Developing a functional committee may be the most important step in launching Exercise is Medicine on Campus at your institution. The doors are opened to endless opportunities and resources when a committee is developed. Exercise is Medicine on Campus is really about bringing all of the campus resources together in one cohesive unit to reach as many faculty, staff, and students as possible. Below is a list of potential committee members you may want to include. Each school is different, so it is important to develop a committee that works for your school. Think of the departments that are present, and seek out individuals who have a passion for health and fitness.

Potential committee members include those from the departments below:

• Human Resources
• Provost
• President’s Office
• Student Affairs
• Campus Recreation
• Kinesiology Department
• On Campus Health Center
• Information Technology

While funding does help with program development, keep in mind that it is NOT always necessary. Exercise is Medicine on Campus programing can be developed through creativity and passion. If prizes are absolutely necessary for your program seek out various departments on campus or businesses around the community, and ask for donations. An example of a prize that requires no cost could be a few months of free personal training sessions from a Kinesiology student. This not only gives the Kinesiology student great experience, but it doesn’t require additional funding from the program.

If you do seek out funding, take the time to develop an ‘elevator pitch.’ Ask yourself what you could say in 30 seconds to 1 minute to “sell” Exercise is Medicine on Campus to anyone. Make sure you go to your meeting prepared, be knowledgeable, know your budget, what it will be used for, how it will benefit the faculty, staff and students of your school, and how it will benefit the person you are asking for funding from. Take your pitch to various people/departments/ businesses and see what kind of funding you can come up with. If you pitch your program to someone and they agree to fund you, YOU MUST FOLLOW THROUGH!

Funding Possibilities

• Student grants from student life or student government
• Campus recreation
• Student affairs
• Provost
• Community gyms and wellness centers
• President

You should develop a program prior to finding funding; however once you have established and funded a budget you can further develop, and finally, execute your Exercise is Medicine on Campus program. Below are a few thoughts to keep in mind when developing your program.

• Communicate among committee members to ensure quick and smooth program development
• Develop a program that is fun and inviting for all ages and fitness levels
• Advertise to all faculty, staff, students, and even the community
  • E-mails
    • Most importantly to department heads, administration, and students
  • Posters
  • On campus television/radio
  • Local media coverage
  • Word of mouth
  • Utilize student life
• Remember that road blocks will happen on launch day—THAT IS OKAY!
  • Utilize all committee members and volunteers. The word about Exercise is Medicine on Campus will spread more rapidly as more people help out with launch day!