Academic success and student health go hand in hand

Tulane University Campus Health hosted a Healthy Campus Summit Monday where nearly 150 members of the Tulane Community participated in discussions about the intersection of academic success and student health, alcohol culture, gender equity and student leadership.

M. Scott Tims, assistant vice president of Campus Health, presented data that painted a clear picture of the health of Tulane’s undergraduate student population.

“It’s both exciting and encouraging that Tulane is acknowledging and making efforts to address these health issues for the benefit of our students,” said Tims. “I’m hopeful this summit will lead to broader conversations about how health is an issue that every department on campus must address. The health of our students is intrinsically linked to their ability to succeed academically.”

During the keynote address presented by Luoluo Hong, vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at San Francisco State University, Hong described the need for continued health promotion efforts and identified the need to develop and sustain cross-campus alliances to increase student access, success, retention and graduation.

“Addressing the health of the individual is not enough to impact the health of our community,” said Maeghan Livaccari, Campus Health clinic manager. “The Tulane community must determine how to contribute to an environment that supports the whole student.”

The free, one-day summit, held on the uptown campus, also featured a student organization resource fair and breakout sessions.

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