Millennials and Generation Z dominate college and university campuses, and according to Nielsen, they are all about healthier options. Across the country, colleges and universities are stepping up to the challenge. From creating bike share programs to stocking vending machines with healthier products to increasing access to one of our personal faves – water – campuses are hard at work meeting the demands of current and prospective students.
But what really makes a campus healthier? In honor of our inaugural #HealthyCampus Week, we explored this question and landed on 5 habits shared across healthier campuses.
1. Working in Wellness Meals. Whether breakfast, lunch or dinner, campuses across the nation are making a habit of ensuring access to at least one registered-dietitian-approved meal at all times. At Binghamton University, students and faculty sometimes even harvest their dinner in the afternoon and then devour it at night. Talk about eating local.
2. Building it Healthy. From bike racks to walking paths to pedestrian-friendly signage, colleges and universities are making it easier to fit physical activity into the day. Bucknell University in Pennsylvania has launched its very own bike share program, known as Bison Bikes.
3. Encouraging Movement. Having a fun new fitness class to look forward to makes working out seem like less of a chore. With that in mind, many campuses are offering up classes that will motivate students, faculty and staff to try them out and maybe even become regulars. From Zumba to spinning to the University of Miami’s Largest Yoga Class, campuses are getting creative and it’s paying off.
4. Opting for H2O. It’s hard to say no to free, which is why many campuses are making sure water is readily available at no charge all across campus.
5. Spreading the Word. This week, colleges and universities across the country—many of whom are part of PHA’s Healthier Campus Initiative—are using the hashtag #HealthyCampus to promote the healthier options they have available.
Follow along to find out more, then use the hashtag to tell us how your campus is making healthier options more available for students, faculty and staff!
*Photo Credit: University of Miami/University Communications
