#BeSafeCougs Event

PULLMAN – Washington State University hosted its second annual Safety, Health and Security Fair on Tuesday, October 22. The event took place in the CUB Junior and Senior Ballrooms and lasted more than five hours. Event coordinators said they hoped to educate students, staff, and community members on topics ranging from mental health to bike safety.

Sarah Mahaffy, the event coordinator, said “There’s a lot of really great resources available to students, staff and faculty… So [we’re] just making sure that they’re well educated on what’s available and connecting them with resources that will help them out.”

The fair has grown significantly since its inaugural year. “We learned a lot last year, we learned what was needed, and we enlarged it so much this year,” said Sharon White, the Assistant Director of Marketing for WSU. Mahaffy agreed, “I think there’s an increase in people coming every year, which is great.”

The additions included a blood drive on-site, which 33 students signed up for. The Red Cross says that one donation of blood can potentially save up to three lives, which means that WSU students at the Safety Fair may have saved nearly 100 lives.

The organizers also added “flash talks” this year, which served as brief, 15-30 minute lectures or classes. Mantis Martial Arts taught a self defense class, Sanctuary Yoga taught a yoga class, and a Dining Services dietitian led a class on healthy eating on a budget. Sleep and Performance Research Center led demonstrations and discussions on fatigue, workplace napping and sleep hygiene. And WSU Cyber Safety and Security educated listeners on cyber safety and how to protect oneself online.

The organizers included an awards segment in the day’s events, recognizing the accomplishments of students and staff at each of WSU’s campuses. White said they received 55 nominations, from which they selected seven awardees.

President Kirk Schulz congratulated the award winners and also spoke at the event. He discussed the value of security and safe practices on campus and in the community, and said that safety is key to WSU’s success as a university.

“It’s not just so people don’t get hurt places. But I think when we’re in a safe environment, people tend to excel,” Schulz explained.

There were 55 tables throughout the CUB senior ballroom, giving fair attendees the opportunity to speak with and learn from resources including Cougar Health Services, Whitman County Public Health, and Pullman Regional Hospital.

Overall, the event organizers felt that the fair was a success. “I’m really excited about the fact that we have brought so much awareness to the students that we’re here to help…. We’ve covered everything that we can on safety, security and health,” said White.