Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 77.06
Liaison Laura Bain
Submission Date June 22, 2021

STARS v2.2

Furman University
PA-14: Wellness Program

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.75 / 1.00 Laura Bain
Associate Director of Sustainability Assessment
David E. Shi Center for Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a wellness program that makes counseling, referral, and wellbeing services available to all students?:
Yes

Does the institution have a wellness and/or employee assistance program that makes counseling, referral, and wellbeing services available to all academic staff?:
Yes

Does the institution have a wellness and/or employee assistance program that makes counseling, referral, and wellbeing services available to all non-academic staff?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s wellness and/or employee assistance program(s):

For students, we always have a nurse on duty and a local physician on call to treat common illnesses, dispense over-the-counter medications, and provide care for chronic illnesses. Aside from routine and emergency medical care, we also offer a women’s clinic, a sports medicine/physical therapy center, counseling center, and alcohol and drug education.

The Body Project is a body-acceptance program designed to help women resist cultural pressures to conform to the appearance ideal standard of female beauty and reduce their pursuit of unrealistic bodies. The workshop duration is 2 hours and consists of two sessions.

The mission of the Employee Furman University Wellness Program is to provide environmental, social, and individual support to encourage the Furman community to engage in healthy lifestyles that promote optimal well-being. This program focuses on physical, financial, social/community, career, and emotional well-being. Staff and faculty are provided information on how to access the program through the benefits guide and HR communication.

Mental health and wellbeing are important. Therefore, Furman provides all faculty and staff with access to WellTrack, an interactive online self-help tool. It includes guided tools and resources for stress, anxiety and depression, relaxation techniques, a virtual Zen room, MoodCheck – the daily mood tracker, and a personal progress dashboard. This tool is completely confidential and FREE.

Human Resources offers workshops related to health and wellness, available to all employees. For example: “The Three R’s of Stress Management: Rethink, Reframe, Relax.” In the seminar, participants define stress and stomp out the myths that often keep people stressed. Participants also use self-assessments to learn how they think about themselves and how they process information. Finally, participants will learn positive psychology, mindfulness, and other data-driven techniques that can bring relaxation to their lives.

A free four-week course for faculty on mindfulness and meditation led by Min-Ken Liao and Meghan Slining. In this course, we will explore different mindfulness techniques, discuss personal practice experiences, and enjoy each other’s mindful presence.


Does the institution prohibit smoking within all occupied buildings owned or leased by the institution?:
Yes

Does the institution restrict outdoor smoking?:
Yes

Does the institution prohibit smoking and tobacco use across the entire campus?:
No

A copy of the institution's smoke-free policy:
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The institution’s smoke-free policy:

Smoking
The Surgeon General of the United States has determined that cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of illness and premature death in the nation. Moreover, research indicates that nonsmokers who are regularly exposed to passive (secondhand) tobacco smoke are also at increased risk of illness. For these reasons, the Surgeon General has urged employers to implement health promotion programs with special emphasis on smoking cessation. In addition, local ordinances have been passed with the intention of restricting the use of lighted smoking materials in public places. As an institution committed to providing a safe and healthful environment, Furman University adopts this smoking policy as well as a smoking cessation program. It is recognized that smoke from cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, pipes and/or cigars is hazardous to health. Therefore, it is the goal of Furman to offer a smoke free environment to the greatest extent possible. Furman will limit smoking as noted below.

1. Smoking (including but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, e-cigs juuls, vapes, and pipes) is prohibited in all indoor locations including but not limited to:
a. general office space, including but not limited to private offices
b.computer rooms, classrooms, laboratories, lecture rooms, conference rooms, and library
c. storage rooms, supply rooms, copy rooms, and mail room
d. common areas, including but not limited to elevators, stairwells, hallways, lobbies, reception areas, employee lounges, cafeterias, breezeways between buildings, break rooms, and restrooms
e. garages, maintenance shops and mechanical rooms
f. hazardous areas containing or in close proximity to flammable liquids, gases and vapors
g. stadium offices, concession stands, press box, gym, physical activities center
h.theaters, except for smoking required in plays (or scenes) for the actors/actresses on stage
i. exhibit halls, auditoriums
j. interior areas of campus housing buildings

2. Smoking is permitted outdoors, with the following exceptions:
a. within 25 feet of any building entrance or operable window
b. within the boundaries of all outdoor stadiums (football, soccer) during games
c. on building roofs or within 25 feet of air intake louvers.

3. Smoking is prohibited in all on-campus buildings, balconies, patios and porches. Smoking is permitted outdoors, except for within 25 feet of any building entrance or operable window. Any student has the right to respectfully approach a peer whose smoking is disruptive. Anyone approached about smoking should make an effort to find another viable location to smoke. Violations of the smoking policy will result in a minimum $100 fine.

4. Hookahs are prohibited.

5. Smoking is prohibited in university-owned vehicles.


Website URL where information about the institution’s wellness programs is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.