Both campuses of Cameron University have again been designated as Certified Healthy Campuses ―the Lawton campus for the 11th consecutive year and CU-Duncan for the eighth. The designation is awarded by the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) in conjunction with the Oklahoma Academy, The State Chamber of Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma Turning Point Council.
Applicants select activities and policies that are currently offered by their campus in each of 10 criteria categories: (1) Alignment with the Missions of Higher Education; (2) Socioecological-Based Practice; (3) Collaborative Practice; (4) Cultural Competency; (5) Theory and Evidence-Based Practice: Tobacco; (6) Theory and Evidence-Based Practice: Nutrition and Physical Activity; (7) Theory and Evidence-Based Practice: Stress and Mental Health Issues; (8) Theory and Evidence-Based Practice: Alcohol, Drug, and Other Addiction Issues; (9) Theory and Evidence-Based Practice: Prevention and Safety; (10) Continuing Professional Development and Service. There are 82 total criteria, and a total of nine criteria with a possible N/A response, dependent upon campus situation.
Cameron University activities and policies that factor into the Certified Healthy Campus designation are numerous. They include status as a tobacco- and vaping-free campus, workplace health and nutrition education, opportunities for physical exercise activities such as intramural sports and the Aggie Rec Center, and availability of medical and mental health services to students. Additional programs include management support for healthy workplace environments and sharing wellness activities, such as the Cameron University Community Garden and the Aggie Mile walking trail, with the community.
The inclusion of health and well-being concepts as part of the core curriculum, established relationships with internal and external partners to improve existing health and well-being programs, numerous volunteer opportunities for members of the campus community, multicultural activities, services for veterans, and accessible indoor and outdoor spaces for those with disabilities, are just a few of the other criteria that Cameron meets.
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PR#22-090