Wellness Promotion Programs

Wellness Promotion provides education on the following topics in a variety of modalities:

Alcohol, Cannabis, Tobacco, and Other Drug Education (prescription misuse, stimulants, hallucinogens, depressants)
Gratitude
Health Promotion

Mental Health
Physical Health (nutrition, movement)
Sexual health
Sleep

Well-being

Please click here for a full program menu of services available from Wellness Promotion.

*Note that we do not offer large quantities of contraception for distribution outside of our programming efforts.

Workshops

Wellness Promotion is available to facilitate the educational workshops listed below for a class, residence hall, organization, or group. The workshops include education and interactive activities to engage students around a variety of topics. In many cases, a team of Peer Educators and/or professional staff member will assist with the facilitation of the programs. Wellness Promotion requests a minimum of 7 business days notice when requesting the facilitation of a workshop. To submit a presenter request, please email wellness@wcupa.edu with information including the workshop being requested, proposed date and time of workshop, and intended audience.

Not part of an organization or group but would like to participate? Check out our program offerings on Wellness Promotion RamConnect page.

All workshops are approved in the WCU Ram Plan Co-Curricular Transcript.

  • Decisions About Drinking*: The Decisions About Drinking workshop provides students with the opportunity to learn about the effects of alcohol on their brain and body, the impact of being around those who consume it, as well as the impact it may be having on their life if choosing to drink, in an interactive small group environment with their peers. This program provides an opportunity for students to have an open and honest conversation about various topics such as standard drink size and WCU policies, resources and supports regarding alcohol.

Upcoming Decisions About Drinking Workshop Dates:

***Note that all Zoom-facilitated workshops are limited to 35 students and in-person workshops are limited to 15 students. Workshops will be closed once full.

Monday, September 9th at 10 am - in person, location in RamConnect

Friday, September 27th at 3 pm - via Zoom

Monday, October 7th at 2 pm - in person, location in RamConnect

Friday, October 18th at 3 pm, via Zoom

Wednesday, November 6th at 12 pm - in person, location in RamConnect

Friday, November 15th at 3 pm - via Zoom

To register and for additional information, visit Ram Connect: ramconnect.wcupa.edu and search Wellness Promotion Events.

  • Discovering Well-Being*: Discovering Well-Being is a program designed to engaged students in conversations around the concept of well-being and the influence on student’s lives at WCU and beyond. During this workshop, students will have the opportunity to participate in interactive activities to explore how focus, the ability to empathize and express compassion, the impact of inspiration on personal drive, and how thoughts and beliefs influence our expectations connect back to well-being. During this introduction to well-being, students will learn strategies and resources available on campus to assist them in further exploring and practicing well-being.

Discovering Well-Being is presented by request only.

Click here to view the self-paced Discovering Well-Being online module on the RamPlan D2L website.

Wellness Promotion has five self-paced modules available on the Ram Plan D2L site. These modules include education and interactive activities to engage students around a variety of topics. All five modules are approved in the WCU Ram Plan Co-Curricular Transcript.

Below is a description of each module and the learning outcomes for participants:

 

D2L Module Title Direct Link Learning Outcomes Program Description
Any Ram Can: Understanding Bystander Intervention Click here to access module.
  1. Match each of the 5 D's of bystander intervention with an action
  2. Identify the steps to take to align with West Chester’s Medical Amnesty Policy
  3. Recall the parts of the Step Up! model
Any Ram Can is a module designed explore what it means to be an active bystander, with emphasis on alcohol use. Students will learn various bystander intervention strategies, identify the qualities of being an active and engaged bystander, and learn about the university’s medical amnesty program.
Shift Happens: Challenging Perceptions About Substance Use Click here to access module.
  1. Identify the definition of a social norm
  2. Recognize three strategies for dispelling a misperception
  3. Select an example of a misconception in a scenario
Shift Happens is a module designed to challenge student norms and perceptions about alcohol and drug use by college students. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on their own perceptions about alcohol and drug use, review current substance use data for the collegiate setting, and gain skills to confront and dispel misperceptions around alcohol and drug use.
Voice Your Values Click here to access module.
  1. Define what a value is
  2. Choose 3 personal values for yourself from a list of values
  3. Identify how values lead into personal decision-making
This module leads students through a variety of reflective activities and dialogues to identify what is a value, how values influence decision-making, and assist students in identifying their personal values. This module explores one of the measurable pillars of well-being: purpose.
Choices About Cannabis Click here to access module.
  1. List one short-term and one long-term effect of cannabis use
  2. Describe two lower risk strategies for cannabis use
  3. Summarize the five elements of the WCU Medical Amnesty Policy
The Choices About Cannabis module provides students with the opportunity to learn about the effects of cannabis on their brain and body, the impact of being around those who consume it, as well as the impact it may be having on their life if choosing to use cannabis. The information in this module can help students make informed decisions if they choose to consume cannabis or help others who might make the decision to consume.
Discovering Well-Being Click here to access module.
  1. Define what well-being means to you
  2. Identify 3 out of 4 areas of well-being that are measurable and trainable
  3. Identify 5 of your strengths through the VIA Character Assessment
  4. Identify one tool you can utilize to increase your well-being
This module is designed for students to learn about the concept of well-being and the influence on student’s lives at WCU and beyond. Students will explore how focus, the ability to empathize and express compassion, the impact of inspiration on personal drive, and how thoughts and beliefs influence our expectations connect back to well-being. During this introduction to well-being, students will learn strategies and resources available on campus to assist them in further exploring and practicing well-being.

