Recreation and Wellness Membership Options for Kent and Regional Campus Employees
Faculty and staff who sign up for an auto-debit or payroll deduction membership to the Recreation and Wellness Center on the Kent campus between January 1 and January 31, 2022, will incur no membership payments until mid-February! Learn more via the SRWC membership website, and visit the Pro Shop at the Rec Center in January to start your membership.
New option for regional campus employees
Kent State regional campus faculty and staff now have the option to purchase a Virtual Group X (group exercise) Membership through Recreational Services for $40 per semester. The virtual membership includes access to all the live virtual Group X classes led by Recreational Services instructors, as well as access to on-demand video offerings via Caravan Wellness, which includes over 300 meditation, yoga, and fitness practices.
To purchase a Virtual Group X Membership, visit and click on the "Memberships" icon. To login, enter your FlashLine credentials, but do not include @kent.edu in the username. After purchasing the membership, you'll need to create a Caravan Wellness account using your kent.edu email for verification. To create your account and get started, download the Caravan Wellness app from your phone's app store or access from an internet browser.
With questions about memberships, Caravan Wellness, or Group X classes, contact Jim Kraus, Recreational Services Marketing Coordinator, at 330-672-0465 or jkraus8@kent.edu or Beth Michel, Recreation Program Coordinator, at 330-672-4732 or emichel2@kent.edu.
Geography Researchers to Contribute to Actionable Science for Decision Makers
A key element of the mission of the College of Arts and Sciences at 5X—and an objective of many researchers across the University—is to better understand our environment and the issues and processes that bring about change.
Researchers in our Department of Geography primarily study patterns of climates, landforms, vegetation, soils, water and people. They use many tools and techniques in their work including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and online mapping such as Google Earth. They partner and collaborate with researchers at other institutions and local, state, and federal government agencies.
For Timothy Assal, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Geography, all these tools and techniques come together in the multi-institutional projects on which he works. His most recent project, “Vulnerability of lower-ecotone aspen forests to altered fire regimes and climate dynamics in the northern Great Basin” (a three-year $299,842 total award with $89,600 going to Kent State) is funded by the Northwest Climate Adaption Science Center. This collaboration includes the United States Geological Survey (USGS) in Boise, Idaho, Utah State University, and the United States Bureau of Land Management. The Great Basin includes parts of Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, and Utah.
PTA Club Partners With ASA's Angels for Holiday Outreach
Students, faculty and staff Supported 30 “angel tags”
The 5X at Ashtabula Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Club student organization led an effort on campus to brighten the holidays for local children in conjunction with Asa’s Angels, a non-profit organization that operates quarterly outreach programs.
The club hosted a clothing, toy and basic needs drive in Robert S. Morrison Hall throughout November, inviting the campus community to select one of 30 child gift sponsor tags.
The wish lists included items like socks, underwear, clothing, pajamas, games, science kits, video games, Paw Patrol and PJ Mask toys, Legos, Barbies and more. The ages of the children range from infant to sixteen years old.
“The students really wanted to do something to support the local community, to give back in some way,” said Clinical Education Academic Coordinator Ashley Vlasov, PTA, MPH. “Working with Asa’s Angels, an organization in our community, to help their efforts has been great. We are hoping next year to start a little earlier and make it bigger and support more children and families.”
The “Christmas for Kids” outreach program is one of several Asa’s Angels operates throughout the year, along with an Easter drive and a “Back to School” supplies drive. Founded in 2007, Asa’s Angels helps those in need in Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake and Cuyahoga counties. Visit for more details.
MLK Committee Still Accepting Programming Requests
The 5X Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Events Planning Committee is still accepting submissions! to enter your information and make sure your initiative gets featured.
University divisions, departments and student organizations are welcome to submit programming, activities and events (scheduled January 24 - 28, 2022) to the by January 12, 2022.
Programming should follow Kent State’s Events and Activities Guidelines and avoid taking place on January 27, as this will be the date of the university’s Annual Keynote Celebration.
Please contact Shana Lee (slee@kent.edu) and/or Katie Mattise (kmattise@kent.edu) regarding any questions.
Onsite Health Coaching, January 12
What better time than a new year to prioritize your well-being? If you need help with finding motivation, setting goals, or sticking to your self-care routine, a Be Well Solutions health coach can help! With health coaching, you’ll receive individualized support and accountability, and you can also earn points toward Tier 2 of the .
Health coaching sessions are confidential and include a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental conversation with a certified coach. Your coach will help guide you through the process of planning, implementing, and maintaining healthy behaviors. You'll receive encouragement and support as you work towards identifying and overcoming your barriers to achieving success.
Health coaching is complimentary and unlimited for full time, benefits eligible faculty and staff. To schedule a session, login to your and click on “Worksite Health Coaching” (available monthly at Heer Hall on the Kent campus) or “Virtual/Telephonic Nutrition Counseling and Health Coaching” (available anywhere year-round) under “My Appointments”. Each session is worth 10 Tier 2 points. The next worksite health coaching date is January 12.
For questions related to health and wellness offerings for faculty and staff, contact Employee Wellness at wellness@kent.edu or 330-672-0392.
Wellness Your Way Rewards Program Reminders
Full-time, benefits-eligible faculty and staff can now work toward completing Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the and earn up to $300 this year.
Tier 1 qualifying period: September 1, 2021 - April 30, 2022
Build awareness of your personal health and earn your first $100 reward by completing all three Tier 1 activities:
- Know Your Numbers Health Screening - Complete onsite with Be Well Solutions or with your primary care physician. To schedule an onsite screening, login to your and select "Worksite Screening" under "My Appointments". Alternatively, access the Physician Screening form within the "Wellness Reward Program" portal tab
- Health Risk Assessment - Complete on the under the "My Wellness" tab
- Consent, Waiver, & Release Agreement - Download from the “Wellness Reward Program” page of the and submit to Employee Wellness via email, fax, or campus mail
Tier 2 qualifying period: January 1 - October 15, 2022
YOU choose from eligible activities to earn points toward your second wellness reward. The goal is to earn 350 points by participating in a variety of health-promoting activities. Once you accumulate 350 Tier 2 points, you receive your next $200. To peruse points-eligible activities, including new categories such as blood donation and CPR/first aid certification, visit the and click on "Wellness Reward Program" under "My Wellness"
For questions related to health and wellness offerings for faculty and staff, contact Employee Wellness at wellness@kent.edu or 330-672-0392.
Labor Condition Application Notice
In accordance with 20 CFR § 655.734, 5X is required to provide notice that a Labor Condition Application (LCA) for H-1B Nonimmigrant Alien Worker has been led by 5X with the United States Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, United States Employment Service Certifying Officer. All LCA postings are provided for at the university's Legal Notices website.