By Jody Record, Media Relations

Nancy Puglisi, director of Organizational Wellness, attended this month’s Professional, Administrative and Technical Staff Council meeting to see what new services her department might yet offer UNH employees.

“I’m very interested in knowing what we can deliver that we have not been delivering,” Puglisi said.

The launcher of the Embrace Life Fully (ELF) program 25 years ago, Puglisi is looking for ways to bring further health practices to the university. ELF is a health promotion program for faculty and staff members that provides blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose screenings in addition to educational programs. Movies, a book club, and workshops focused on positive thinking as a means of healing are also components of ELF. Acupuncture and hypnosis have been offered as well.

“Step the System,” a walking plan that counts steps instead of miles, will be kicked off in April. As an incentive for folks to get going and keep going, (“Step” runs through November) participants will have a shot a winning either a $250 or $500 gift certificate.

On another health front, council members questioned how they could help with endeavors like quitting smoking initiatives and discussed ways of quitting, including acupuncture, hypnosis and meditation.

Health insurance rates
Sharon Demers, assistant vice-president of UNH Human Resources, shared the health insurance rates that will go into effect Jan. 1, 2007, when Harvard Pilgrim replaces Cigna. To view, go to http://usnhhr.unh.edu/open-enrollment.html

Demers also noted no decision has been made regarding the distribution of additional salary improvement funds of up to one percent as noted in the FY07 Salary Increase Guidelines if they should become available. PAT council members reminded Demers that, prior to a decision being made, they would like to be “at the table” when discussions take place.

Elections
Annual elections for seats on the council will be held next month. The nomination deadline is 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29.

Ten districts are looking for new representatives to serve two-year terms. Interested candidates must be nominated, or can nominate themselves. All PAT staff members are eligible.

Nomination forms can be downloaded from the PAT Website (www.unh.edu/pat-council). Districts with open spots include numbers 7, 8, 9, 1, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17 and 21, the At-large representative. A list of council districts and the UNH departments or divisions they encompass can be found at the Website.