Collaboration fosters wellbeing on campus

Lincoln University embraces Te Whare Tapa Whā and 5 Ways of Wellbeing, as well as providing educational workshops and taking part in national campaigns.

With this in mind, the LU Students’ Association (LUSA) and Te Awhioraki teamed up with the university’s Wellbeing & International Support team to host Marama Hauora (Wellness Month) from 2-27 May.

Pink Shirt Day

Two key events that took place during Marama Hauora were Pink Shirt Day on 20 May and Lincoln University’s own on-campus Diversity Day on 23 May.

Pink Shirt Day is a global anti-bullying campaign that celebrates diversity and creates environments where all people can feel safe, valued and respected. Staff members came together for a pink-themed morning tea event and there were treats available for student allies in Grounded, courtesy of LUSA.

An enthusiastic group of students and staff, including Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Edwards, met outside the iconic Ivey Hall building for group photos, to show their support for the cause.
Diversity Day

Diversity Day was held on 23 May to mark the United Nations’ World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development and honour the diverse Lincoln whānau made up of students coming from more than 60 different countries around the world.

A special diversity exhibit was displayed in the library and Te Awhioraki served a lunch of hangi pies, fried bread and steamed pudding on Forbes Lawn.

Students and staff were also encouraged to celebrate diversity by taking part in individual or group activities, including chatting with someone from a different background, reflecting on what diversity means at Lincoln, considering individual biases and reading articles or watching videos about diversity.

Other activities

In the four weeks between 2-27 May, a week was dedicated to each of the four different aspects of wellbeing: taha tinana (physical health), taha wairua (spiritual health), taha whānau (family health and connection) and taha hinengaro (mental health).

Taha tinana was promoted with a volleyball session on Forbes Lawn, badminton and a bouldering event at the LU Gym, and kai served in the dedicated student space, Grounded. LUSA also encouraged students to take advantage of their free gym membership and join the LU Gym, pointing out that physical exercise is proven to have a positive impact on mental health.

Taha wairua was facilitated with activities including guided meditation sessions, free head and neck massages in Grounded and yoga classes at the LU Gym.

Club open sessions also took place to showcase some of the student organisations available on campus, such as Pottery Club, Carpentry Club and the Nerd Association.

Taha whānau involved free coffee and muffins, as well as movie and quiz nights in Grounded, and LUSA encouraged students to look out for their whānau and connect with those close to them, suggesting that “grabbing a coffee and sitting down for a yarn” was a good place to start.

Taha hinengaro involved more free kai and sharing a range of wellbeing apps and websites with students. LUSA also organised the event, ‘Animals on Forbes’ lawn, which allowed for bonding with rabbits, piglets and more to help reduce the stress of daily life.