UMass Amherst to Hold Okanagan Charter Signing Ceremony, Making Commitment to Embed Health Into All Aspects of Campus Culture
*** MEDIA ADVISORY ***
DATE: Thursday, October 27
TIME: 10 a.m.
WHERE: UMass Amherst, Old Chapel
CONTACT: Ed Blaguszewski, edblag@umass.edu; 413-695-4522
AMHERST, Mass. – UMass Amherst, led by Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy, will conduct a formal signing ceremony as it joins the Okanagan Charter, an international network of colleges and universities dedicated to embedding health into all aspects of campus culture and to lead health promotion action and collaboration locally and globally.
UMass Amherst becomes the 14th school in the nation to formally adopt the Okanagan Charter, joining institutions such as the University of Michigan, Cornell University and the University of California Berkeley, who are dedicated to infusing health into everyday operations, business practices and academic programs. The approach is grounded in a holistic vision that integrates physical, mental, spiritual and social wellbeing.
UMass Amherst’s commitment focuses on four areas: health and wellness for students, faculty and staff; sustainability; diversity, equity and inclusion; and the built environment.
Featured speakers, in addition to Chancellor Subbaswamy, will include:
- Ann Becker, Director of Public Health
- Betsy Cracco, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Campus Life and Wellbeing
- Anna Maria Siega-Riz, Dean of the School of Public Health and Health Sciences
- Tilman Wolf, Associate Chancellor and Senior Vice Provost
- Alaina Macaulay, Senior Director for Inclusion and Strategic Engagement
- Richard Yeager, Director of Campus Planning
- Shayan Raza, President of the Student Government Association