Texas student leaders launch student-to-student public health initiative

DALLAS, Aug. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Collegiate student body representatives from 20 Texas universities and colleges have joined forces to launch the College Health Alliance of Texas (CHAT) in an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19 on the state's college and university campuses.

"The COVID-19 pandemic is our generation's defining moment," said Southern Methodist University Student Body Vice President Austin Hickle, who organized the coalition. "Our purpose is to help coordinate communications and engagement with students and ensure that our generation complies with public health recommendations to the maximum extent possible. The point is, we hold the key to our collegiate experience, we control our future."

The alliance includes representatives from Texas A&M University, University of Texas at Austin, University of Houston, Texas Tech University, Texas State University, University of North Texas, The University of Texas at Dallas, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, The University of Texas at El Paso, Baylor University, University of Houston (Downtown), Tarleton State University, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, Rice University, West Texas A&M University, Abilene Christian University, Trinity University, Dallas Baptist University and Paul Quinn College.

Members are actively recruiting more participants to increase their statewide reach for the purpose of effectively communicating the importance of public health guidelines, actively engaging students to do their part and facilitating collaboration with health and administrative officials, explained Hickle, a junior at SMU and the recipient of the Hunt Leadership Scholarship.

Texas Tech University student body vice president Faisal Al-Hummod emphasized that controlling the spread of COVID-19 on college campuses is reliant upon the students.

"Our collective actions will dictate how this semester works," said Al-Hummond, "and it will ultimately come down to our engagement in best health and safety practices."

The College Health Alliance of Texas intends to produce a student guide written by students, for students, to include CDC recommendations as well as mental health checklists and COVID-19 etiquette and tips for studying. Student body leaders will gather feedback, find messages and facts that appeal directly to students and regularly update the guide.

A statewide student survey to better understand students' thoughts and concerns is also in the works. Once complete, the alliance will publicly release the results and brief local and state-elected officials on the results and advise on how to best communicate with a collegiate demographic, said Hickle.

Links:
Website: collegehealthallianceoftexas.com
Twitter: @CollegeHealthTX
Instagram: @CollegeHealthTX

About the College Health Alliance of Texas

The College Health Alliance of Texas is a group of Texas student leaders united to build consensus, stop the spread of COVID-19 and to keep college campuses open by effectively communicating how following simple public health guidelines is in everyone's best interest.

SOURCE College Health Alliance of Texas