Exercise is Medicine On Campus

Exercise is Medicine® on Campus (EIM-OC) is a collaborative effort between the Kinesiology department, the Exercise is Medicine Student Association, Lafene Health Center and Recreational Services that encourages faculty, staff, and students to work together toward improving the health and well-being of the campus community by:

• Making movement a part of the daily campus culture
• Providing students the tools necessary to strengthen healthy physical activity habits that can last a lifetime

For the eigth year, the Department of Kinesiology and the Exercise is Medicine-On Campus (EIM-OC) committee will be bringing the global health initiative, Exercise is Medicine® to K-State in October. Exercise is Medicine-On Campus is a program calling upon universities and colleges to engage in the promotion of physical activity as a vital sign of health and create a culture of wellness on campus. President Linton signed a proclamation declaring October as Exercise is Medicine-On Campus month.

 

Kansas State University was one of 145 universities and colleges around the world to be honored by Exercise is Medicine ® for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus during the annual Academy of Sports Medicine conference in June. Activities hosted throughout EIM-OC month last October earned the Kinesiology department gold level designation for the first time.

Exercise is Medicine-On Campus (EIM-OC) launched its recognition program in 2014 to honor campuses for their efforts to create a culture of wellness. Schools earn gold, silver or bronze status based on their activities. Gold-level campuses engage students, faculty and staff in education initiatives and make movement part of the daily campus culture while promoting and generating awareness of the health benefits of physical activity. Activities have included research-based seminars with experts from across the country, lunch and learn sessions, campus walks, health screenings, games and events that encourage physical movement. For the 2023-2024 academic year, along with the previous activities, the leadership team implemented a new outreach measure: administering a physical activity assessment and referral system through Lafene Health Center and K-State Recreational Services.

The Exercise is Medicine-On Campus program plays a pivotal role in supporting the university's Okanagan Charter, which was adopted at the end of 2023.

"It is such a thrill to see that K-State is now recognized as an Exercise Is Medicine gold-level institution," said Kathleen Hatch, Morrison Family associate vice president for student well-being and K-State Committee for a Health-Promoting University member. "Inspiring movement with robust programs and services for our campus is such a critical part of supporting our work as a new Health-Promoting University. I am deeply grateful for the talent and dedication of so many to keep inspiring our wider environment to value human health and well-being in all that we do."

To learn more about how to get involved, please email Lauren McDaniel.