Student Health and Wellness

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Elaine Murphy
8 years ago
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2 BEACH Party Platform BEACH party is united by one philosophy, one belief, that this university, this institution is our home, your home. At home, we are meant to feel safe, accepted, and a part of a community. Because of this, BEACH party will take the lead to Better, Educate, Advocate, and push for Change in our Home. We will better this campus through sexual assault prevention efforts that change the way we talk about and deal with sexual violence. We will educate through mental health campaigns that aim to eliminate the stigma that mental illness and those who suffer from it are forced to carry. We will continue to establish a student government that advocates for the everyday student. We will fight for more sustainable practices, great student quality of life, and diverse student representation. BEACH party hears the students voices, fights for their interests, and strives to create a better home for us all.

We will better this campus through sexual assault prevention efforts that change the way we talk about and deal with sexual violence.

3 Student Safety Home is where you should feel the greatest sense of safety and well-being. Through Sexual assault prevention training, sexual assault awareness campaigns, and a collection of resources, the BEACH Party strives to help every student feel safe here at home. 1. Hawkeyes Got Your Back Program a. We will work with the Office of the Sexual Misconduct Response Coordinator to create a student oriented compilation of resources available at the University of Iowa that provides support, information, and details about medical and reporting options for survivors of sexual assault. b. We will work with WRAC to mandate and help sponsor bystander intervention training for the undergraduate leadership in all registered University of Iowa Student Organizations. c. Through multiple programs throughout the year, we will work with established resources and departments on campus to provide routine educationals, training programs, and tabling awareness events to help students be active bystanders. 2. It s on Us Campaign a. BEACH Party will continue to carry on and improve the It s on Us Campaign, promoting an environment where sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are continually supported. b. BEACH Party will raise awareness using t-shirts, PSA s, and guest speakers, so every student knows they can play an active part in eliminating sexual misconduct. c. BEACH Party will work with the Greek councils on campus to increase educational programs so students are not only educated, but trained on the tools to fight against sexual misconduct. 3. Target low-level acts of aggression that build and reinforce an environment where violence towards students is not tolerated a. Cat Calling Campaign: We will promote and raise awareness of the cat calling that occurs on campus by hosting tabling events to hand out promotional items against cat calling and to raise bystander awareness. We will also work with Iowa City Police and University Public Safety to develop a plan to enforce City and University policies around catcalling. 4. Advocate for an improved Nite Ride system in which EVERY student can feel safe through access to Nite Ride

4 Student Health and Wellness The physical, but more specifically, mental health of students has not been a strong priority for student governments in the past. However, it is an issue that should not go unaddressed. It is our duty to take action through informative materials, education programs, and monthly events to eliminate the negative stigmas associated with mental illness, encourage healthier lifestyles, and to create a better well-being here at home. 1. Take the Lead Campaign a. Keep students more informed by creating a directory of every health/wellness resource on campus b. Educating students each month about a new physical or mental condition to increase awareness and decrease negative stigmas i. Bring in expert guest speakers to hold informational meetings about the month s topic ii. Host an awareness event each month, keeping the specific condition at the forefront of students minds 1. For example, we will host walks, hand out flowers, or hold tabling events each month to be visible and raise awareness for the month s topic c. Advocating for a website with a pledge students make, promising to themselves that they will take the lead with their personal health d. Promoting sustained student wellness by rewarding students who complete the year-long pledge

It is our duty to take action through informative materials, education programs, and monthly events to eliminate the negative stigmas associated with mental illness, encourage healthier lifestyles,

5 Diversity We strive to create a relatable Student Government that represents ALL of the University of Iowa undergraduate students. Every Hawkeye deserves to have their voice heard. Through increased resources for international students, new diversity programs, and more open forums, we will work so that every voice is heard and respected. 1. Expand the orientation programs for international students a. Create a University of Iowa sponsored bus that transports new international students from the airport to the University of Iowa b. Work to hire current international students to serve as tour guides for the newly arrived international students c. Adopt an International Student Welcome night at the beginning of each semester that brings domestic and international students together 2. Work with different multi-cultural student organizations to co-sponsor and host events that celebrate cultural holidays 3. To promote cultural awareness, we will explore a semester long university wide buddy program in which domestic students are paired with an international student 4. Advocate on behalf of the Diversity Inclusion Education at Large Legislation (DIEL) to continue the advancement of General Education courses focusing more heavily on diversity and inclusion 5. Have regular multi-cultural leadership roundtable meetings to ensure student government is representing and effectively serving students from every background 6. In order to increase campus-wide cultural competency we will bring in a key-note speaker once a semester

Expand the orientation programs for international students a. Create a University of Iowa sponsored bus that transports new international students from the airport to the University of Iowa b.

6 Sustainability In order for the University of Iowa to continue being a top institution, we must aim to be as sustainable as possible. Through new, unique programs we intend to take the lead to help the University of Iowa advance into becoming an even greener campus. 1. Encourage the city to incorporate more recycling bins downtown a. Have University of Iowa art students paint these bins to celebrate more unique art in Iowa City and ultimately create more awareness for a sustainable culture 2. Advocate for the reduction of plastic bags at the Iowa Hawk Shop by donating to a sustainable organization for every bag a customer forgoes 3. Bring a Bike Share to campus a. Work with the University as well as the city to create bike racks in which students can easily and affordably check out bikes when needed 4. Ensure the campus is being efficient with their resources through: a. Work to eliminate plastic water bottles waste by ensuring each university building has hydration Stations b. Advocate to change the printing policy to make double sided printing more cost efficient than single sided printing

Encourage the city to incorporate more recycling bins downtown a.

7 Student Life The University of Iowa is home to thousands of entrepreneurial, innovative and talented students. In tandem with their personal and academic goals we will work to make their experience here even more enjoyable. 1. Implement Iowa Kickstarter, a program in which newly approved student organizations automatically receive a funding package rather than wait for the next funding period. 2. Create an Iowa City Renters Guide for off-campus living a. Collect survey data to help students find the best location, landlord, and price for their needs b. A Know your Rights section would be included to help new renters understand their rights 3. Start a bus system in which the University of Iowa could transport some students home at the beginning of breaks 4. What to Fix (WTF) a. Use Iowa Ideas, Twitter, booths, and mass correspondence to learn what students find problematic with the campus 5. Cut Your Cost Campaign: a. Helping students learn about cost efficient resources available to them at the University of Iowa b. Helping students be cognizant of their daily expenditures and how it can affect them in a positive or negative way 6. Increasing Individual Financial Literacy a. Work with the Office of Financial Aid to have every student that receives public financial aid meet with a financial advisor during the loan process 7. Advocate on a state level for another Tuition Freeze and no more than another minor increases in student fees 8. Work to increase student awareness about the Iowa Caucus and advocate for caucusing precincts on campus 9. Work closely with the Presidential search committee and the Board of Regents to advocate for student concerns regarding sustainability, sexual misconduct, diversity, and all issues that affect students in the search for a new President 10. Work with the University Billing Office as well as the Registrar s Office to eliminate the UBill registration hold to allow students to register for classes

Implement Iowa Kickstarter, a program in which newly approved student organizations automatically receive a funding package rather than wait for the next funding period. 2.

Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Policy Statement

Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Policy Statement Introduction The University of West Georgia is committed to providing a safe learning and working environment for all. In order to comply