MyLU Insider

Would you like to take off a few pounds, but find it difficult to do on your own? Or just looking for some new ideas about how to eat healthier and be more active? Join us for “Happy and Healthy,” an informal weight management group here on campus. Open to faculty and staff, we meet each Tuesday at noon. Our next meeting takes place on Tuesday, September 17th in Room 414 (Runkel Conference Room) at Warch Campus Center.

Please contact RN educator Laurie Ehlers at 832-7498 or laurie.ehlers@lawrence.edu with any questions.

Save the date!

In our efforts to provide continued learning opportunities to Lawrence University Staff & Faculty, we will be rolling out a new compliance focused training under our Learning at Lawrence banner.  The Learning at Lawrence – Compliance training will occur annually and the intent is to cover all required and suggested training which currently occur sporadically throughout the year.

2018 Compliance Training Dates:

Tuesday, January 9 – 8:00am – 12:30pm

Wednesday, January 10 – 8:00am – 12:30pm

Thursday, January 11 – 12:00pm – 4:30pm

Please note that you are only required to attend one of the three training dates above.  Additional details will be sent as the date draws near.  Please contact Human Resources should you have any questions.

The following colleagues have been hired, rehired or have a new position within the last two weeks. If you see them on campus, please welcome them to Lawrence or congratulate them on their new position!

• Alice Sullivan, Visiting Assistant Professor of Art History (Art and Art History)
• Andrew Crooks, Assistant Professor of Music-Vocal Coach (Conservatory of Music)
• Annemarie Exarhos, Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics (Physics)
• Brandon Boelter, Assistant Men’s Ice Hockey Coach (Athletics)
• Cameron Nasatir, Communications Specialist (Admissions)
• Christopher Hawley, Visiting Professor of Physics (Physics)
• Daniel Erickson, Admissions Counselor (Admissions)
• David Duncombe, Visiting Assistant Professor of Government (Government)
• Daniel Schuchart, Instructor of Dance (Theatre Arts)
• Dylan Fitz, Assistant Professor of Economics (Economics)
• Elizabeth Kowal, Conservatory Tour and Outreach Coordinator (Conservatory of Music)
• Elliot Ratzman, Postdoctoral Fellow of Jewish Studies (Religious Studies)
• Evan Williams, Lecturer of Music (Conservatory of Music)
• Jarred Sherer, Technology Specialist (Information Technology Services)
• Jennifer Mielke, Administrative Assistant for Technology Services (Information Technology Services)
• Jesus Smith, Assistant Professor of Ethnic Studies (Ethnic Studies)
• John Holiday, Assistant Professor of Music – Voice (Conservatory of Music)
• Julia Wallace, Visiting Artist of Film Studies (Film Studies Program)
• Julie Rana, Assistant Professor of Mathematics (Mathematics)
• Kelsey Uherka, Quantitative Skills Specialist (Center for Academic Success)
• Meredith McFadden, Postdoctoral Fellow of Philosophy and Uihlein Fellow of Ethics (Philosophy)
• Michael Clayville, Visiting Assistant Professor of Music in Entrepreneurial Studies and Social Engagement (Conservatory of Music)
• Monica Rodero, Instructor of Dance (Theatre Arts)
• Patrick McCadden, Assistant Men’s Ice Hockey Coach and Assistant Athletic Performance Coach (Athletics)
• Rebecca Perry, Assistant Professor of Music-Music Theory (Conservatory of Music)
• Richard Miller, Lecturer of Music (Conservatory of Music)
• Sarah Clewett, Conservatory Admissions Counselor (Admissions)
• Sigma Colon, Hurvis NEH Fellow in the Humanities (Environmental Studies)
• Susan Kennedy, Lecturer of History (History)
• Yolanda Anderson, Health and Wellness Department Office Coordinator (Health and Wellness)

Get Off to a Healthy Start this School Year!

