YoW: 2019-20 is the RCOE Year of Wellness

RCOE has designated 2018-19 as the Year of Wellness (YoW).

Faculty and staff are encouraged to engage in wellness activities per the RCOE Strategic Plan 2017-2022, Strategic Direction Five: Preserving Faculty and Staff Excellence, Goal Four: Promote Sustainability Through Self-Care, Physical Health, and Work-Life Balance.

What is Wellness

Wellness is taking care of ourselves emotionally, physically and mentally.

“To do well for our students, we have to take care of ourselves,” said N. Jordan, Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Program Services.

“To do well for our students, we have to take care of ourselves.” 

To boost wellness it all its forms, there will be RCOE-sponsored events such as yoga and a book club; however, participants are encouraged to take advantage of the many resources and opportunities on campus.

Examples include:

Arts at Appalachian*: All across our campus, Appalachian presents diverse and vibrant arts programs that enrich the cultural and intellectual climate of the campus and region.

ComPsych GuidanceResources Online: Appalachian State University Employee Assistance Program (Register before using). GuidanceResources Online is an award-winning, comprehensive, interactive service that provides expert content and unique tools to assist you in every aspect of your life, all in a secure, easy-to-use, personalized environment.

Health and Wellness Counseling: Confidential counseling services are available through Counseling for Faculty and Staff to help with personal problems, especially when they interfere with work performance. Assistance is available at no cost to staff, faculty, and their immediate family members.

Health Promotion:  The Health Promotion program provides Appalachian State University staff, faculty, and their spouses/domestic partners with information, programs, and services that help to promote a healthier lifestyle and a better quality of life. Major components of the program include health and fitness, preventive care, and outreach programs, including:

  • Health screenings*
  • Flu and Pneumonia vaccines
  • Smoking cessation opportunities
  • Workstation analysis
  • Fitness assessments
  • Personal training

Library Privileges: The Belk Library & Information Commons campus-wide library system has one of the premier collections in the South. You may check out books by using your AppCard.

Office of Human Resources Educational Assistance: The University provides a Tuition Waiver and an Academic Assistance program for eligible University employees. 

Office of Human Resources Professional Development workshops: Professional development is an ongoing process that shapes the future of our university and provides individual employees with the knowledge, skills, and empowerment to further their career. 

University Recreation*: University Recreation (UREC) offers a variety of opportunities for recreation, such as:

  • Fitness and Informal Recreation includes The Quinn Center, The Life Fitness Center, at Mount Mitchell gyms, and the Student Recreation Center
  • Club Sports is designed to offer students, faculty, and staff a competitive outlet on a non-varsity level
  • Outdoor Programs includes kayaking, caving, hiking, rock climbing, canoeing and more

*Fee is or may be associated with this service.

YoW will culminate in a spring Wellness Extravaganza with food and fun!  

How Do I Participate

All are encouraged to participate as individuals or as part of a team.

Teams and/or individuals are asked to record their participation in wellness activities by completing the YoW Survey. The only rule - be creative and do not limit yourself!

Join a Team

RCOE has identified six YoW team. Contact a team captain(s) to get involved:

  1. Heather Brandon & Rebekah Saylors
  2. Cathy Clark
  3. Jeff Goodman
  4. N. Jordan
  5. John Spagnolo
  6. Devery Ward

Team captains will share information regarding YoW activities on a regular basis. Contact a captain to join a team or to learn more.

Participate as an Individual

Individuals are also welcome to participate. Record your wellness activities on the YoW Survey and have fun!

YoW Wellness Activity Round-up

Check back often for new RCOE-sponsored YoW activities.

YoW Book Club

facilitated by Lisa Abbott (Belk Library) and Emory Maiden (Center for Academic Excellence)

The book group will read and discuss, Buddha's Brain: The practical neuroscience of happiness, love and wisdom by Richard Hanson. Book club members will receive a copy of the book.

Learn more about how your brain functions, how you can become more mindful to rewire your brain and bring more opportunities for happiness in your life. Buddhist concepts are used to illustrate contemplative practices - this is not a Buddhism class.

Dates/Times:

  • September 18, 2018 / 9:00 am - 10:00 am
  • October 16, 2018 / 9:00 am - 10:00 am
  • November 6, 2018 / 9:00 am - 10:00 am
  • November 27, 2018 / 9:00 am - 10:00 am (tentative)

Location: RCOE 436G

REGISTER now! Space is limited to 10 participants.

Questions? Please contact Emory Maiden for more information.

Trek Thursday

Join us and view the first season of Star Trek Discovery.

Fall 2019 Dates:

  • September 5, 12, 19, and 26
  • October 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31
  • November 7, 14, 21, and 28
  • December 5 and 12

Time: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Location: James Center for Student Success and Advising lounge

Questions? Please contact Rebekah Saylors for more information.

Community Events

2nd Annual Veteran Suicide Awareness Walk

Hosted by Appalachian Mountain Brewery and Cidery and Student Veterans Association of Appalachian State University

The suicide rate for veterans has gone up 35 percent since 2001. There is an average of 20.6 suicides every day. Of those, 16.8 were veterans and 3.8 were active-duty service members, guardsmen and reservists. That amounts to 6,132 veterans and 1,387 service members who died by suicide in one year. 

To help raise awareness on this issue the Student Veterans Association of Appalachian State University is hosting its 2nd annual Veteran Suicide Awareness Walk:

Date: Saturday, October 6, 2018
Time: The hike starts at 12:00 pm.  Please arrive between 11:00-11:30 am to allow for parking and preparation for the hike.
Location: Meet in the Boone Mall parking lot
Cost: This is a FREE event!!!
Open to: This is open to everyone, no matter military status! 
Distance: The 3.7-mile walk will end at Appalachian Mountain Brewery where there will be an event for everyone who participated. 

If you know a veteran who has taken their life please email Crystal at crystal@amb.beer. Include their full name and rank. She is having tags made for everyone so people can honor them during the hike.

View the Facebook event.

RCOE Year of Wellness
Published: Aug 29, 2018 3:22pm

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