Sponsored by the Center for Wellness Promotion and produced by Student Niner Media
At a Glance
To find out more about any of the great services mentioned below, flip to their page and read on!
The Health and Wellness Guide is sponsored by the Center for Wellness Promotion and produced by Student Niner Media.
NINERS SEEK HELP
Have you ever found yourself in an alcohol or drug medical emergency and you weren’t sure what to do? Maybe you wanted to call for help but didn’t want to get in trouble? To learn more about how the UNC Charlotte Help Seeking Protocol could save your life or a friend’s life, continue reading.
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YOUR STUDENT HEALTH PHARMACY
Need to make a pharmacy trip? Look no further than the Student Health Center Pharmacy. Continue reading to learn about affordable prescriptions and over-the-counter medications available to students plus some quick tips from your pharmacist!
BREAKING UP WITH TOBACCO
Are you a current smoker or tobacco user and would like to quit? The Center for Wellness Promotion at UNC Charlotte offers free tobacco cessation assistance to all part time and full time students. Continue reading to learn how to schedule an appointment with a Tobacco Treatment Specialist on campus.
TIME 2 CHANGE PROGRAM
The Time 2 Change Program is a free program that offers students a hand in their journey to a healthy lifestyle by reaching a healthy weight goal. Students with a BMI (body mass index) of 30 or higher can apply for a 10 week program that features a fitness assessment, personal training, and group educational sessions. Continue reading to learn more about the application process.
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SERVICE ANIMALS ARE ON THE JOB
If you’re an animal lover, it may be tempting to approach and show attention to a service dog the same way you would someone’s pet -- but did you know there is proper etiquette on how to interact with these animals? Continue reading for helpful tips on what to do when you see a service animal on campus.
EATING RIGHT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE COMPLICATED
Thinking about losing weight? Or maybe just making healthier food choices? Take advantage of a free consultation with Katie Powers, UNC Charlotte’s on campus registered dietitian. Continue reading for recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and learn what Katie Powers can do for you.
GOT RECOVERY?
Are you, or someone you care about, in recovery or facing challenges with alcohol or other drugs? The Collegiate Recovery Center (CRC) at UNC Charlotte helps students navigate their collegiate experience while also managing their long-term recovery.
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FINDING YOUR RESILIENCE
Today’s college student is typically balancing a lot more than academic demands, and the need for resilience can be imperative for a successful collegiate experience. A person’s resilience factor begins with their perspective and attitude and can be nurtured through self-care and social connections. For a “how to” on tapping into your own natural resilience, continue reading.
BELK GYM: CELEBRATING ONE YEAR
As a new student you may be wondering what your options are for fitness on campus. UNC Charlotte is celebrating the first anniversary of the newly renovated Belk Gym. Continue reading and learn more about what Belk has to offer, including group fitness and personal training!
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NINERS SEEK HELP Breaking down the Help Seeking Protocol
INFORMATION PROVIDED BY: Office of Student Conduct
As a student, have you ever found yourself in a situation where you thought a friend or peer might need medical attention due to substance use? Maybe you weren’t sure how serious the situation was. Maybe you were concerned about potential consequence that would occur as a result of calling for help. Weighing the costs and benefits to seeking help for someone in need can be challenging, especially to those students who are under the age of 21 or in possession of illegal drugs. That’s where the Help Seeking Protocol comes in. HELP SEEKING PROTOCOL FAQ What is the Help Seeking Protocol? The Help Seeking Protocol (HSP) is designed to provide an opportunity for students under the age of 21 to seek or receive help in an emergency when he/she has consumed or is in possession of alcohol or drugs without the fear of being subjected to the student conduct process. When does the HSP apply? HSP applies when students pro-actively seek assistance from emergency personnel or University Officials (such as police or RAs) on behalf of themselves or another student. The help-seeking student must also remain present at the scene until emergency personnel or University officials arrive. Who does the HSP apply to? HSP will apply to the help-seeking student as well as the student in need of assistance. Does the HSP apply in non-overdose
situations? Yes. Students who may have violated University policy regarding the possession, consumption, or use of alcohol and/or drugs during a time in which they were victims of a crime, such as sexual misconduct, relationship violence, stalking, assault, theft, or vandalism, can also utilize the Help Seeking Protocol. This will allow students who wish to file a report or be connected to medical care or support resources to do so without facing student conduct repercussions. What about conduct procedures? What happens to students who utilize the HSP? Students who initiate and utilize the HSP will not be subject to the standard student conduct process through the Office of Student Conduct. Instead, said students will be provided the opportunity to participate in a recommended action plan. This may include a referral to the Center for Wellness Promotion or another campus resource in order to have a deeper conversation about what led to the incident, help prevent a similar incident from happening again in the future, or if the behavior is becoming a pattern, discuss additional information. If the student was a victim of a crime at the time he/ she initiated the HSP, every effort will be made to connect that student to additional support resources, should he/she desire them. Where can I learn more about the HSP? Read the full policy by visiting helpseeking. uncc.edu. Use the hashtag #ninersseekhelp to spread the word through social media!
