Georgia Tech’s fifth annual Georgia Tech Campaign for EveryBody Week is being held this week through Saturday, March 2, 2013. Georgia Tech Campaign for EveryBody Week activities are sponsored by the Georgia Tech Body Image Committee, whose mission is to encourage Tech students of all genders to examine perceptions of body image and to generate discussion of body image issues on campus.

Members of the committee include Tech students as well as professionals from all over campus including the Women’s Resource Center, Stamps Health Services, Counseling Center, Athletic Association, Campus Recreation Center, Housing, Library, Student Center, Communication and Culture, Institute Communications, and the Office of International Education.

The schedule of events is designed around several goals and learning outcomes. 

1. To encourage students to engage in the variety of activities that contribute to positive body image.
2. To challenge students to critically analyze how the media positively and negatively influences body image.
3. To encourage students to evaluate the messages they give to and receive from their peers, friends, and family.

In addition to a full week of programming, the Body Image Committee is re-launching the body modification blog. The blog will explore issues involving body modification and body image, identity, and physical and emotional health and well-being.

You’re invited to share your experiences with body modification. Contributing to this blog is a great way to get involved with the Body Image Committee and to discuss your unique perceptions and opinions about body modification with other students. For the blog, body modification is broadly defined to include (but not limited to) tattooing and tattoo removal, piercing, cultural traditions that alter the body, body art, cosmetic surgery, branding, bodybuilding, and liposuction. At the most basic level, body modification means deliberately modifying the body permanently or temporarily.

You may remain anonymous, but we encourage you to include your status (undergraduate, graduate, faculty, staff or alumni). You may also submit images (as email attachments) to be included with your post; however, images will be evaluated for appropriateness and relevance. If you’re interested in contributing, email bodyimage@gatech.edu.

And finally, Body Image is on Facebook!  Help us spread the word about positive body image messages to students at Georgia Tech. Sign the GeorgiaTech Body Peace Treaty by “liking” it on Facebook.