Office of Human Resources

The Passport to Wellness—Background

The Office of Human Resources has made a consistent effort to offer wellness programming since June 2004. The unifying symbol for its programming is the Wellness Wheel, which depicts wellness as an interdependence between six areas of our lives: the physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, social/cultural, and life-long learning aspects of our beings. Programming offered through Human Resources provides employees with the means, or the passport, to attain wellness in their lives by offering workshops and training opportunities for each of the six areas of wellness. The Human Resources staff also collaborates with other departments on campus to fulfill dimensions of the Wheel. Partners include the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy, McKillop Library, Campus Ministry Office, the Sullivan Fitness Center, and the Office of Student Life. The logo depicted on the cover of this booklet was created by Salve Regina’s Design Services department to convey the essence of the Passport to Wellness program.

As the University’s focus on wellness became better defined, it decided to apply for a well workplace award through the Wellness Councils of America. Salve Regina University attained a bronze level workplace award in August 2005, joining twenty other Rhode Island companies who had attained that national recognition.

What does the award mean for the faculty and staff of Salve Regina? By working at an institution that has attained a well workplace designation, employees can be assured that their employer values their health. Specifically, it means that the Passport to Wellness program has the support of senior administration; is administered by a wellness committee that is comprised of participants from many departments on campus; and that the wellness programs offered are in response to aggregate health data and stated needs. As the mission of the Passport to Wellness states, “In keeping with the University mission, the Wellness Program seeks to provide Salve Regina employees with the knowledge, resources, opportunities and support they need to make more informed decisions regarding their health and well-being.”