Health Promoting University
鶹Ƶ as a Health Promoting University
鶹Ƶ adopted the Okanagan Charter on October 29, 2025, making it the first institution in North Carolina to join an international movement that supports a transformative vision for health-promoting universities and colleges.
Health promoting universities and colleges transform the health and sustainability of our current and future societies, strengthen communities and contribute to the well-being of people, places and the planet.
Calls To Action
The Okanagan Charter details two Calls to Action:
- Embed health into all aspects of campus culture, across administration, operations and academic mandates.
- Lead health promotion action and collaboration locally and globally.
Key Principles of Action
The following are the key principles for action for Health Promoting Universities:
- Use settings and whole system approaches
- Ensure comprehensive and campus-wide approaches
- Use participatory approaches and engage the voice of students and others
- Develop trans-disciplinary collaborations and cross-sector partnerships
- Promote research, innovation and evidence-informed action
- Build on the strengths of current university initiatives
- Value local and indigenous communities’ contexts and priorities
- Act on an existing universal responsibility
鶹Ƶ Institutional Commitments
鶹Ƶ is committed to advancing the principles of the Okanagan Charter through the Boldly 鶹Ƶ Strategic Plan. Boldly 鶹Ƶ’s “Thrive” theme focuses on building a healthier and more diverse, equitable and inclusive community, where all students, faculty and staff experience belonging and well-being.
鶹Ƶ is committed to building a culture of health and well-being on a vibrant residential campus. In support of its mission to transform mind, body and spirit, 鶹Ƶ will further invest in a vibrant and integrative residential campus. Well-being initiatives will serve as a national model for programs, research and dialogues that promote resilience, belonging and all aspects of lifelong personal well-being – community, emotional, financial, physical, purpose and social.
The HealthEU Council leads 鶹Ƶ’s work in the key action areas outlined in the Okanagan Charter and collaborates with the university community. The specific strategies for implementation are outlined in the HealthEU Priorities.