Level 3 (Student Services, VP Office)
The committee that was formed to explore this model included a cross-section of faculty, staff, and students. Their findings led them to make a compelling argument for adopting this approach. This approach will allow us to provide seamless comprehensive health and wellness programming to our students, faculty and staff while increasing awareness and accessibly. This comprehensive approach to mental and physical health will promote a healthier campus, promote awareness, provide support and may result in a reduction in classroom related distractions.Level 4 (PBIE Committee)
The establishment of a Wellness Center will enhance the physical and emotional well-being of our college and the community at large through health promotion and education. A unified Wellness Center on both campuses will offer timely assistance for the entire college community and offer a holistic approach to overall wellness to help in overall student success. The services provided will include physical and mental health services, including problem prevention, intervention, assessment, support, outreach and education. The concept of “Wellness Without Walls” would entail the creation and promotion of a SUNY Orange Wellness Center home page accessible via a link on the SUNY Orange home page as well as via a downloadable app. Additional outreach would be accomplished via promotions on monitors positioned on both campuses. Information regarding specific topics and programs could be disseminated via podcasts. Health education and wellness services will be publicized and coordinated more efficiently.
Both faculty and students have verbalized confusion regarding health, mental health and counseling services and have expressed concerns about safety if there were disruptive or disturbing behavior in the classroom. This initiative would make health and mental health services accessible by providing availability to licensed mental health professionals. There would be a private space where mental health counselors could meet with students/employees as well as a conference room for group meetings and programming.
This initiative will also be supporting Athletics’ initiative (previously approved) to improve the fitness center, which will enhance and complement Wellness.
In line with the Strategic Plan, the Wellness Center will help fulfill the promise to be more efficient in shepherding health resources within the college to promote physical and mental well-being.