Kayley Rapp, Campus Carrier deputy news editor

After a three year hiatus, Berry’s Health and Wellness Committee restarted this month. 

“Right now Berry College is at this really nice place to get this committee going again, with the campus going tobacco free and with the revision with the sexual misconduct policy,” Lindsey Taylor, assistant vice president for student affairs, said. “With all these conversations going on, it’s a natural time to say ‘it’s time for this committee to be kickstarted again.’” 

Starting next week, the Health and Wellness Committee will start having regular meetings again. Committee members include many appointed faculty members such as Anita Errickson, director of the Health and Wellness Center, and Michael McElveen, director of recreation, as well as many appointed students. In meetings, members will discuss the general welfare of not only students, but faculty and staff members as well. 

“My hope will be representing a broad scope of campus,” Taylor said. “We’ll be able to lay it out and say ‘what are we missing? What does Berry need to be doing?’”

The committee hopes to cover everything from maintaining Berry’s substance free policy to sexual assault education and prevention. Taylor said the sexual misconduct policy and bystander education would be covered heavily in light of recent policy changes. 

Members also hope to alert the campus to the resources available for those with substance abuse problems. Now that Berry is tobacco-free, resources for people trying to stop smoking have become available. McElveen and the Peer Educators offer cessation services and supplies.

Alongside substance abuse and sexual misconduct, the Health and Wellness Committee will continue to cover a variety of issues around campus. 

“We’re here to make sure all pockets of our community are taken care of,” Taylor said.