A Campus Wellbeing Framework has been finalized by the Provost’s Advisory Committee on Wellness, and endorsed by the university’s Senior Leadership Team. 

It is the result of six months of consultations in 2019-20 with Queen’s students, staff, and faculty, and represents the shared wellbeing vision of more than 1,800 Queen’s community members who told the Campus Wellness Project team that campus wellbeing is rooted in a culture of care, inclusion and respect, social connectedness, the place we learn and work and in the multiple dimensions of personal health.  

“The pandemic’s impact on our community’s health and wellbeing has been profound,” says Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Patrick Deane. “Now, more than ever, we must be mindful of our campus culture, and ensure that we foster a sense of belonging for all our members.  We need social connection and we have been reminded daily of just how significant our health and wellbeing is for our community now and in the future. Sincere thanks to everyone involved and all community members who participated in the process.” 

The framework is an interrelated set of principles and priority focus areas to help, support and encourage a culture of wellbeing for all who live, learn, and work at Queen’s. It aligns with the Okanagan Charter, which Queen’s adopted in January 2019. The charter calls on post-secondary institutions to embed health and wellbeing in all aspects of campus culture, and to lead human and environmental wellbeing promotion action, locally and globally. 

In February, a draft framework was released to Queen’s students, staff and faculty for review and comment. Soon after, our concept of the idea of ‘campus’ was challenged and perhaps forever changed by the pandemic.  Over the Spring and Summer, the Queen’s community responded to the principal and provost’s requests for feedback with enthusiasm and support. Comments received have been incorporated into the final document. Specifically, students, staff and faculty continued to call on the university to advance an inclusive and diverse community where all community members feel welcomed, valued and respected. The 'Culture' section of the framework has been updated to more fully reflect these voices and align with the Queen’s Declaration of Commitment to Address Systemic Racism and the Principal’s Report on The Conversation. 

Some comments related to specific actions or tactics that promote campus wellbeing. These will be shared with cross-campus, cross-functional wellbeing working groups that will be struck to support implementation of each of the framework’s priority areas of action under the oversight of the Provost’s Advisory Committee on Wellness. Centralized co-ordination of health and wellbeing initiatives, plans and communications will drive the continued advancement of campus wellbeing, particularly as the university navigates the uncertainties of COVID-19 and its continued impacts on the community.  

Read the Campus Wellbeing Framework.