OUR MISSION
UMass Amherst regards wellbeing as fundamental to our success as individuals, as a university, and as a community. We aspire to making wellbeing a priority that guides our daily interactions, decisions, policy, planning, and program development.
Informed by the Okanagan Charter, we commit to making the university a better place to live, work, and learn by embedding wellbeing practices across our university culture.
About the Charter
UMass is proud to be an early adopter of this significant movement. Learn more about the Okanagan Charter and its pioneers.
WHO WE ARE
The Okanagan Wellbeing Collective is made up of faculty, staff, and students representing various departments and disciplines, strategically organized into four pillars:
- Health and Wellness
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Sustainability
- Built Environment
While each pillar is charged with their own area of focus, all pillar members work together to ensure that no stone is left unturned as we work to embed wellbeing into the culture at UMass.
View a list of current team members below.
Why Us? Why Now?
Collective Impact Framework
Collective impact is a network of community members, organizations, and institutions who advance equity by learning together, aligning, and integrating their actions to achieve population and systems level change.
collectiveimpactforum.org
The Work
In 2022, UMass Amherst became the 14th university in the nation to formally adopt the Okanagan Charter, joining leading institutions such as the University of Michigan, Cornell University, and UC Berkeley in a global movement to embed health into every aspect of campus life. Grounded in a holistic vision that integrates physical, mental, spiritual, and social wellbeing, the university has since made steady progress in engaging the entire campus community in this mission—infusing wellbeing into daily operations, academic programs, and the student experience. We have made meaningful strides in a short time, and there is still much work ahead.
UMass Signed the Charter
Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy conducted a formal signing ceremony as UMass Amherst joined the Okanagan Charter, an international network of colleges and universities dedicated to embedding health into all aspects of campus culture and leading health promotion action and collaboration locally and globally.
The Backbone Committee was Formed
Key members from across the campus community formed a backbone committee dedicated to driving the work forward.
Logo, Brand Identity, and Website Launched
A distinct brand and logo were developed to establish a clear identity and unify the initiative’s presence across campus.
Pillar Groups Formed
The four Pillars of the Collective are Health & Wellness, Sustainability, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and the Built & Natural Environment. Pillar working groups were formed across campus sectors to begin implementing changes that advance the mission.
First All-Committee Retreat Held at Smith College
The initiative held its first all-day retreat and visioning session, followed by two quarterly convenings to build momentum. Pillar groups moved toward greater cohesion, supported by visible branding and outreach efforts. The work gained further traction when the Okanagan Charter was presented as part of the University’s strategic planning process.
Campus Assessment & Strategic Alignment
The next phase focused on assessing and mapping the campus through tools such as the NCHA and contributions from the Dean’s office. The Okanagan Charter was formally named in the University’s 10-year Strategic Plan, reinforcing its long-term importance. Quarterly convenings continued, alongside the intentional “labelling” of events as part of Okanagan efforts, including new initiatives such as Chapel Unplugged.
Data-Informed Engagement
Data collected through campus assessments was fed back to the community, helping to shape localized action plans. Signature events such as the Week of Wellbeing and the Employee Health Fair further advanced visibility and engagement. At the same time, work continued on integrating Okanagan principles into the University’s broader strategic planning process.