University of North Dakota President Robert Kelley has assembled the Healthy UND 2020 steering committee comprising 25 students, faculty, and staff to address the leading health and wellness issues affecting student academic success and retention at UND.  The steering committee functions in an advisory role to the existing Healthy UND Coalition. 
 
The Healthy UND 2020 steering committee meets Monday, November 16, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, in the Memorial Union Badlands room to listen to presentations on student health and wellness. 
 
The presentations outline what UND students are saying about health and wellness.  Pat Campbell, a physician assistant and dietitian and UND Student Health Care Analyst, will give a presentation on the National College Health Assessment.  Sandi Luck, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist at UND, will deliver a presentation about the Core Alcohol and Other Drug Survey.  Amanda Bentow, director of the Wellness Center Wellness Operations, will discuss results from an overall Wellness Survey.
 
“These presentations, comprising data gathered from students at UND, will help the Healthy UND 2020 steering committee to prioritize and develop and action plan to address the leading health and wellness issues that affect student academic success and retention for the next 10 years,” said Mike Little, Healthy UND 2020 Coordinator.
 
Since the Healthy UND Coalition’s beginning in 2000, great achievements have been made to advance an environment of health and wellness within the UND campus community.  Examples of accomplishments that have branched from the Coalition’s work include the Wellness Center; healthier food choices on campus; the WorkWell employee wellness program; and the adoption of a policy creating a tobacco-free campus policy.
 
“In creating a campuswide approach to health and wellness issues, we can increase the likelihood that students achieve academic and personal success by pursuing a high quality of life and sense of well-being,” Kelley said. 
 
Kelley’s initiative to develop a comprehensive approach to addressing health and wellness issues furthers a tradition started by former UND President Charles Kupchella.
 
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Contact
Michael J. Little, coordinator
Healthy UND 2020
(701)777-2097
michaellittle@mail.und.nodak.edu