Every Tuesday night at 8 p.m., health education moves outside the classroom and into the Koury Athletic Center. The new series of programs, HealthEU, is designed to supplement the health and wellness course that is being removed from the required freshmen core next year.
Becca Bishopric, campus coordinator for health promotion, said she collaborated with SPARKS and Campus Rec to begin HealthEU to the physical education department and the health center.
“We want to help students get active and interested in their health,” said Bishopric.
Through both seminar and activity-based lessons, HealthEU covers topics including nutrition, sex and physical education. Bishopric said she hopes student participating in the program will feel comfortable talking to each other and asking questions about their health.
“There will be few adults at these meetings, just students talking to students,” she said. “We want student-focused and driven conversations.”
The first meeting was about nutrition and featured a presentation from SPARKS. The second meeting was held in Jordan Gym to accommodate a free Zumba class, which was open to all students. Peter Tulchinsky, director of campus recreation, estimated about 20 students attended each of the events.
“The long-term of the HealthEU program is to make students aware of taking care of themselves,” said Tulchinsky.
Kelsey Liddle, a sophomore group member of SPARKS, has gone to every Health EU event, and plans on continuing to attend.
“I first went in support of my SPARKS group members, but I decided to come back when I really enjoyed the first meeting,” Liddle said.
The weekly meetings will alternate between activities, such as dance, exercise and yoga, and seminars on topics such as nutrition, sex and stress, according to Bishopric.
“HealthEU is informing students on ways to keep yourself healthy on campus,” Liddle said. “I recommend it to all students.”