Summer really tends to fly by, doesn’t it? It seems like we were just winding down at the end of spring term, and here we are again – students are back, the weather is notably cooler, the trees are starting to change, and fall sports are in action. Personally, I love fall – and I know I’m not alone. But with fall, we often find that we now have less free time than we did these past 2-3 months.  The arrival of fall may mean new or greater responsibilities at work, a busier schedule at home, and that feeling like there’s just not enough time on the weekend. And this can leave you feeling a bit overwhelmed, and quite simply, stressed out.

As the fall season ramps up, don’t let those obligations at work and home derail the positive and healthy changes you may have made this summer when time was a little easier to come by. Here are some suggestions for keeping stress under control, and getting fall off to a healthy start:

Keep up your activity level. The shorter days may make it more challenging to get out and bike or kayak in the evenings, but make it a priority to stay as active as you can. Exercise is a great way to help manage stress and boost your confidence, not to mention how it positively impacts your general health and fitness. Take a walk with a co-worker over lunch or hit the Wellness Center to keep that activity level up.

Pack lunch and snacks from home. With the fresh fruits and vegetables in abundance in late summer, many of us find ourselves eating a little lighter this time of the year. Keep up the benefits of your healthier diet by prepping your lunch and some snacks the night before, so you don’t find yourself ordering delivery or snacking on chips and other convenience foods when you run short on time. Veggies and hummus, an apple with peanut butter, or even a piece of string cheese and a handful of nuts make for healthier snack options than most vending machines can provide.

Don’t short change yourself on sleep.  Aim for 8 hours a night. And watch your caffeine intake, especially later in the day.  I love coffee as much as the next person, but I’ve come to realize it’s not my friend after 3 pm if I want to get a decent night of sleep.

Get your flu shot this fall.  Help protect yourself, your family and coworkers, and the Lawrence community by doing what you can to prevent the spread of influenza this school year.

Meet with me to discuss the results of your PHA. First of all, make sure you sign up for the PHA’s (happening the last week of September and first week of October.)  A few days after your appointment, you’ll be able to complete the written portion on-line, and your results should be available nearly immediately afterwards.  I’ll be reaching out to folks whose lab results indicate elevated blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol or PSA levels. But please contact me if you have any questions about your results, or would like to discuss how you might make changes that can improve your overall health and wellness.

Here’s to a healthy year ahead for all of us! Please reach out to me if you need anything.

Laurie Ehlers, RN, CDE

Lawrence University – RN Educator

Room 102, Memorial Hall

Phone: 920-832-7498; Laurie.ehlers@lawrence.edu

Personal Health Assessment (PHA) Registration is Now Open!

What is a PHA?

The Personal Health Assessment is a tool that highlights how our lifestyle choices directly impact overall health. Two scores are provided:

• Your Lifestyle Rating is based on your self-reported daily habits related to nutrition, physical activity, alcohol consumption, stress and depression, and tobacco use.
• Your Biometric Score is based on tobacco use, Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar.

The Personal Health Assessment Report provides personalized feedback, tips to improve your lifestyle habits, and resources for more information.

Who is eligible to participate?

All staff and faculty are welcomed and encouraged to participate in the PHA process.  Participation is also encouraged for the following individuals covered under the Lawrence University medical plan: spouses/domestic partners of employees, retirees and spouses/domestic partners of retirees.

Note for Medical Plan Participants

Participation by employees, retirees covered under the medical plan, and spouses/domestic partners covered under the medical plan will provide the discounts to the medical plan premium.  All participants must complete both the biometric screening and the lifestyle questionnaire to receive the premium discount. The questionnaire can be completed 5 days after your biometric screening appointment.

How do I sign up?

Scheduling directions can be found in the attached 2017 PHA Instruction Sheet or click here to sign up:  https://www.thedacare.org/pha. The PHA schedule books quickly.  To ensure you receive your preferred appointment time, do not delay in scheduling your appointment.

What is the PHA schedule?

The PHA schedule is as follows:

Please contact your HR Representative if you have any questions regarding the PHA process including scheduling your assessment.