Creating Healthier Places

Binghamton University

2016 Progress Report

Year Committed: 2014

Length of Commitment: 3 years

Select a Progress Report:

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Committed to meet guidelines—developed by PHA in collaboration with some of the nation’s leading nutrition, physical activity and campus wellness experts—around nutrition, physical activity, and programming on campus.

Verified Results

Implementation Date
April 2017
Reporting Date
June 2016

Commitment Element
Offer on the menu a minimum of one (1) wellness meal at each breakfast, lunch and dinner meal (if served).
Progress To Date

Binghamton University offers a minimum of one different wellness meal at each breakfast, lunch and dinner meal served. All meal offerings meet food and nutrition criteria provided by the Partnership for a Healthier America.
Implementation Date
April 2017
Reporting Date
June 2016

Commitment Element
Offer only a total number of fried foods that does not exceed the total number of platforms available at both lunch and dinner (if served) across all venues.
Progress To Date

The total number of fried food offerings falls well below the number of platforms available across all four residential dining facilities for the lunch and dinner meals.
Implementation Date
April 2017
Reporting Date
June 2016

Commitment Element
Offer a plant-based food option at every platform serving meat.
Progress To Date

Lunch and dinner meals provide a plant-based offering at every platform serving meat.
Implementation Date
April 2017
Reporting Date
June 2016

Commitment Element
Offer a healthier catering menu that only includes foods and beverages that meet healthier food and nutrition guidelines.
Progress To Date

Binghamton University’s Mindful catering menu offers a range of healthy entrees, sandwiches, salads, soup, sides and beverages that meet healthier food and nutrition guidelines.
Implementation Date
April 2017
Reporting Date
June 2016

Commitment Element
Make free water available in all dining, recreational and educational facilities.
Progress To Date

Free water is available throughout campus in all dining, recreational and educational facilities through a combination of water fountains and bottle filling stations.
Implementation Date
April 2017
Reporting Date
June 2016

Commitment Element
Post signage requiring cars to stop for pedestrians at all designated or marked crosswalks on campus.
Progress To Date

Binghamton University is currently in compliance with all New York State DOT guidelines for crosswalks on campus. The University has signage in place and has proactively upgraded crosswalk markings to highlighted bars versus parallel lines, added cross walks at the entrances to parking lots and added safety blinking lights at night to speed tables. On the main road, encircling all campus academic buildings, the 28 cross walks include 3 speed tables and these upgraded safety features.
Implementation Date
April 2017
Reporting Date
June 2016

Commitment Element
Offer a bicycle share/rental program and/or a subsidized bicycle purchase program for all individuals on campus.
Progress To Date

The student-run Binghamton University Bike Share offers free bike rentals to students and faculty. The program operates daily and provides students and faculty with access to a fleet of 32 bikes in four-hour increments each day.
Implementation Date
April 2017
Reporting Date
June 2016

Commitment Element
Offer a minimum of twenty (20) diverse recreation, physical activity/movement or competitive sports opportunities during each academic year.
Progress To Date

Binghamton University offers a wide range of diverse recreation, physical activity and competitive sports opportunities including at least 18 group fitness classes, 35 unique club sports and 16 intramural leagues.
Implementation Date
April 2017
Reporting Date
June 2016

Commitment Element
Offer, without a user fee, a minimum of one (1) monthly “how to” physical activity/ movement class that introduces students to new activities.
Progress To Date

Binghamton University created the “Find Your Fit” Series to introduce students to a range of physical activities and increase participation in activity programming throughout the campus. During the 2014-15 year, 29 unique “Find Your Fit” programs were offered with over 2,000 participants in attendance.

Partner Statement

“During 2016, Binghamton University has vigorously continued its pursuit to become the healthiest campus. The Partnership for a Healthier America is an integral part of our strategic planning process to meet this goal.

"As student health and wellness continue to develop into a central value of the University, multiple entities have partnered to help meet the selected PHA guidelines. In order to meet the multiple nutrition guidelines, the Plus 1 Campaign was created to encourage the consumption of more water, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Plus 1 also includes our delicious and well balanced Wellness Meals. Binghamton University Dining Services created a Mindful Catering menu, offering healthier options for meetings, luncheons and larger events. Hydration stations have been branded across campus in an effort to encourage greener and healthier habits. Campus safety is a serious concern. Our walking paths and pedestrian cross walks exceed the NYS DOT requirements. Encouraging physical activity and active lifestyles is a central mission. The student run Bike Share program offers the campus both travel convenience and exercise. We offer a vast selection of free monthly introductory classes and sport related clubs each year. Having opportunities that appeal to everyone is an important consideration.

"PHA has been a catalyst for our continued growth and development. We remain enthusiastic about the initiative as we enter the final stretch.”