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YOUR STUDENT HEALTH PHARMACY Navigating over the counter medications
INFORMATION PROVIDED BY: The Student Health Center
For most, over-the-counter medications are accessible and effective for treating the most common and frequent illnesses. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are available without a prescription and are available for purchase in many retail outlets including your Student Health Center (SHC) Pharmacy. OTCs are used to treat conditions like colds, headaches, body pain, allergies, heartburn, minor skin
conditions and itching. When using an OTC medication it is important to always follow the dosing directions provided on the label. While many people can take most OTC medications safely, it is important to inform your medical provider of all medications that you take. For people who already take prescription medications, it is always important to check with your healthcare provider or your pharmacist
Photo courtesy of Creative Market
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before taking any additional medications or supplements. It is important to avoid mixing medications (prescription and non-prescription) that could cause your prescription medication not to work as effectively, or worse cause potential harm to your health. It is also important to note that some OTCs sold as one remedy consist of several medications. This is especially true for OTC’s used to treat coughs, colds, and flu sold for
relief of multiple symptoms. Reading the labels of all medication is important to ensure you are not unintentionally putting your health at risk. One key medication ingredient to note in many OTC medications is acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is found in over 600 OTC medications and some prescription medications as well. Taking 4,000 mg in one day is considered an overdose and may cause serious liver damage. Steps to take to avoid unintentional overdose include 1) always read and follow the medication label, 2) know if your medication contains acetaminophen, 3) take only one medication at a time that contains acetaminophen, 4) ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions about your medications and how to take your medications. Acetaminophen is an effective pain reliever and fever reducer so many people have it in their medicine cabinet. Following the simple steps listed can afford the effectiveness of a commonly used OTC medication while avoiding potential negative effects. Over-the-counter medications are effective, affordable and highly accessible. Your Student Health Center (SHC) Pharmacy carries many common over the counter medications. Students also have the benefit of consulting with a pharmacist any time the Pharmacy is open. Having highly experienced pharmacists available for consult can help avoid negative interactions of medications. Consulting with a pharmacist about what choice of OTC medication may be best depending on your symptoms is also a great resource for those who are unsure of which OTC to choose. Along with filling prescriptions for the students at UNC Charlotte, the SHC Pharmacy offers a wide variety of OTC medications. These medications are conveniently offered at affordable prices. A list of available OTC medications and prices is available at the Student Health Center website at www.studenthealth.uncc.edu. Check out the Pharmacy tab to learn more about all the services available. The SHC Pharmacy is open throughout the academic year, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Summer hours adjust to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The SHC Pharmacy is located on the upper level of the Student Health Center. The Student Health Center is located on the corner of Mary Alexander Rd and Cameron Boulevard (campus map #65).
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BREAKING UP WITH TOBACCO INFORMATION PROVIDED BY: The Center for Wellness Promotion
According to the most recent data from the National College Health Assessment, approximately 10% of UNC Charlotte students are cigarette smokers. While cigarette smoking trends continue to drop each year (down from 18% in 2009), other forms of tobacco use, including e-cigarettes, hookah, and chewing tobacco, also remain prevalent on UNC Charlotte’s campus. We know that approximately 90% of smokers begin before the age of 18, which means that most students who smoke are already addicted before they arrive on our campus as freshmen. This also means that by this point, our prevention efforts will be too late for most of these students. Since former North Carolina Governor, Beverly Perdue, signed the indoor smoking ban in 2009, our state is beginning
to see more and more smoking policies implemented in both public and private sectors. Even here at UNC Charlotte, smoking is not permitted in most parts of campus except in locations that are designated as smoking areas. These policies are put in place to protect the health of the general public and to remove the hazard of second hand smoke – and while these policies tend to do much good for our non-smoking community, we must also ask what we are doing for our smoking community? It’s important to take it a step further and think about our current smokers, many of whom do not necessarily want to be smokers, but struggle with quitting on their own. The Center for Wellness promotion offers FREE Tobacco Cessation services to all UNC Charlotte students in need of
Photo by Kent D. Johnson Photo courtesy of Tribune News Service
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Deirdre Feeney | 704.687.0813 Photo by Leysha Caraballo
support for quitting smoking or other tobacco products. The program is implemented through a series of one-on-one sessions with Deirdre Feeney, a certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist, and is designed to assist the student through his/ her quit-journey. During the initial 1-hour intake, students will complete a tobacco assessment and have the opportunity to talk with Deirdre about their goals. Deirdre can help students identify potential barriers and challenges they may face as well as a plan of action on how to confront these barriers and reach their goal. All sessions are individualized and client centered based on the specific needs of each student. To schedule your free consultative appointment, contact Deirdre Feeney at 704-687-0813 or email her at dfeeney3@uncc.edu.
