What does it mean to be a healthy campus? This is a question that is being tackled by Campus Action Teams across Ontario through the Engaging Emerging Leaders in Cancer Control (E2C2) initiative.
A 2-year project funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, E2C2 gives students a platform to lead and innovate at campus’ in communities from Toronto to Thunder Bay. E2C2 is a network of engaged student leaders taking innovative-province wide action for a healthy campus, healthy community development and cancer control. 5 campaigns at 5 universities will connect healthy choices today, for long-term health and cancer control.
University of Toronto
Project Focus: Physical Activity and Healthy Eating
The E2C2 team at the U of T St. George Campus is gearing up for their healthy eating and active living campaign. The team will introduce the campaign with a video story of 8 UofT students impacted by cancer. Post-video, the team will be mobilizing students with the message “ONE step at a time, for cancer control” and a print/social media campaign (i.e. ONE step at a time, for cancer control = getting 30 minutes of exercise daily). The team is planning a healthy snack bake-off/healthy dish cook-off. Students can register a healthy snack/dish and the winning recipe will be served across campus. Additionally, the team will develop a student panel for healthy eating across campus.
Carleton University
Project Focus: Tobacco Control and Physical Activity
The purpose of this campaign is to raise awareness about the prevention of cancer. The Carleton University team will deal with the issue of tobacco and physical activity. Carleton is perhaps the only Ontario university that has their student union selling tobacco on campus. The student organizers are taking action on this due to a strong correlation between tobacco exposure and cancer rates.
The team will raise money for cancer research during the campaign period and look to demonstrate how exercise is a better alternative to smoking in combatting stress. To do this, the team will raise awareness about options on campus that can aid in quitting smoking as well as different services that the athletics department provides. While building an overall appreciation of recreational activity in general, the team will also work with a long-term view, holding various events on and off campus.
The team also expects to participate in a joint summit with Queens University and relevant stakeholders to find realistic solutions to replacing tobacco sales on campus.
Lakehead University
Project Focus: Physical Activity and Healthy Eating
The campaign goals for Lakehead University include increasing accessibility to healthy food choices and motivating physical activity events. The student volunteers hope to increase awareness of the resources already available to students on campus and in the community, as well as invite community organizations on campus to promote such resources. Additionally, students will reach out to local farmer’s markets and fitness organizations to achieving these goals.
Queens University
Project Focus: UVR Radiation and Tobacco Control
The Queens University Campus Action Team (CAT) received their strategic planning workshop on November 1. At this workshop, it was decided that the team would focus their campaign on addressing UV Exposure, due to the presence of tanning be ds on campus. Moreover, the team decided to also place a secondary focus on the issue of tobacco sales and revenue as cigarettes are also sold on campus. The team saw these issues as “one in the same” and complimentary.
– Students will conduct simple survey around campus about student’s thoughts on eliminating tanning beds, sale of tobacco
– C2CC presented team with idea to participate in a summit with Carleton University team who is also focused on eliminating tobacco sales. At the end of the summit, team will have an action plan.
– Cancer Free Queens T-shirt Campaign: E2C2 team encourages students to wear tshirts on specific day (Cancer Free Queens Day). Increase visibility of campaign, administrative staff/faculty take notice.
– Will take results of survey and action plan from summit to university administration and lobby for elimination of carcinogens.
McMaster University
Project Focus: HPV Vaccination and Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Misuse
The McMaster team has brainstormed several ideas and will implement an action campaign to control cancer. Through the E2C2 Campaign, the McMaster Team hopes to change policies concerning the HPV Vaccination and break the stigma that it is only meant for females. The Action Team will look to encourage more of the McMaster community to become aware of cancers caused by the virus and realize the benefits of receiving the vaccination. In regards to tobacco and alcohol usage, the team hopes to raise awareness about the negative impact they have have and promote quitting during a “smoke-free week” held in January. We also hope to take away cigarette boxes from directly outside of buildings.