Ivy Tech Community College–Northeast Interim Chancellor Russell D. Baker, Ed.D., announced a new internal fitness effort this morning called “Ivy Tech On the Move”. The initiative provides faculty, staff, and students with health/wellness educational information, time to dedicate towards becoming more active, and even a chance to challenge each other within the workplace to become more physically fit. It aligns well with the recent opening of the new Student Life Center, which contains a fitness center for students and employees, and the smoke-free campus policy implemented in November 2009.

“Ivy Tech On the Move” has a few components:

1)      America On the Move partner: Ivy Tech–Northeast is now an official collaborating partner of America On the Move, a national non-profit organization with a mission to improve health and quality of life by promoting healthful eating and active living among individuals, families, communities, and society. AOM in Fort Wayne, under the direction of Marsha Worthington, helps coordinate events and provides many options and resources for staying active and eating. The America On the Move (AOM) partnership provides:

• Ways to track fitness progress
• Articles, daily tips, and expert advice on topics such as eating healthy, feeling better, getting active, managing weight, and being green in making healthy decisions.
• Indoor/outdoor exercise options
• Membership ID card
• Local restaurants offering healthier meals

2)      2-Hour Fitness Opportunity: Staff members are allotted two hours (of a 40-hour work week) each week to dedicate towards becoming more active by using available college facilities (indoor/outdoor) to exercise. The complete policy is at http://www.ivytech.edu/fortwayne/hr/fitness.html.

Students, faculty, and staff have been encouraged to join the college on the America On the Move Web site, gain access to health-conscious information, and track results towards becoming a healthier campus in 2010 and beyond.

“The college wants to do everything we can to help improve the daily lives of our students, faculty, and staff,” said Interim Chancellor Russell D. Baker. “Although budgets are tight right now, this initiative is a low-cost, high-impact strategy to show appreciation to our employees and encourage healthier lifestyles – all at the start of a new year when many individuals are setting goals for healthier eating and increased physical activity.”