The Division of Student Affairs’ Health and Wellness Community of Practice is proud to announce its three-year commitment to expand healthier options on campus through its collaboration with Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA)—the leading organization working with the private sector to ensure that all children and young adults have the opportunity to live healthy, active lives.
Illinois State University is one of more than 70 institutions of higher learning to implement PHA’s rigorous Healthier Campus Initiative (HCI) guidelines designed to create a culture shift towards greater health and wellness among its campus community of students, faculty, and staff. Cumulatively, HCI partners serve more than 1 million undergraduate students. Thirty-two percent of those students receive U.S. Federal Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need.
“I am so proud of the work that has already been done to make well-being a priority on our campus. To be named a partner in the Healthier Campus Initiative demonstrates our commitment to a holistic approach to wellness, and deserves to be celebrated.” —Vice President for Student Affairs Levester “LJ” Johnson
“We congratulate Illinois State’s commitment to supporting students and their wider campus community to develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime,” said PHA President and CEO Nancy E. Roman. “Their leadership is an important step forward towards realizing Partnership for a Healthier America’s goal that all young people grow up free from obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions associated with excess weight.”
As part of the Healthier Campus Initiative commitment, Illinois State will work collaboratively with PHA to build upon existing campus wellness efforts to encourage and support greater physical activity and healthier eating habits. Every Healthier Campus Initiative partner commits to meeting 23 of 41 PHA guidelines within three years. Of the 23 guidelines, Illinois State University has already completed nine, and is committed to implementing the following initiatives over the course of the next three years, among the others:
• Providing at least one “how to” physical activity to introduce students to new activities.
• Providing without a fee, fitness assessments to all students each year.
• Implementing a comprehensive, strategic product placement and merchandising policy within dining venues to encourage healthier food consumption
• Offering non-academic cooking skills classes that are available to all students.
The Division of Student Affairs and its Health and Wellness Community of Practice celebrated this announcement at the Healthy Campus Kickoff on Wednesday, September 25 on the Quad. The new Eight at State campaign was also unveiled at the event, promoting the eight dimensions of wellness that combine and define well-being. Members of the campus community will begin to see this new campaign displayed across campus in an effort to bring shared branding to all well-being programs and services.
Vice President for Student Affairs Levester “LJ” Johnson shared, “I am so proud of the work that has already been done to make well-being a priority on our campus. To be named a partner in the Healthier Campus Initiative demonstrates our commitment to a holistic approach to wellness, and deserves to be celebrated.”
For more information about the Eight at State campaign, visit Wellness.IllinoisState.edu. To learn more about PHA, visit AHealthierAmerica.org.
