Our Common Agenda for Well-being

A collaborative effort focused on making U-M a better place to live, work and learn for our students, faculty and staff by implementing a systemwide approach to supporting well-being across our campus.

Our Common Agenda

A text-based version of the agenda is below.

Our Common Agenda for Well-being

Our Purpose

Support the well-being of our people, places and planet within all policies and systems within the U-M Community.

Well-being Action Areas

  • Coordinate efforts to promote the holistic well-being of the Ann Arbor campus and Michigan Medicine ecosystem.
  • Examine each dimension of the Model of Well-being in order to create conditions where individuals and communities can flourish.
  • Integrate well-being into university policy decisions and practices within divisions, departments, units and organizations.
  • Design, evaluate and share key performance metrics that reflect the university’s values and priorities for well-being; engage in ongoing indicator assessments and adjust as needed.

Rationale

By prioritizing the holistic well-being of students, staff and faculty, we aim to cultivate environments that foster personal growth, resilience and fulfillment, as well as academic and professional development. This approach acknowledges that a healthy and supported community is essential for individuals to reach their full potential. Integrating well-being holistically into institutional policies and systems reflects our adoption of the Okanagan Charter and advances the mission of our university.

A comprehensive evidence-based and data-informed strategy guides well-being initiatives and monitors progress. Shared and transparent measures and key performance metrics will ensure that systemwide partners are working toward the same goals and remaining accountable to our Common Agenda for Well-being.

Blueprint to Advance  the Common Agenda for Well-being

Equity & Access

Amplify a culture of well-being by adapting to our community’s needs, and encouraging innovative approaches through inclusive engagement.

  • Increase access to well-being resources available to faculty, staff and students by reducing barriers to these services and expanding their visibility.
  • Invest in the holistic development of people throughout the institution in order to develop and sustain positive academic, social and workplace cultures.
  • Create the conditions where the U-M community can feel a sense of belonging and empowerment and have equitable opportunities for growth, success and thriving.
  • Develop intentional partnerships across the Presidential Initiatives and Focus Areas to work toward our common commitments.

Ensuring the inclusivity of all members of the community is imperative for fostering a sense of belonging and equity. Ultimately, by valuing and embracing diverse lived experiences, we cultivate a healthy community where every member feels respected, valued and empowered to thrive.

Process & Resources

Put in place support for system-level change, to be sustained with necessary resources, infrastructure and transparency.

  • Sustain a dedicated infrastructure for continual improvement and advancement of the Common Agenda for Well-being.
  • Amplify complementary initiatives to support alignment across the university.
  • Set key performance indicators that measure the Well-being Action Areas and share our well-being metrics, strategies and aspirations throughout the U-M community.

The commitment to well-being is an ecosystem responsibility that requires support and resources with the power to enact meaningful change. System-level goals are aligned with the vision outlined in the Okanagan Charter, with opportunities for ongoing monitoring, feedback and refinement of initiatives. By amplifying complementary initiatives, U-M can support alignment across various areas, fostering a cohesive approach toward achieving metrics and addressing complex challenges in a holistic manner.

Data-informed Strategy

Use data to inform our strategy, evaluate progress toward metrics and engage in continuous improvement.

  • Define shared measures for data collection across staff, faculty, and student communities with an emphasis on elevating and including voices not often heard.
  • Share results broadly across the U-M community in order to build trust, maintain transparency and promote community engagement.

A comprehensive data-informed strategy provides vital information to guide well-being initiatives and monitor progress. Analysis of current data sources offers a fuller understanding of the needs of faculty, staff and students while identifying areas for further exploration and inquiry. Shared measures and key performance metrics will ensure that systemwide partners are working toward the same goals and remain accountable to the vision for well-being. Maintaining transparency around collective goals and strategies builds trust and cultivates a sense of community and participation, empowering faculty, staff and students to authentically grow and develop.

What Happens Next?

Key Performance Indicators

Key Performance Indicators are the quantifiable indicators of Common Agenda progress. They provide shared measurements and include setting targets and tracking progress against those targets.

Key Performance Indicators Group

Data, research and assessment experts from Academic Affairs, Student Life and Human Resources are working with the Steering Committee to establish the Common Agenda Key Performance Indicators.

Establish Action Teams

Action teams will be established to advance the Common Agenda over Spring/Summer 2024. Stay tuned for involvement opportunities!