OU adopts Okanagan Charter, reaffirms commitment to health and wellbeing

At a recent event dedicated to "embracing health" and "igniting change" Oakland University President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz formally adopted the Okanagan Charter, reaffirming the university's commitment to promoting health and wellness across campus and in surrounding communities.

"We're so proud to lead by example and adopt the Okanagan Charter," said Pescovitz. "By doing so, we are reaffirming our commitment to care for one another, nurture a campus where all can flourish and build a future rooted in health."

The charter provides institutions with a common language, principles and framework to become a health and wellbeing promoting campus and outlines two calls to action: to embed health into all aspects of campus culture, across the administration, operations and academic mandates, and to lead health promotion action and collaboration locally and globally.

Oakland is one of the first 50 universities in the country to adopt the charter, joining a global movement that challenges post-secondary institutions to create healthier campuses and communities.

Adopting the charter is a key step in OU's ongoing efforts to promote health and wellbeing through proactive engagement with students, faculty, staff and community members.

"We know that a mentally and physically healthy community leads to a thriving campus. Adopting the Okanagan Charter means we're joining a global movement of health-promoting universities and reaffirming our commitment to embed health into every part of campus life," said Becky Lewis, director of University Recreation and Well-Being and chair of OU's Healthy Campus Network. "As part of the adoption, and as we move forward, we will foster an environment where everyone can live well in all areas of wellness - physical, mental, social, environmental and financial."

For more information on health and wellbeing efforts at OU, visit oakland.edu/healthycampus.