 

The Peer Education team hosts Be Well Huts on campus once a week. The Be Well Hut is a pop-up tent like structure and the huts typically take place outside of the SECC building. These Be Well Huts are for students by students and serve as brief touch points with students. The Be Well huts include educational and interactive activities and incentives to engage students around a variety of topics such as sleep, alcohol and other drugs, sexual health, gratitude and affirmations. The Be Well Hut also can support campus collaborations with other departments, groups or organizations! Check out our upcoming Be Well Huts on Wellness Promotion RamConnect page. 

Students at a BeWell Hut

Students at a BeWell Hut

Students with Rammy at a BeWell Hut

RefRAMe Campaign

About:

Wellness Promotion has received funding from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB), Bureau of Alcohol Education’s Reducing Underage Drinking and Dangerous Drinking (RUDD) Grant to develop and enhance alcohol education programming for WCU students through the development of several initiatives including the RefRAMe Campaign . The campaign is aimed at reframing the campus culture around alcohol use. Misperceptions and misinformation lead to overestimating use, pressure to consume, normalizing dangerous behaviors, and diminished risk of behaviors.

The goals of the RefRAMe Campaign include: 
-Developing institutional capacity through data collection and analysis to identify ways in which the role of alcohol on our campus culture can be reframed
-Implementing strategic initiatives to reframe campus culture through conversation, environment, and events
-Developing evaluation measures to assess effectiveness of campaign efforts in changing campus culture

Campaign Resources:

Ram Connect

WCU Student Support Center

WCU Pet Therapy Program

wcu signage

Posters:

Yard Signs

Reframe Campaign. Looking to meet new people? Skip the booze and peruse WCU's 300+ clubs and organizations on RamConnect.
Reframe Campaign. You don't have to drink to get drunk if you are choosing to drink alcohol.
WCU Resources and caring people to support you in making the best decisions for YOU about consuming alcohol.
Responsible Rams support their peers in their decisions to not drink alcohol.
Alcohol doesn't have to be a part of your experience at WCU.

Rack Cards

Looking to meet new people? Skip the booze and peruse WCU's 300+ clubs and organizations on RamConnect. WCU has resources and caring people to support you in making the best decisiosn for you about consuming alcohol. If choosing to drink alcohol, responsible Rams space out their drinks. It's beneficial to count your drinks and alternate between water and alcohol.
Lower-Risk drinking strategies. Set limits on the number of drinks you want to consume before drinking. Keep track of how many standard drinks you consume. Experiment with drinking less and refusing drinks. Eat before and while you are drinking. Alternate alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks. Avoid drinking games. Space your drinks over time. Avoid mixing alcohol with energy drinks or other caffeinated beverages. Designate a sober driver. Refuse to ride in a car with an intoxicated driver. Have an exit plan in mind before drinking. Remember choosing not to drink is always a legitimate choice. WCU has resources to help you make values-based decisions: Ram Resources, The Divions of Student Affairs, Wellness Promotion, Center for Women and Gender Equity, Center fro Trans and Queer Advocacy, Office of Student Conduct, Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Dowdy Multicultural Center, Title IX Office, Student Assistance, Care Team, The Counseling Center, Student Health Services, Department of Public Safety, On-Campus Legal Advice.

