Department of Student Wellness and Safety

Mission

The Student Wellness and Safety Department aims to ensure that every individual in the Carolina community feels safe and healthy where they live, work, and learn. This core mission is pursued through three key initiative areas: Community Health, Harm Reduction, and Safety and Violence Prevention. The department not only fosters the development of new projects but also seeks to support strategic collaborations and partnerships with existing organizations on campus to catalyze collective efforts and increase the effectiveness of ongoing work.

Current Projects

The Student Wellness and Safety Department works through its three initiative areas to develop forward-focused ideas, build strategic partnerships, and inform campus-wide policy. The thoughtfulness and intentionality of this approach is pursued in all projects led by the department.

Community Health Initiative

The Community Health Initiative is currently leading a campus-wide project to develop a comprehensive health, safety, and wellbeing assessment. This assessment will provide a framework for how organizations and groups across campus can best address the unique needs of students. In addition, the initiative is actively implementing mental health recommendations from the Student Success in STEM Task Force.

Harm Reduction Initiative

The Harm Reduction Initiative is spearheading several projects to expand access to Narcan and provide harm reduction education on campus. Having raised over $4,000, the initiative is now piloting a multi-phase program to establish Narcan distribution sites across campus. In parallel, the initiative is developing a website and interactive map to help students and community members learn about harm reduction and locate available resources.

Safety and Violence Prevention Initiative

The Safety and Violence Prevention Initiative is collaborating with student organizations and Greek life to broaden the reach of violence prevention training across campus. The initiative also partnered with local bars in Chapel Hill to distribute over 500 cup covers on Halloween and is working with professors and academic coaches to integrate safety and wellbeing education into the first-year Thrive curriculum.

Together, these initiatives strive to foster a safer, healthier, and more supportive campus environment for all students.