Creating Healthier Places

Mississippi State University

2016 Progress Report

Year Committed: 2015

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
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 2016

Commitment Element
Offer a minimum five (5) types of fruits, five (5) types of vegetables and two (2) 100% whole grain products at both lunch and dinner (if served).
Progress To Date

Mississippi State University offers a range of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, with at least five types of fruits and vegetables and two whole grain options at both lunch and dinner meals.
Implementation Date
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 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

Mississippi State University offers a total number of fried foods that falls well below the total number of platforms available at both lunch and dinner across all dining venues.
Implementation Date
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 2016

Commitment Element
Label food and beverage items offered with calories per serving at the point of presentation.
Progress To Date

At each of the three campus dining venues, calories are posted at point of presentation for all food stations and menu items offered.
Implementation Date
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 2016

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

Mississippi State University offers a variety of plant-based options at lunch and dinner meals. A plant-based entrée or side is available at every platform serving meat.
Implementation Date
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 2016

Commitment Element
Offer tray-less dining in at least seventy-five percent (75%) of dining venues.
Progress To Date

Mississippi State University’s three residential dining venues, Fresh Foods, Perry and Templeton, all operate with tray-less dining. It is the policy of the University that trays are only available upon request.
Implementation Date
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 2016

Commitment Element
Make available Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) for personal nutrition assessments and counseling to all students.
Progress To Date

Mississippi State University provides all students with free access to a Registered Dietitian for nutrition assessments and counseling on a variety of topics including healthy eating, weight management, sports nutrition, disordered eating and medical nutrition therapy for conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and other nutrition-related health concerns.
Implementation Date
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 2016

Commitment Element
Provide at least one (1) bicycle parking space on campus for every fifteen (15) individuals on campus.
Progress To Date

Mississippi State University students, staff and faculty have access to 239 bicycle racks and a total of 2076 bicycle parking spaces on campus. This provides at least one space for every 12 of the 25,711 individuals on campus.
Implementation Date
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 2016

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

Mississippi State University's Bully Bike program provides students, staff and faculty with free access to a bicycle for a semester-long term. One hundred and seventy-five bicycles are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. A bicycle helmet and all maintenance is free and included with the program.
Implementation Date
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 2016

Commitment Element
Provide designated bicycle lanes on major roads and/or offer off-street bicycle paths throughout campus.
Progress To Date

Mississippi State University provides two major bicycle paths and one set of designated bike lanes to facilitate bicycle use throughout campus.
Implementation Date
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 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

Mississippi State University offers a diverse range of fitness and recreational activities including 22 unique sports clubs, 15 intramural sports, boot camp and AMPED circuit training and a full schedule of group fitness and cycling classes.
Implementation Date
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 2016

Commitment Element
Offer, without a user fee, both: a. Fitness/recreation center orientation during the first semester for all incoming students and b. One (1) fitness assessment all students each academic year.
Progress To Date

Mississippi State University offers the “Get Fit MSU” fitness program each year in August during back to school events. Get Fit MSU provides students with a free fitness center orientation and fitness assessment. Get Fit MSU is promoted through handouts in student move-in bags, flyers at recreation centers and through social media on Facebook and Instagram.
Implementation Date
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 2016

Commitment Element
Provide at least one outdoor running/walking track that is open and available for use to individuals on campus and the community for at least three (3) hours per day .
Progress To Date

The Chadwick Lake Jogging and Walking Trail was established in 2013. The mile-long, lighted trail is available 24 hours a day to all individuals on campus and the surrounding community.
Implementation Date
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 2016

Commitment Element
Offer a rental outdoor recreation equipment program for students.
Progress To Date

The Mississippi State University Outdoor Adventure program offers a selection of rental outdoor equipment for a nominal fee. Inventory includes light-weight backpacking gear, climbing basics and weekend camping essentials.
Implementation Date
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 2016

Commitment Element
Make available certified personal trainers for all students.
Progress To Date

The Sanderson Center offers a comprehensive personal training program for students, faculty, staff and non-members of the facility. Three certified trainers are available to assess personal fitness goals, develop workout plans and to teach and motivate clients in resistance training and cardiovascular conditioning exercises. Training sessions are available for a fee on an individual or partner basis.
Implementation Date
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 2016

Commitment Element
Offer non-academic cooking skills classes that are available to students.
Progress To Date

Mississippi State University’s Health Promotion and Wellness initiative offered nine cooking demonstrations and programs to increase student cooking skills in the 2015-2016 school year. The programs reached 212 participants.

Partner Statement

“In collaboration with the Partnership for a Healthier America, Mississippi State University’s (MSU) Health Promotion and Wellness, University Recreation, and Dining Services work in partnership to engage students, faculty, staff, and community members through initiatives and environmental supports to promote complete mental, physical, and social well-being.

"MSU on the Move Healthy Dawgs is an MSU employee program providing accountability, healthy tips, food samples, recipes, exercise, and nutritional information. Various nutrition programs have been offered from Health Promotion and Wellness. University Recreation provides a free WalkFit program for employees to increase physical fitness throughout the campus. Healthy food sampling has been made available to students, faculty, and staff throughout the year by Dining Services. While these are only a sample of the programming and environmental support, MSU is committed to the wellbeing of the MSU community.”