Posters

Feeling stressed? Missing your pets? Drinking alcohol isn't the best way to alleviate the pressure and stress associated with college life.
WCU Students often over perceive the amount of alcohol their peers drink. Choosing not to drink alcohol isn't out of the ordinary.
If choosing to drink alcohol, responsible rams space out their drinks. It's beneficial to count your drinks and alternate between water and alcohol.
WCU offers late night and weekend activities as an alternative to drinking alcohol.
WCU offers hundreds of academic, social, and volunteer opportunities that enrigh your college experience beyond partying and drinking alcohol.
WCU Reframe Campaign

Refresh Sleep Program

Are you having trouble getting quality sleep? Are you interested in learning how to get more restful nights? The Refresh Sleep program, developed at Stanford University, provides college students with skills and strategies to achieve better sleep. Course material is distributed to students weekly for a total of 7 weeks through email.

Student participants will receive weekly email tips and strategies to achieve more restful night sleep as well as a weekly sleep log. Students will spend on average 10-30 minutes per week with the program content that includes information about:

  • The physiology of sleep
  • Sleep hygiene
  • Relaxation techniques
  • Mindfulness
  • Cognitive strategies

The next 7-week Refresh Sleep Program begins October 23.  Registration deadline is October 22 at 12pm. Register on our RamConnect page.

The Ram Box

The Ram Box is a FREE initiative through Wellness Promotion that functions similar to a subscription box. Through this initiative, students can request a box that includes educational materials and some fun surprises connected to the topic of the box. The Ram Box is packaged in a discreet manner so no one other than the requestor knows the content included. Below are the different types of boxes available for students to request during the semester. Students will receive notification from our department email, wellness@wcupa.edu, or our graduate assistant, ks906141@wcupa.edu, when their box is ready for pick-up. Boxes may be picked up from the Student Health Services Lobby in the Lower Level of Commonwealth Hall. We are able to ship a limited quantity of Ram Boxes to students taking all their classes remotely or taking their classes on Exton/Philadelphia locations AND reside more than 30 miles from WCU. Boxes are not eligible to be shipped internationally. Requests are on a first come, first serve basis.

  • Stress Detox Box: This box contains a series of tools and resources to help students navigate the challenges of being a college student. Included in each kit is a fidget toy, stress ball, aids to de-stress such as coloring sheets and tea, and more! This box can be requested once a semester.
  • Sunshine in a Box: This box contains a series of tools and resources to assist students in exploring well-being through the practice of gratitude. Included in each box is a gratitude journal and prompts, savoring activity with Dove chocolate, thank you cards, and more! This box can be requested once a semester.
  • Period Kit: Students can select from a variety of menstrual products, including pads, tampons, panty liners, and menstrual cups.  Included in each kit are the supplies, educational content, and self-care items for students.  This box can be requested once every 30 days, and the menstrual cups can be requested once. 
  • The T-Break Kit: This box includes our T-Break guide to help support you on a cannabis tolerance break, along with other surprises and resources to help you along the way!
  • The Birthday Box: This box is a special treat for your 21st birthday, including educational resources to help you have a fun and safe birthday celebration! *must be celebrating 21st birthday in Fall 2024*

Grab and Go Contraception

A variety of contraception items are available for students in the vestibule area of Student Health Services, ground floor of Commonwealth Hall, 24-hours a day. 

Fresh Check Day

**ATTENTION: Fresh Check Day has been moved the the MAC Court @ Campus Rec.**

Fresh Check Day is a signature program from the Jordan Porco Foundation designed to bring awareness to mental health promotion and suicide prevention. This event includes interactive booths and peer-to-peer messaging through a fun and interactive event. The program's primary goals include:

  • Increase awareness of mental health resources and services available to students
  • Reduce stigma and misconceptions about mental health and suicide that often deter individuals from seeking help
  • Empower peers to be gatekeepers by understanding warning signs and knowing what to do if a friend is exhibiting signs of suicide or mental health concerns
  • Increase willingness to ask for help if experiencing emotional distress.

To learn more about Fresh Check Day, click here.

View the schedule of events for Fall 2024 here .

student workers at fresh check day

Student Health and Well-Being Expo

Wellness Promotion and the WCU Department of Health coordinate a Student Health and Well-Being Expo each fall.  Check back at the start of the fall 2024 semester for more details!  

Student Health and Well-Being Expo Banner- 2023             SAVE THE DATE STUDENT HEALTH &             WELL-BEING EXPO             WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2023 • 1-3PM For more information on how to get involved or if you have questions, please contact Dr. Rebecca Rich (rrich@wcupa.edu) or Jayme Trogus             (itrogus@wcupa.edu)

WCU Students

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