Site showcases McMaster commitment to Okanagan Charter

In 2017 McMaster was one of the first Canadian universities to formally sign on to The Okanagan Charter, a commitment to support and advance health and well-being in everything Mac does.

Now, a new website helps showcase and highlight the depth and breadth of health and well-being initiatives on campus.

The site, which launched September 23, connects students, faculty, staff and community members with health and well-being resources.

Since McMaster signed the Charter, a working group has been tasked with ensuring the Charter’s principles and vision are embedded in all aspects of campus life. The committee is led by Paul O’Byrne, vice-president and dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and includes leaders from across the campus.

“If we can make universities healthier, we can make the world healthier and have a global impact,” O’Byrne says. “There is no other university in Canada that has the depth of programming and supports for health and well-being. This is part of championing a brighter world and is a natural progression of the many years’ of research, teaching and learning to help advance health and well-being at McMaster.”

Through the summer, a small team worked to identify programs and activities across campus that support health and well-being. A searchable database was built detailing programs and resources, while sharing information about McMaster’s research, teaching and learning and academic programs that focus on health. 

“The site is meant to connect both members of the McMaster and broader Hamilton community with resources,” says Lynn Armstrong, a staff member in the Faculty of Health Sciences and a member of the McMaster Okanagan Committee. “The website includes accessibility information, details on sustainability and links to emergency supports.”

Visitors can learn about programs such as the Physical Activity Centre of Excellence (PACE) along with the walkability and cyclability of campus. The wayfinding signs to help visitors navigate campus are all part of the overall goal of improving health and well-being at McMaster.

Armstrong is actively seeking community feedback and submission of any other information about programs and activities that can be added to the site.