Resolution 2023-F5-2000

Posted on November 20, 2023

Supporting the Adoption of the Okanagan Charter at UIC

Chief Sponsor(s): Vice President Michael Fernandes, President Matthew Almendras
WHEREAS, the Undergraduate Student Government serves the needs of the student body and is
committed to advocating for mental health and wellness resources and support on campus; and
WHEREAS, UIC should continue to work towards cultivating an environment and culture of wellness;
and
WHEREAS, in recent meetings with Dr. Raphael D. Florestal-Kevelier, Assistant Vice Chancellor for
Student Health & Wellness, the Okanagan Charter has been discussed and its benefits for students
nationwide has been established; and
WHEREAS, the Okanagan Charter is a an international charter for health promoting universities and
colleges that put the wellness of students at the forefront of all university matters; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the Okanagan Charter is to “Guide and inspire action by providing a
framework that reflects the latest concepts, processes and principles relevant to the Health Promoting
Universities and Colleges movement. . . Generate dialogue and research that expands local, regional,
national and international networks and accelerates action on, off and between campuses. Mobilize
international, cross-sector action for the integration of health in all policies and practices, thus advancing
the continued development of health promoting universities and colleges”; and
WHEREAS, many colleges around the US have adopted the Okanagan Charter such as UC Berkeley,
Northern Illinois University, University of Michigan, Cornell University, and our peer institution Kansas
State University; and
WHEREAS, the Undergraduate Student Government supports the mission to promote health and
well-being across all facets of university life; then
LET IT BE RESOLVED, the Undergraduate Student Government will support the adoption of the
Okanagan Charter at UIC and will encourage UIC to become a signatory of the Okanagan Charter.
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, USG will communicate with administrators on campus to
advocate for support of the Okanagan Charter.

Introduced on October 16, 2023.

Result: Passed on October 23, 2023.