Photo by Isa Knapp
Time 2 Change Program INFORMATION PROVIDED BY: Recreational Services
trainers will educate their clients on proper form and program design so that clients can gain confidence in the gym and build their own workout programs after Time 2 Change is over. To apply: Please fill out the online application at recservices.uncc.edu. Contact Elizabeth Bowen, Assistant Director of Fitness or email ptrainer@uncc.edu with any questions.
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The Time 2 Change program helped me gain confidence in myself and motivated me to live a healthier lifestyle. My trainer motivated me and pushed me to limits I thought I could not reach. More importantly, my trainer and the educational instructors were right by my side when I felt like giving up and encouraged me not to. This program showed my strengths and helped me reach my goals! – Alaina, Spring 2016 participant
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 5.2 million college students are obese. Time 2 Change is a free program offered at UNC Charlotte that is designed for students to help them jumpstart a healthy lifestyle and combat obesity. The program is geared towards helping participants lose weight, reduce body fat, increase confidence in achieving personal health goals, and give participants the knowledge and tools to continue a fitness regime on their own and to improve overall quality of life. The program features free fitness assessments, personal training and group educational sessions discussing topics such as nutrition, positive body image and stress management to name a few. Participants are also encouraged to make appointments with the registered dietitian on campus and the counseling center if they so desire. For students to be eligible for the program they must have a BMI of 30 or higher. Participants must be willing to work hard and stay committed throughout the program (10 weeks). Nationally certified personal trainers lead individual personal training sessions and participants will remain with the same trainer throughout the program. The personal
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Service animals are on the job INFORMATION PROVIDED BY: The Office of Disability Services
So, Did You Know? What do a dog and a miniature horse have in common? Aside from fur and four legs, they could both potentially be used as service animals. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a “service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability.” This definition was later expanded to include miniature horses which are considered sturdier and typically have a longer life-span. The most important take away from this description is that a service animal is on the job and is not a pet! As the student population on campus increases so may the number of service animals. We’d like to share some helpful tips so that you know how to interact with these four-legged
furry “workers” and their handlers.
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No Distractions Please! While the service animal might seem cute or remind you of your grandmother’s puppy named Spanky, it is never appropriate to distract the animal from its task by yelling, talking, petting, offering food, requesting demonstrations, or any other action that purposely tries to gain the animal’s attention. This animal is trained to do a specific task, and interference can jeopardize the safety of its handler. It is best to politely ignore the animal.
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Yes, S/He Can Be Here! Service animals are legally allowed to go places where their handlers are—and this includes places that you might consider inappropriate for animals, such as restaurants
Photo by Chris Adams Photo courtesy of Tribune News Service
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or hospitals, because of germs. However, it can be there as long as the service animal is under control. This means the animal is: “harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.”
3. No Paparazzi! I know we like to capture life’s interesting moments and post them on our social media sites with cute hashtags that will trend for days…or maybe hours. But, it is completely unacceptable to photograph or video record service animals or their handlers and especially without permission. Remember to always communicate with the handler and not the service animal even when offering a greeting.
4. This is Not a Play Date! While you may be on campus with your cute little Chihuahua enjoying the fabulous
greenways offered, it is not recreational time for a service animal. Please keep your pet away from the working animal.
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Timing is Everything! Some disabilities are not visible or immediately recognizable although a harnessed animal might be. Regardless of how interested you may be in learning more, it is important to understand that seeing a service animal is not a solicitation to ask the handler about their disability. That’s private. Learn more about service animals at UNC Charlotte: http://legal.uncc.edu/policies/up-704 The Office of Disability Services is located in 230 Fretwell. Our mission is to ensure that students with disabilities have access to education and campus life at UNC Charlotte. For more information about our services and accommodations please call us at 704-687-0040 or email us at disability@uncc.edu.
