Grand Valley State University’s Center for Health and Well-being is a leading a campus-wide awareness effort to educate the student body on sexual-violence prevention and wellness practices.
The Red Zone initiative focuses on a statistically high-risk period of sexual violence that occurs from move-in week through Thanksgiving break, often referred to as the “Red Zone.” According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, more than 50% of college sexual assaults occur from August to November. National studies have consistently found first-year students are particularly vulnerable during this period as they adjust to new freedoms, environments and social dynamics.
The University’s campaign highlights how first-year students are especially at risk early in the semester as parties and social gatherings are typically more frequent. During such activities, alcohol can be used as a tool of coercion by perpetrators of sexual violence. In response, the center is promoting awareness, bystander intervention and resource availability.
Heather Alberda, a health promotion specialist at the University, emphasized the campaign stems from the university’s broader commitment to violence prevention.
“Violence prevention has been a top priority for GVSU,” Alberda said. “The Red Zone campaign is one of the many ways the Violence Prevention Task force is engaging the GVSU campus.”
Alberda said the center’s campaign is designed to meet students where they are, and to communicate resources they have at their disposal.
“We tabled in the Kirkhof lobby for the month of September (and) hosted a table at football games during tailgating, (which we’ll) continue to do,” Alberda said. “October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we have a whole month of outreach and activities scheduled,” Alberda said.
These activities, including upcoming seminars, training and immersive simulations are intended to engage the student body on topics that are often stigmatized and can be difficult to discuss.
Beyond the Red Zone initiative, Alberda identified additional forms of wellness support offered to students at. When it comes to mental health resources, GVSU maintains a support system that integrates clinical services, prevention and student-led initiatives. The University’s On-Campus Mental Health Directory lists services including Recreation & Wellness, University Counseling Center and hotlines such as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The included Mental Health and Well-being Index serves as a toolbox, guiding students toward resources in eight wellness categories such as emotional, social and spiritual.
Faculty also play a critical role in supporting students’ well-being. The Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center provides training, helping instructors recognize signs of distress and be able to connect students to resources that suit their individual needs. The center also hosts the Pace Initiative for Connecting Mind and Health, embedding wellness into coursework and faculty practices. As part of this effort, the University will be hosting a Student Mental Health Summit Oct. 15, with a “Belonging as Resilience” theme. The summit aims to create campus dialogue and expand strategies for student support.
Alongside counseling and institutional resources, student-led organizations provide community-based wellness opportunities. One example is the Bhakti Yoga Club, which integrates ancient wisdom, meditation and mindfulness into campus life.
The club meets Thursdays from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Russel H. Kirkhof Center, with room locations rotating between 2227 and 2266. Sessions are open to all students and often include mantra meditation, stress-relief techniques and discussions about modern applications of ancient text.
Club leader and computer science graduate student Pooja Gadige said meetings encourage reflection and balance.
“We’ll be exploring a range of topics at each meeting, such as discovering our authentic selves beyond societal labels, finding a healthy balance between life, work and school, developing overall emotional well-being, and building new and meaningful relationships,” Gadige said.
For Gadige, Bhakti yoga reflects a broader philosophy.
“Bhakti yoga is a holistic approach to life,” Gadige said. “It views each person as a unique combination of body, mind and soul, using techniques that foster harmony among them. Universal in its application, Bhakti yoga transcends geographical and cultural boundaries.”
The group’s events occasionally expand beyond traditional sessions. Past gatherings have featured sacred jam sessions, in which members bring acoustic instruments to play. The Bhakti Yoga Club also sells meditation books near the Cook Carillon Tower to reach a wider audience on campus.
From campaigns like the Red Zone to the work of student-led wellness groups, members of the campus community aim to address health comprehensively. University officials emphasize that prevention, intervention and community support must work together to create safer spaces and healthier outcomes for all students.
