Nursing major Erin Craft-Otterbacher, right, has created a case study
for an exercise facility on the Pew Campus. At left is KCON academic
advisor Angela Caruso, who has worked with Craft-Otterbacher on the study.
Nursing major creates case for Pew Campus exercise facility
May 8, 2014
Erin Craft-Otterbacher used to coordinate Zumba, yoga and other
exercise classes in the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences for
nursing majors. She recalled pushing tables and chairs around in a
classroom to create enough room for the group to exercise.
Her commitment to wellness was enhanced by her role on the
executive board for Kirkhof College of Nursing’s Student Nurses’
Association. Her role has now snowballed into a study that has caught
the attention of university administrators.
Over the past year, Craft-Otterbacher has spent countless hours
advocating for a new exercise facility at the Pew Grand Rapids Campus
for its students, faculty and staff members.
Craft-Otterbacher created a survey that went to 4,000 students
who attend classes in Grand Rapids. It yielded 1,200 responses, with
96 percent of respondents stating they would use a downtown exercise
facility. Most stated they would be willing to pay a fee.
After input from KCON faculty and staff members,
Craft-Otterbacher gave her evidence-based presentation to all Pew
Campus deans plus the Health and Wellness Task Force. Next is a
meeting with the Provost’s Office, and in the fall, she hopes to
secure a resolution from Student Senate members supporting the
project.“I feel I’m a voice for the downtown students,”
Craft-Otterbacher said. “I am passionate about this and the support I
have received so far has been tremendous.”
In the survey, students cited the time it takes to get to the
Allendale Campus Fieldhouse and cost of Grand Rapids-area gyms as
barriers to a regular workout routine.
Grand Valley maintains an exercise room in Winter Hall,
accessible to faculty and staff members and the students who live there.
Craft-Otterbacher said she’s cautious not to present specific
facility options during her presentation. “Any space allocated will be
better than what there is now,” she said.
Angela Caruso, academic advisor for KCON, has worked closely
with Craft-Otterbacher on this project.
“I admire Erin’s dedication and drive,” Caruso said. “She is an
exceptional role model and I have seen her positive influence guide others.”
Craft-Otterbacher will graduate in December with a bachelor’s
degree in nursing. She said she hopes this project remains a campus priority.
“I feel that I’ve laid the groundwork for this to continue,” she
said. “Every time I have met with someone about this, it feels like a success.”
Craft-Otterbacher plans to present this project at the National
Student Nurses’ Association conference in November.
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