Welcome!
Welcome to the University of Southern Maine’s Wellness website.
Here you will find information to assist and motivate you on your wellness journey, including upcoming, campus-specific Level 2-approved wellness events and contacts for the Wellness Committee members (we are always welcoming new members!).
Click here for information on obtaining your Level 1 incentive credit (link to new UMS wellness website). Satisfying your Level 1 incentive keeps your insurance premiums at the preferred rate. The deadline to meet the Level 1 incentive is April 30, 2023.
The USM Wellness Committee encourages you to consider participating in a Level 2-approved activity, such as a TrestleTree webinar, campus wellness event, or a self-reporting activity. Visit Connections & Learning @ USM (link) to view the current listing of TrestleTree webinars and more.
Participation in a Level 2-approved activity will add $100 (taxable) to your final paycheck of the year. This is applicable to spouses and domestic partners covered in your health insurance as well. The deadline to submit a Level 2 incentive for credit is November 30, 2023.
University of Maine System Wellness Website
The 2023 UMS Wellness Website is available and contains links to the EAP, Omada, the Cigna Wellness site, answers Level 1 and Level 2 questions, and more. Please note that this updated website replaces the traditional Wellness Guide.
Release & Assumption of Risk Form – required for all Level 2 activities
Please note that all Level 2-approved activities require a completed Release and Assumption of Risk Form, excluding the TrestleTree webinars.
New this year, we have updated our campus-specific forms to include the activity name and a space for your employee ID. We ask that your form be filled out completely and sent to usmwellnesscommittee@maine.edu or, if applicable, given to the onsite contact at group events.
To access the correct form, please click on the event you wish to participate in under Upcoming Wellness Events in 2023 (link).
For those faculty and staff that may be participating with a spouse or domestic partner who is also seeking Level 2 credit, please be sure to use your employee ID on their form.
For offsite events, such as our Pineland Farms Snowshoeing event and our USM Hikes Bradbury Mountain event, please note that to receive credit for participation you must check in with the onsite contact during the announced check-in time. We are no longer able to provide incentive credit for late arrivals.
Overview of MotivateME Level 1 and Level 2 Incentives
Upcoming Wellness Events in 2023 for Level 2 Credit
| Event | Date | Location & Details |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Pineland Farms Snow-shoeing and Cross-Country Skiing Event | March 5th-18th, 2023 | Pineland Farms directions Please complete the Risk & Release Form and email it to usmwellnesscommittee@maine.edu. |
| Maine Gay Volleyball | Every Saturday at 10am-12:30pm | Maine Gay Volleyball (MGV) is a recreational sports group that strives to create a fun, safe, and social environment for the LGBTQ+ community to come as they are and play to their abilities. MGV primarily consists of intermediate to advanced level players, however all experience levels are welcome. Indoor play takes place at USM’s Sullivan Gym in Portland every Saturday through May 2023 from 10am-12:30pm. This is run as a drop-in group; therefore, no advanced registration is required. Level II incentive has been approved for any member of the USM community who wishes to participate in one of the Saturday volleyball sessions. FMI: Please contact daniel.barton@maine.edu. |
| Zoom Mindful Mondays | Mondays from 4:30-5:15pm excluding University holidays. | Register here. Contact: stephanie.rand@iahv.org No cost to participate in this outstanding program! |
| Eastern Trail Walks (and other approved trails) | May 1st through November 30th, 2023 | Choose from any of the Southern Maine Eastern Trails, Thorncrag Sanctuary (Lewiston/Auburn) and in Gorham both Cherry Hill Farm and Shaw Park. *See below for self-reporting instructions. |
| TrestleTree Webinars | March 16th through November 13th, 2023 | No Release Form required. Visit Connections & Learning @ USM for the schedule. There are a variety of dates and times to match your schedule! |
| Annual Fall Rucking Event | October 2023 (exact date TBA) | Enjoy a healthy boxed lunch and connection directly following the Ruck. |
| Annual USM Hikes Bradbury Mountain | October 2023 (exact date TBA) | Pre-registration required. Bradbury Mountain directions. |
| TrestleTree Holiday Webinar | November 2023 (exact date TBA) | During the annual Open Enrollment Benefits Fair. Holiday-focused topic to be announced closer to the date. |
| Zoom Power Hour | Tuesdays 1:30-2:30pm starting January 3rd through May 4th, 2023. | Strength & Power Hour (Zoom): This hour-long fitness class will focus on circuit training for muscular strength, bone density, core strength and stability, balance and mobility. Instructor: Niffy Allen Fees: Students FREE; Gym members (including faculty and staff) $50 Zoom Class Link: contact jennifer.h.allen@maine.edu If you have questions or concerns, please call us at (207) 780-4169 or email usm.sullivancomplex@maine.edu |
*Self-Reporting Instructions: Are you interested in an Eastern Trail Walk or another approved trail walk? Simply complete the Release and Assumption of Risk form above, take a picture of yourself (and spouse or domestic partner if applicable) and email both to usmwellnesscommittee@maine.edu. We’ll do the rest and make sure that your information is submitted to our benefits team for level 2 credit.
