September 25, 2020
As part of a campus-wide effort to provide a safe and healthy learning environment, Oakland University has launched the Grizzly Health Squad. The student-driven initiative promotes adherence to “Grizzlies Protect Grizzlies: Healthy Together,” the honor pledge in which OU community members promise to help curb the spread of coronavirus by wearing a face covering, social distancing and maintaining good hygiene.
“When the health pledge and safety procedures to re-open the campus were formulated by the Emergency Response Team, it was evident that student engagement is critical to have campus buy-in and compliance,” said Aura Cazares, assistant dean of students. “The Grizzly Health Squad idea came to fruition as a way to incentivize compliance and redirect students not adhering to the health pledge.”
Squad members walk around campus looking to recognize students who are complying with the health pledge, while reminding those not in compliance of the need to protect public health. Students in compliance may receive OU merchandise. If a student is not following guidelines, squad members assess the potential reason, Cazares explained.
“For example, squad members will provide a mask in case the noncompliance is due to forgetting their mask or not having a mask,” she said. “They will also remind students of social distancing guidelines.”
To perform their roles effectively, squad members are provided training from OU staff on various topics including unconscious bias and de-escalation. OU student Jorge Isunza said he joined the Grizzly Health Squad because college campuses are especially vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19. Fortunately, his job has been relatively easy so far with most campus community members following the pledge.
“From what I have seen, 99 percent of students wear their masks properly,” he said. “Those who do not just need a reminder and they wear them properly.”
Squad member Salina Rice added, “I think this initiative is very important because when the idea of wearing a mask and social distancing comes from your peers, it makes you more susceptible to hearing what has to be done versus it coming from an authority figure.”
The Grizzly Health Squad is made up of students from various majors and class standings. They are Tara Apostolovski, Christian Clemans, Lydia Danks, Allyssa Farley, Jorge Isunza, Gwyneth Labine, Nancy Plascencia-Alvizo, Salina Rice, Gianna Sciortino and Cassandra Zeski.
For more about the Grizzly Health Squad, visit campuslabs.com/engage/organization/ghs.