NIRSA is proud to co-sponsor a half-day preconference session at the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services (CACUSS) Annual Conference, which will be in Charlottetown, PEI, June 17-20. CACUSS is the professional association representing individuals who work in Canadian post-secondary institutions in student affairs.

This preconference event, “Creating a Healthy Campus Needs Everyone – Strategies into Partnerships & Action,” will feature an expert panel on advanced strategies for creating healthy campuses. The panel, moderated by NIRSA members Kathleen Hatch and Chris Dawe, will feature representatives from across several institutions and associations, including the Canadian Health Promoting University & Colleges Network (CHPUCN); Association of Registrars of Universities and Colleges of Canada (ARUCC); and U Sports, the national governing body of university sport in Canada.

While the CACUSS conference itself is sold out, registration for preconference activities is still open. The “Creating a Healthy Campus Needs Everyone” precon will take place Sunday, June 17 from 12:00pm – 4:00pm at the Prince Edward Island Convention Centre. There is also a great opportunity to attend the NIRSA Canadian Region’s Atlantic meeting on Friday, June 15 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island and then continue the conversation on Sunday with CACUSS peers.

Learn more about the Okanagan Charter

One key learning outcome of the precon is to understand the role of the Okanagan Charter “in providing a unifying and visible framework for success” on campuses. NIRSA members will recognize this framework from ongoing wellbeing conversations throughout the past year, as well as the NIRSA Board of Directors’ endorsement of this document in last October.

Collaboration with student affairs colleagues

NIRSA’s partnering with CACUSS on this preconference event is one of the many ways the Association is actively working to further the important work of building cultures of wellbeing on campuses. NIRSA will continue working with our higher education peers on both sides of the 49th parallel, as was the case when the NIRSA and NASPA boards of directors recently endorsed a joint wellbeing statement.

In doing so, the Association will model the collaboration and integration that is essential to bringing a true culture of wellbeing to fruition.

  • For more information on NIRSA’s wellbeing work and partnerships, please contact NIRSA Director of Advocacy & Strategic Partnerships Erin O’Sullivan. For more information on NIRSA’s Canadian Region, please contact NIRSA Assistant Director of Membership Emily Hughes.