4. Organize and conduct a wellness fair for the community.

      5. Publish and distribute a book for the community. Sale of the book could benefit COLLEGE X's Community Service Fund.


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campus health and wellness program