UL System Students Organize “The Get Fit Movement”
Health Activities to be Held Next Week at All Nine Universities
BATON ROUGE – Today across the state people are staring at buckets full of candy and other remnants of a rainy Halloween. There is a cold front on the way and daylight savings ends on Sunday, ushering in the holiday season. A byproduct of this trifecta of colder weather, shorter days, and holiday foods can be weight gain. This is just one reason why the University of Louisiana System Student Advisory Council (SAC) is dedicating a series of events next week at the nine universities to promote health and wellness.
“The Get Fit Movement” will involve health screenings, yoga classes, martial arts, boxing, dancing, alcohol awareness, mental health activities, and field day competitions. The goal is to reach 1,000 participants in five days.
Each year the nine new Student Government Association Presidents who comprise the UL System’s Student Advisory Council commit to a service-learning project. Last year’s project was promoting recycling with Keep Louisiana Beautiful. This year, SAC chose to promote physical and mental wellness at the nine universities.
“Our student leaders are to be commended for coordinating this project not only for going above and beyond their commitments in the classroom, but also for targeting a very real problem in Louisiana,” said UL System President Sandra Woodley.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Louisiana had the highest rate of obesity at 34.7% in 2012. Because of obesity-related health conditions, people who are obese annually spend $1,429 more in medical expenses than those of normal weight, and the total estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the U.S. was $147 billion in 2008.
“We encourage our fellow students, the faculty and staff members on our campuses, and members of our university communities to participate in next week’s events. There will be something for everyone interested in living a healthy lifestyle,” said SAC Service-Learning Coordinator and Nicholls SGA President Melissa Cloutet.
Scroll down for a detailed list of activities by campus and day.
-ULS-
ABOUT THE UL SYSTEM: The University of Louisiana System is the largest higher education system in Louisiana with 90,000 students at nine universities: Grambling State University, Louisiana Tech University, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and the University of New Orleans.
GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY
Contact: SGA President Jordan Harvey, jf.harvey1@yahoo.com
Monday, Nov. 4, 2013
Health and Safety Fair
6 p.m. in the Black & Gold Room
Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013
SGA aerobics night, basketball tournament, yoga, and diet tips
6 p.m. in the Intramural Center
Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013
Forum with SGA and Students: 10 Tips to Living a Longer Life
6 p.m. in Grambling Hall
LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY
Contact: SGA President Allison East, ace007@latech.edu
Monday, Nov. 4, 2013
Yoga and Meditation
9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the Quad
This is a vinyasa yoga class instructed by Courtney Thibault.
Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013
Physical Fitness
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Kinesiology
The Kinesiology Department will conduct fitness assessments such as blood pressure screenings, body composition analysis, and strength, flexibility, and balance assessments.
3 p.m. – 4 p.m. Crossfit
Instructor Evan Derveloy will provide an action-packed session of full body fun!
7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Mosely’s Movement at the Tonk
Instructor Johnny Mitchell will provide a fun, action-packed workout that combines martial arts, boxing and dance moves.
Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013
Ruston Healthy Living
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Plaza
Come see some of the healthy choices that Ruston has to offer!
Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013
Athletes to Schools
Louisiana Tech athletes will have a meet and greet with local elementary/middle schools where they will discuss the importance of balancing social life, fitness, and nutrition.
Friday, Nov. 8, 2013
Field Day
3 p.m. at Hideaway Park “Dog Pound”
The SGA and Lambright Sports & Wellness Center will mix a little fun with fitness!
MCNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY
Contact: SGA President Davante Lewis, sgapresident@mcneese.edu
Monday, Nov. 4, 2013
“Understanding the Risk”
Information will be available about disease and illness, diabetes, and eating habits. Giveaways will include healthy snacks.
Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013
“Get out of your mind”- Mental Health Day
Representatives from the counseling center will talk about the importance of mental health. There will be tables in the Student Union as well as “Stress Free Activities” including a vent wall, and other games.
Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013
“Let’s Get Physical”- Physical Fitness
There will be small activities to do in the Quad with students including jump roping and other items of play. From 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. there will be a Zumba class in the Student Union.
Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013
“Everybody Shots, Shots, Shots” – Alcohol Awareness
During the day, there will be information about alcohol abuse including drunk goggles and items located in the Quad.
At 7 p.m. in the Student Union a Comedy Show called “Shot of Reality” will educate students about encountering alcohol in a college environment. Entertaining and informative, two performers present the show in the form of a birthday party for the student audience. Alternating between hilarious improvisations, in which the audience participates, and educational sketches which drive home facts and statistics.
Friday, Nov. 8, 2013
“I Pledge”
Students will be asked to sign on a large paper their pledge to living healthy.
NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY
Contact: SGA President Melissa Cloutet, sga.president@nicholls.edu
Monday, Nov. 4, 2013
All day in the Student Union
Promotional day with a fruit tray and granola bars available
Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013
7 p.m. in the Recreational Center
Nutrition specialist forum with dietetics professor Bridgett Scott
Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013
Evening class in the Recreational Center
SGA sponsored fitness class
Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013
All day in the Student Union
“Thirsty Thursday” water giveaway with health and wellness quiz
Friday, Nov. 8, 2013
All day in the Quad
Field day outdoors will include various activities and games and conclude with the week’s challenge to reach 1,000 push-ups.
NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY
Contact: Kyla Winey, kylawiney@yahoo.com
Monday, Nov. 4, 2013
Students will participate in a physical education class at a local elementary school
Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013
Students will participate in a physical education class at a local middle school.
There will be a Zumba class in the student recreation center.
Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013
Students will participate in a physical education class and talk about health at a local high school.
Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013
Student will participate in a field day on campus.
SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY
Contact: SGA President Greg Crovetto, Gregory.crovetto@selu.edu
Monday, Nov. 4, 2013
SGA will hand out water bottles to promote drinking water.
Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013
SGA will encourage people to sign up for recreational sports and wellness classes on campus.
Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013
SGA will hand out water bottles to promote drinking water.
Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013
SGA will encourage people to sign up for recreational sports and wellness classes on campus.
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT LAFAYETTE
Contact: SGA President David Neef, idneef92@yahoo.com
Monday, Nov. 4, 2013
“Promotional Day”
7 a.m. – 9 a.m. on Rex Street
SGA will hand out bottled water, pedometers and flyers of Group X schedule at our Recreation Center.
Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013
“Ride a bike to school day!”
5:15 p.m. at Bourgeois Hall
SGA Group X Cycle 30
Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013
“Wellness Wednesday”
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Student Wellness Center
Free body weight, blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation, glucose screening and hearing and vision screening for students.
6 p.m. at Bourgeois Hall
SGA Group X Zumba Night
Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013
“Mind, Stress Less”
6:15 p.m. at Bourgeois Hall
Yoga for students
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE
Contact: SGA President Jana Robinson, Robinsjl@warhawks.ulm.edu
Monday, Nov. 4, 2013
SGA will pass out water and informational brochures on campus.
Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013
SGA will host a mental health forum in partnership with the counseling center on campus.
Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013
SGA will offer a yoga class to students on campus in the Quad.
Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013
Students will participate in a physical education class at a local elementary school.
UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS
Contact: SGA President Brandan Bonds, bbonds@my.uno.edu
Monday, Nov. 4, 2013
Promotional Day
Informational tables and flyers will be available in the University Center
Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013
Physical
A wellness workshop will be given by health educator Tomas Mulleady, and First Year Experience students will participate in a Walk around the Quad.
Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013
Intellectual and Social
There will be a GFM Fair in the University Center that will include various student and university groups, a blood drive, and a Conquering Procrastination Workshop from 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Pizza will be provided.
Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013
Emotional, Meaning & Mindfulness, Financial
3 – 3:50 p.m. Relaxation Session in the University Center
Friday, Nov. 8, 2013
Social
Students will organize physical activities at a local elementary school
