Fitness programmeUnderwear hanging in the college canteen. Students getting ready for "Shagweek". And the college approves. No, you're not dreaming. It's Sexual Health Awareness Week in Athlone Institute of Technology, and it's just one small part of the college's overall health promotion programme. Such is its success, other third-level colleges are taking notes and may soon introduce the programme.
Athlone IT is unique in that it is the first third-level college in the State to actively promote and encourage mental, physical, emotional and sexual well-being, thanks to a unique programme developed in partnership with the Midlands Health Board.
The Healthy Living Programme features a range of initiatives such as the unique GP-referral scheme whereby patients (students and staff) are referred to the college gym where trained staff devise a suitable fitness programme: and healthy living messages (about alcohol/drug abuse, depression and sexual health) are displayed on lecture screens and on college computers (as screensavers).
The college catering department is also involved, by trying to change people's eating habits. The canteen has a weekly chip-free day and has low fat meals, a selection of salads and Happy Heart awards for those who stick to their new eating regime.
Other initiatives include a weight-loss programme with Weight Watchers and a support group for students who lack coping skills. As part of Athlone IT's alcohol policy, there is a specially designated area for students who don't drink alcohol - a common room located near the college bar and canteen furnished with a TV, juke box, pool table and some comfy chairs.
A "Slí na Sláinte" walking initiative is currently being planned with the local authority. This will involve the erection of designated signs setting out a walking route around the college. This initiative will complement the college's exercise and sports programme which is also actively promoted.
The latest initiative, the GP-referral scheme, was launched last September. The aim is to develop an active lifestyle programme. Two gym staff, manager David Curley and Alicia Gormley, were both trained for the specialist scheme at the expense of the Midlands Health Board. They were sent on a week-long intensive course to Belfast, following assessment by the Midlands Health Board of their suitability.
"We learned how to treat students and staff with different conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, hypertension [blood pressure], stress and obesity," says Curley.
"When they are referred to us by a GP or the college medical centre, we assess them and come up with a suitable programme which best suits their condition. We don't deal with medication referrals and not all referrals are accepted," he says.
The college gym has a mix of machine weights and more than 22 pieces of cardio equipment including bicycles, treadmills, steppers and rowers. There is also a multi-purpose hall for a range of classes.
Another interesting aspect of the programme is the integration of health promotion into actual course work. Starting last year, graphics students from the art and design department were tasked with designing a new set of screensavers and other promotional items such as the aforementioned underwear. The work is part of a module and is assessed at the end of the year, with awards and prizes going to the best and most effective design/concept which is then used in a campaign (such as the underwear) and/or screensaver messages/images.
Athlone IT has about 4,000 full-time students, 2,000 part-time and 500 staff. The response to the programme has been very positive, according to the director of the institute, Prof Ciaran O'Cathain.
"The programme grew out of an earlier campus project launched in 2001. It built on a number of elements from that and from the National Health Promotion Strategy and the Student Lifestyle Survey 1998.
"It looked at the partnership model to develop health promotion initiatives for campus/third level, but it's not just about that. It looks at social, economic, political, environmental, genetic and behavioural factors.
"The aim is to provide a supportive environment to enable students and staff to increase their control over detriments to health, and thereby improve their overall health.
"There's been a great take-up to the programme. I didn't think I'd be sitting in the canteen looking up at a pair of underwear labelled Chlamydia, facing the words 'Could they be yours?' - It's very clever."
Student services officer Pat McTiernan agrees, and can't believe how easily she tells people it's "Shagweek".
"I almost forget my age," she says. "The week is all about creating awareness of sexually transmitted diseases which, reports show, are on the increase nationally.
"This sexual health awareness week is being highlighted in co-operation with Aids West, Crisis Pregnancy Agency, the Students Union of Ireland, our own health promotion officer, Theresa Ryan, and our partner, the Midlands Health Board.
"This campaign is a very important part of our overall programme. There is no public funding for colleges' health promotion initiatives other than the college itself and the local health board.
"We are extremely lucky in that the Midlands Health Board has supported our initiatives since the beginning. We got initial funding from the Higher Education Authority as part of a consortium of four colleges - UL, Mary Immaculate Limerick and NUI Galway. We were the only college, as far as I know, to employ a health promotion officer - Theresa works 20 hours a week. And we know we're doing very well by the response."