Do you have an idea for a possible Level 2 wellness event? Email us with the details at usmwellnesscommittee@maine.edu. We would love to hear from you!
Continuing on with these Level 2-approved wellness activites:
Sullivan, Costello, or LAC Fitness Centers:
Do you enjoy working out at the Sullivan, Costello or LAC fitness centers? Level 2 is approved for this activity if you swipe in a minimum of 5 times during one month. If you do not swipe in, we will be unable to track and verify your attendance. Swiping in at the fitness center is the mechanism for us to create a report which is sent directly to our benefits team for your Level 2 incentive credit.
Contact USM Wellness Champion Kevin Normand at 207-228-8242 with questions. Please be sure to complete the Release Form located within Employee Self Service in MainStreet, along with any fitness center-specific forms, prior to beginning your work out.
It is important to note that USM Fitness Centers do not provide any type of waiver or pass to allow for faculty and staff to work out at other UMS locations. Please connect directly with the campus you wish to visit for their specific guidelines.
For those wishing to have a spouse or domestic partner use the USM Fitness Centers, please connect directly with Kevin Normand (kevin.normand@maine.edu) and his team to review the steps for access.
Weight Watchers, NOOM, Jenny Craig:
Are you currently participating in Weight Watchers, NOOM or Jenny Craig? These programs are approved for Level 2 credit. You must actively participate in the program and be able to provide evidence upon request. The online community event form must be completed when requesting a level 2 award. Request this form from the UMS Benefits team at benefits@maine.edu or wellness@maine.edu.
Have you been participating in an activity that you think may qualify you for a Level 2 approved incentive credit? Email our wellness system partners at wellness@maine.edu and inquire!
Questions?
Contact UMS Wellness (link to new website) at wellness@maine.edu or the Employee Benefits Center at benefits@maine.edu or 207-973-3372.
USM wellness event questions should be emailed to the USM Wellness committee at usmwellnesscommittee@maine.edu.
The USM Wellness Committee is represented by staff across the University. Current committee members are:
Jennifer (Niffy) Allen, Assistant Coordinator of Recreation and Fitness, Sullivan Gym
Cathy Clements, Administrative Support Supervisor, Office of Admissions
Renee Cote, Project Assistant, Office of Equity, Inclusion and Community Impact
Lisa Eddy (she/her/hers), HR Project Specialist, Campus Human Resources Services
Marge Jarry, Associate Director of Operations, Office of Admissions
Natalie Jones (she/her/hers), Vice President, Campus Human Resources Services
Katie Andrews, Associate Financial Analyst, Finance and Administration
Kevin Normand, Wellness Champion and Manager of the Sullivan Recreation and Fitness Center
Michele Reagan, Accounting Support Specialist, Student Financial Services
Meghan Schratz, Human Resources Partner, Campus Human Resources Services
Collaborators
Joe DiSalvo, TrestleTree Health Coach
Outdoor Adventures Board (OAB)
Check them out on Facebook and Instagram