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eating right doesn’t have to be complicated INFORMATION PROVIDED BY: The Student Health Center
College students face many challenges when it comes to eating right and staying healthy. Often, for the first time, you are making your own decisions about what you eat. From a limited budget to easy access to fast food and unhealthy snacks, it can seem overwhelming to try to eat right. But this is also a great time to start establishing eating habits that can improve your health over your lifetime. Following these recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans can help you shift to healthier food and beverage choices.
vegetables. Vary protein choices with more fish, beans and peas. Eat at least 3 ounces of whole grain products such as whole grain cereals, breads, crackers rice or pasta every day.
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NEED MORE HELP? UNC Charlotte Registered Dietitian, Katie Powers is available in the Student Health Center to help students develop healthy eating habits that can provide a foundation for improved health and academic success. This is a FREE service for UNC Charlotte students. Appointments can be made with Katie by calling the Student Health Center at 704-687-7400. To contact her directly, call 704-687-7382 or email mkpowers@uncc.edu.
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Emphasize fruit, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat or fat-free milk and milk products Include lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts Make sure your diet is low in saturated fats, trans fats, salt and added sugars
KNOW YOUR FATS Look for foods low in saturated fat and trans fat to help prevent heart disease. Most (at least 2/3) of the fat that you eat should come from monounsaturated and polyunsaturated sources. The Food Label can help you determine what type of fat is in a food product.
MAKE YOUR CALORIES COUNT Think nutrient rich rather than “good” or “bad” foods. The majority of your food choices should be packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients. Making healthier food choices can help you stay healthy and manage your weight. FOCUS ON VARIETY Eat a variety of foods from all the food groups to get the nutrients your body needs. Choose a variety of colors including dark green, orange, yellow and red when eating fruits and 14
WHAT CAN KATIE POWERS DO FOR YOU? Provide Medical Nutrition Therapy. The treatment of many chronic and acute diseases can be optimized by including Nutrition Education to help manage disease. Your RD can provide this Medical Nutrition Therapy for help in meal planning and food choices.
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Help with navigating food allergies, sensitivities and intolerances. When you suffer from conditions such as celiac disease, food allergies or lactose intolerance, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by what you think you can’t eat. That can translate into a boring diet and may even lead to nutrient deficiencies. Your RD can teach you how to read food labels so you’ll know which ingredients to avoid and a help you find substitutions to keep your diet balanced and tasty, too. Coordinate a weight loss program that really works. Fad diets may sound like the quick ticket to weight loss, but they rarely work for very long. Your RD will partner with you to develop a safe, effective weight loss plan that you can stick with for the long haul. Help you eat right on and off campus. Your RD can help you learn how to plan and prepare healthy meals and snacks to meet your individual nutrition goals as well as the recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Learn how to read food labels, grocery shop, develop meal plans and much more by visiting your Registered Dietitian.
Katie Powers | 704.687.7382 Photo by Pooja Pasupula
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GOT RECOVERY? INFORMATION PROVIDED BY: The Center for Wellness Promotion
With the new freedoms, opportunities, and more limited structure and supervision that can be part of college life, the transition to college can be both exciting and challenging for many students. This is especially true for students in recovery from addictive disorders, where a college campus might prove to be a recovery-hostile environment. In order to provide continuing support to students in recovery from alcohol and other drugs, the CRC was created to provide a nurturing, affirming environment in which students recovering from addictive disorders can successfully pursue academic, personal and professional goals for the purpose of enhancing their quality of life and becoming productive members of society. The CRC also provides services to students seeking consultation about their substance use in order to provide them with options on treatment and other forms of assistance. The CRC offers a wide range of programs, services, and resources that serve as a pathway to sobriety, academic achievement, and success for 16
students who join the program. Resources for members include a dedicated lounge space for members, recovery support staff, scholarship opportunities, recovery-related meetings, assistance in finding sober housing, and a wide range of social and education opportunities and events. The CRC has made a difference in the lives of many students since its start in 2011. From a recent survey, CRC members shared that participation in the program had a strong impact on their academic success and in maintaining their recovery, as well feeling better about Photo courtesy of the Center for Wellness Promotion
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themselves and experiencing a stronger connection to the campus community. A recentlygraduate and CRC member had this to say about the CRC: “It has given me opportunities to be of service to new and incoming students and find a purpose in the bigger picture of recovery…as well as new friendships that I would have otherwise never found.” To learn more about the CRC or to submit an application for membership, please visit the website at www.wellness. uncc.edu (click the “Collegiate Recovery Community” tab at the top of the page) or call 704-687-5884.
