By: Alexis Travis, PhD, Assistant Provost/Executive Director, University Health and Wellbeing
Imagine a campus where wellbeing isn’t just a priority—it’s woven into the very fabric of daily life. Where mental health, belonging, and sustainability aren’t just buzzwords but guiding principles shaping every decision. This vision is exactly what the Okanagan Charter brings to life, redefining what it means to create a thriving, health promoting environment. But what does adopting this global movement really mean for students, faculty, staff, and the broader community? It’s more than a signature on a document—it’s a commitment to transformative action.
On February 19, 2025, Michigan State University (MSU) adopted the Okanagan Charter. We also launched the University Health and Wellbeing Plan, which serves as the foundation for how we’ll bring this to life, and the priorities and objectives outlined in the plan are our north star for developing strategies and actions throughout the next five years.
We’re taking a bold step toward making our campus a place where health and wellbeing aren’t just priorities — they’re part of everyday life. This new, university-wide plan is about more than just programs and policies; it’s about creating an environment where students, faculty, and staff feel supported in their physical, mental, and social wellbeing. From prevention efforts to accessible services and meaningful community connections, we’re building a campus culture that helps everyone thrive. And by 2030, we aim to be recognized as a leading health promoting university—not just for the title, but because we believe wellbeing should be at the heart of everything we do.
Becoming a truly health promoting university isn’t something that happens in isolation — it takes all of us. Wellbeing isn’t the responsibility of just one department or initiative; it’s something we build together, as a community. That’s why we’ve created the Spartan Wellbeing Collective — a diverse group of students and employees working together to bring our wellbeing plan to life. Rooted in the principles of the Okanagan Charter, the Collective is here to turn ideas into action, ensuring that wellbeing is woven into every part of campus life. This collective effort is crucial for supporting both student success and faculty and staff success.
We are already seeing the power of collective action in building a healthier, more connected campus. Conversations are happening in new spaces, collaborations are taking shape, and the energy behind this movement is growing. From small shifts, like more open discussions about mental health, to larger initiatives gaining momentum, like grants for students to create their own substance-free events and classroom resilience education - like it’s clear that this isn’t just a plan on paper; it’s something real, something lived. There’s still plenty of work ahead, but the early response has been inspiring, reminding us that creating a truly health promoting university starts with each of us, one step at a time.
Stay tuned as we continue making progress and shaping a campus where wellbeing thrives!
