Be Well Bucs
An exciting new wellness program will launch Oct. 2 for ETSU faculty, staff and students. The Office of Human Resources and Campus Recreation have collaborated to provide the Be Well Bucs initiative, which promotes and offers specialized health and wellness programming to all members of the campus community.
“Be Well Bucs is about creating an environment at ETSU to take small steps that lead to big change,” said Lori Erickson, executive director of Human Resources. “By better putting to use the myriad resources available at ETSU, we can incrementally improve individual health as well as the overall health of our campus.”
The Be Well Bucs program will provide an integrated approach to wellness on the campus of ETSU with a focus on physical activity, nutrition and the eight components of wellness – physical, environmental, social, financial, occupational, psychological, spiritual and intellectual. Primary goals of the Be Well Bucs wellness program include getting individuals to be more active, eat healthier and stay away from detrimental habits like smoking.
“I cannot thank enough Human Resources Specialist Tammy Decker, Office of Administration’s Director of Special Projects Tisha Harrison and the staff of our Division of Student Affairs for their assistance in launching the program,” Erickson added.
In launching the wellness program, ETSU has partnered with the Healthier Tennessee initiative through the Governor’s Foundation for Health and Wellness, representing the first university in East Tennessee to sign on as an official Healthier Tennessee Campus. Several cities and counties within the region are designated Healthier Communities through the same organization.
“Be Well Bucs believes wellness is a multidimensional concept. It is not just working out at the Center for Physical Activity (CPA), although physical activity is a key component,” said Kari Albarado, Campus Recreation director. “Wellness is an active process of change and growth.
“This program will engage students, faculty and staff by connecting our campus community to the resources already available at ETSU while introducing new health promotion programming as well.”
The launch of the Be Well Bucs program coincides with the grand opening of ETSU’s new Benefits and Wellness Center of Human Resources located on the second floor of the east side of the Ballad Health Athletic Center (Mini Dome). The newly renovated space offers a better space for employees to address questions related to benefits and retirement as well as new employee orientations.
A special open house at the Benefits and Wellness Center will take place on Oct. 2 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony set for 9 a.m. Several representatives from the university’s various health and wellness programs will be on hand to talk with faculty, staff and students about benefits available at little to no cost to members of the campus community. Refreshments will be provided.
Employees can also take advantage of this time to learn more about the 2019 health benefits through 10-minute open enrollment presentations taking place at the top of each hour. Computers will also be available so Human Resources can provide assistance to employees.
For more information, call 423-439-5122. For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at 423-439-8346.