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FINDING YOUR RESILIENCE WITHIN INFORMATION PROVIDED BY: The Counseling Center
Today’s college student is typically balancing a lot more than academic demands. It’s not uncommon for students to be working while in school, participating in or taking on leadership roles within campus student organizations, and becoming involved in community issues and groups. In addition to these responsibilities, many students are transitioning toward increased independence during their college years, including
taking on more responsibility for organizing various aspects of their lives such as time management and financial matters. They are meeting new people, many of whom different from themselves, and are having to learn to navigate and negotiate these new relationships. With all of these responsibilities and areas of focus, the need for cultivating and enhancing resilience in our students is paramount. Higher levels of resilience have
Photo by Lesha Caraballo
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been shown to produce greater academic success and increase overall well-being. It takes a certain level of resilience for students to make it to college. Not all people are able to attain this level of success. Therefore, it’s important for students to recognize the resilience they already possess. In order to build upon this, students can focus on a number of factors that can grow and enhance the level of resilience they already possess. One of the primary resilience factors is a person’s perspective or attitude. Our minds have a tendency to fixate on the negative aspects of a challenging situation, which makes it important to learn to appreciate multiple sides of a situation, including its positive aspects. Additionally, research has demonstrated the positive effects of gratitude on enhancing a person’s perspective. For instance, it is common for students to experience varying degrees of homesickness when away at college and gratitude can assist in managing these feelings by allowing students to reflect upon the positive things in
their lives (e.g. pets, family members, friends, as well as their new opportunities) and connect with their appreciation for them. Another resilience factor is self-care. The mind/body connection is important to understand. Taking care of one’s body can lead to a healthier mind. Healthy eating habits, sleep and hygiene are extremely important for students. Additionally, it is encouraged that students engage in some type of physical activity on a consistent basis. Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals, such as endorphins, that can improve mood and help a person feel more relaxed. Finally, it is important for students to develop social connections while at college. Social connections foster a sense of support and even release oxytocin and dopamine in the brain which can improve
your mood. The amount of connections is not important, but the quality of those connections is. It is important for students to surround themselves with resilient role models and to connect with resources on campus. One resource available to students is the Counseling Center. At the Counseling Center, we are dedicated to helping students tap into their inner strengths and skills to cultivate this resilience. Our mission is to support the academic, personal, and interpersonal development of UNC Charlotte students by providing individual and group counseling, consultation for parents and students, and educational programs to the campus community. It is not uncommon for students to struggle at times while in college, and students come to us with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties,
academic struggles, and identity exploration. All enrolled students are eligible for an initial consultation with a counselor, during which time a staff member will assess the student’s concerns and work with the student to develop a plan to best address them. Our services are free and confidential. Students who are interested may call us (704-687-0311) or come by in person (158 Atkins) to schedule an appointment. We also offer services for students in immediate crisis. Students can again access crisis services by calling or walking in during office hours. Information about after-hours crisis services and much more can be found on our website at counselingcenter. uncc.edu. We also encourage you to like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
The Counseling Center is located in Belk Plaza. Photo by Leysha Caraballo
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BELK GYM
CELEBRATING A YEAR IN A NEW FACILITY WITH NEW PROGRAMS
INFORMATION PROVIDED BY: Recreational Services
BELK FITNESS CENTER The Belk Fitness Center now provides patrons with a free Fitness Orientation. The orientation provides participants with experienced and knowledgeable Fitness Assistants that will answer any questions about exercising and the facility, and help participants uphold the facility rules. A Fitness Assistant will also help with instruction on how to properly use all equipment and provide spotting for free weights. GROUP FITNESS UNC Charlotte offers the most up-to-date group fitness classes. All group fitness classes are taught by nationally certified instructors, and are designed to provide participants with a safe, effective, and fun workout. All classes are held between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Group Fitness does not discriminate by age, gender, or fitness level; everyone is welcome to attend. Everyone is encouraged to try a group fitness class, especially if they need the extra motivation of great music and a wonderful instructor to workout. Photo by Chris Crews
With the one-year anniversary of the grand reopening of Belk Gym, Recreational Services is offering some great new programs as well as superb pre-existing ones for student, faculty and staff. All you have to do is remember your UNC Charlotte I.D.! BELK GYM Belk Gym offers over 8,000 square feet of dedicated fitness space. This includes a fitness center, group fitness studio, cycling studio, pool and basketball courts. 20
PERSONAL TRAINING Need Motivation? Hire a Personal Trainer and GET MOVING!!! Nationally certified personal trainers are ready to lead patrons on their path to fitness! With an exercise plan tailored specifically to your needs, you are sure to meet your exercise goals. We offer a variety of packages to accommodate your needs as well as your budget. STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER (SAC) The SAC houses additional courts, an indoor track, a climbing wall, a fitness center as well as a group fitness room.
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