EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Eastern Michigan University students, staff and members of the community won’t have to miss out on many of their favorite wellness and exercise classes and programs, as EMU has moved them online so they can still be enjoyed and worked into your daily routine during these stay- at-home days.

“We recognize that so many of our students' day to day activities that help them to maintain and grow their wellness have dropped away during the COVID-19 crisis,” said Sean Woolf, associate director of the EMU Office of Wellness and Community Responsibility. “We want to help to maintain their wellness practices and maybe even develop new ones. We believe that wellness practices become extremely important in times of stress and grief, as they help us to build resilience and better our ability to weather adversity.”

The classes and times for the online programs and classes are available on the main EMU event calendar.

The Rec/IM and Counseling and Psychological Services, also known as CAPS, are also hard at work creating online wellness opportunities for students. Currently there are classes and programs available online such as yoga, pilates, meditation and even OWCR’s Wellness Woof dog therapy sessions. All three of these offices are working together to help promote each other’s offerings and social media presence with the hashtag #eagleslivingwell.

In addition, Woolf says, the Office of Wellness and Community Responsibility is offering two new engagement opportunities designed to address student needs during the pandemic response. 

Wellness Check-Ins: These online meetings will provide students with an opportunity to work with an OWCR staff member to generate plans for maintaining or enhancing emotional, spiritual, intellectual, physical, environmental, financial, occupational, and social wellness. Check-ins may be scheduled by clicking on the appointment website. Faculty and staff may also request that the OWCR reach out to a student and offer this service  by emailing the office at  EMU_OWCR@EMICH.EDU.  

Woolf notes that Wellness Check-Ins are not meant to address mental health concerns, nor are they intended as a substitute for clinical intervention. For mental health and other similar concerns, faculty, staff or students should continue to contact CAPS, Woolf said.  

Weekly Wellness Roundtables: Each roundtable will be a discussion of one wellness dimension and how to engage or become involved with that aspect during the pandemic response. Students will have the opportunity to discuss concerns, strategies and to hear how others are maintaining their own wellness. The roundtables will be hosted on Zoom by the office every Tuesday and Thursday at 2 p.m. and the links will be provided on Facebook, Instagram and EMU today. 

“We will continue to expand our offerings as needed and are very open to requests and suggestions,” Woolf said.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves nearly 18,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.