System Office Wellness

The System Office promotes a culture of wellness and encourages employees to incorporate healthy practices that contribute to their overall well-being. The areas of wellness encompass Emotional, Physical, Occupational, Social, Spiritual and Intellectual needs for a healthy life balance. Each university has wellness resources for employees and you are encouraged to utilize the resources at your university. The System Office will also have initiatives and programs specifically for system office employees. Check back often for updates, activities, and information to assist with your general health and well-being. 

Wellness Connection Newsletters

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UI Stride

UI Stride is designed to encourage employees of University of Illinois System Office departments and units to get active and fit, connect with their System colleagues, and be part of an inclusive and vital community. This self-paced challenge is a fun, easy way to engage in friendly competition with other departments.

Read more on the UI Stride page!

Volunteering

The System Office Wellness Committee sent out a survey in December 2019 to gauge how system office employees volunteer and what activities they participate in, or would be interested in participating. Click here to see the survey results.

Find more information about volunteer opportunities on the Volunteer page!

Wellness Resources at each University

• Recreation and Wellness Programs
• Employee Assistance Programs
• FY2020 Free Wellness Offerings

Wellness Resources in the Community

• Urbana Park District
• Champaign Park District
• Springfield Park District
• Chicago Park District

More Wellness Resources

Higi Wellness Stations

A Higi Wellness Station is now available at each of the universities. This is made available to all faculty and staff by the State of Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) in partnership with Aetna. View the Higi poster for instructions on use. It's available to everyone regardless of health plan provider, and is free of charge.

Higi Wellness Station Locations
Urbana - Illini Union, first floor east hallway, located at 1401 West Green Street.
Springfield - The Recreation and Athletic Center (TRAC) lobby located at One University Plaza.
Chicago - Student Recreation Facility located at 737 South Halsted (east campus) and Clinical Sciences North Building, room 115 located at 840 South Wood Street (west campus).
Rockford - University of Illinois at Chicago Health Sciences cafeteria located at 1601 Parkview Avenue, Rockford.

What is a Higi Wellness Station?

A Higi Wellness Station allows you to measure important wellness indicators and track them if you wish.

• Measure your body stats that are important to your health such as, blood pressure, pulse, weight, and body mass index.
• You can use the optional Higi app to track your biometrics and access your numbers anywhere.

Is the Higi Wellness Station private and secure?

The following information is provided by CMS and Aetna.

• Health stats and information are provided only via a privacy screen.
• The University, Aetna and the State of Illinois do not have access to any personal identifiable Higi information or test results.
• The State of Illinois IT services has audited the machines for security of employee information.

General information about Higi Wellness Stations can be found at https://higi.com/.

Eat. Move. Save.

The University of Illinois Extension's Eat. Move. Save. website includes tips for eating well, staying active, and improving your saving habits.

Magellan Ascend

Employees eligible for State (SEGIP) benefits can use Magellan Ascend for a variety of services, including the LifeCare Resource Center, self-care programs, coaching and counseling, legal assistance, smoking cessation, and a broad discount program. To get started, visit the Magellan Ascend website and select Log In. If this is your first time logging in, select Sign Up and complete registration using State of Illinois Employee Assistance Program as the Company Name.

Physical Wellness Resources

• CMS Wellness Program

Financial Wellness Resources

• UI Extension - Plan Well, Retire Well
• America Saves Week
• National Retirement Security Week
• Fidelity Financial Wellness Webcasts
• TIAA Live Webinars

Other Resources

• System Office Wellness Survey (September 2019)
• Kick-Off Event - Urbana-Champaign (Remarks by Avijit Ghosh, Barb Wilson)
• Kick-Off Event - Chicago (Remarks by Ed Seidel)

• Gallery of System Office Wellness Activities and Ideas

  • Desk stretches
  • Mid-day walks
  • Walking meetings
  • Group fitness classes through Campus Rec
  • Mindfulness and Meditation
  • Monthly chair massages (paid for by employee)
  • Departmental farmer's market or "crop swap" for employee's surplus garden items
  • Infused Water Wednesdays - big pitcher filled with fruit
  • Outdoor work station with amenities and electricity
  • Bowling league over the lunch hour
  • Standing desks for employees (departmental approval required)
  • 3K Run/Walk
  • Employee Appreciation Day Celebration – healthy snacks, theme based with kick-off breakfast
  • Flu shots (on-site)

• Wellness Committee Members

  • Jackie Billhymer, System HR
  • Marissa Brewer, Governmental Relations
  • Joy Brownridge, System HR
  • Laura Clower, President's Office
  • Leana Coffey, AITS
  • Marcy Frerichs, OBFS SAVP
  • Lorraine Graham, VPAA
  • Dana Librot, AVP Business & Finance UIC
  • Geri Melchiorre, Treasury
  • Ruth Mitchell, University Audits
  • Joda Morton, Enterprise Risk Management
  • Jill Odom, CFO
  • Julian Parrott, UAPS
  • Andrea Pellegrini, USFSCO
  • Rhonda Perry, University Counsel
  • Ben Sands, Planning & Budgeting
  • Lydia Schillinger, University Counsel UIS
  • Ben Taylor, VPEDI
  • Christina Worthington, AITS
  • Kim Wright, OTM UIC
  • Seth Yoder, Business Solutions & Support