Creating Healthier Places

Oakwood 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

The Oakwood University Blake Center Dining Hall offers at least five types of fruits, five types of vegetables and two 100% 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

The Blake Center Dining Hall offers a total number of fried foods that does not exceed the total number of platforms available at both lunch and dinner meals. During the dates reviewed, only one fried food option was available across 11 platforms.
Implementation Date
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 2016

Commitment Element
Offer and identify as healthier at point of presentation at least three (3) desserts at both lunch and dinner that have no more than 150 calories as served.
Progress To Date

Oakwood University offers at least three desserts that have no more than 150 calories, as served, at both lunch and dinner meals. Desserts are identified with nutrition labels at the point of presentation. Oakwood University is also working to develop a healthy icon program.
Implementation Date
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 2016

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

Oakwood University has operated a vegetarian campus since 1896. Meals served in the Blake Center Dining hall are all plant-based.
Implementation Date
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 2016

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

Oakwood University makes free water available in all educational, recreational and dining facilities through a combination of water fountains and free water stations.
Implementation Date
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 2016

Commitment Element
Provide marked walking routes on campus, one of which must be at least two (2) miles in length and have distance markers at regular intervals. A route map is made available to individuals on campus.
Progress To Date

Oakwood University offers a 2-mile walking and jogging path throughout campus. The route is marked every 0.2 miles. A route map and video demonstrating the entire route is available on the University website.
Implementation Date
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 2016

Commitment Element
Provide, without a user fee, sixteen (16)-hour per day access to at least one (1) fitness or recreation center for all students.
Progress To Date

Oakwood University provides students with free access to at least one of their three fitness facilities for 12 to 16 hours per day. The Weight Room, Gymnasium, and Natatorium are closed on Saturdays in observation of the Sabbath.
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

Oakwood University offers a minimum of twenty diverse recreation, physical activity/movement or competitive sports opportunities during each academic year, including intramural sports, weekly running and walking clubs, physical activity events and regular access to weight training, open gym and recreational swimming.
Implementation Date
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 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

The Get Moving OU! program offers monthly "how-to" physical activity classes, events and demonstrations, in addition to a range of other activities to promote student wellness. Over the 2015-2016 school year "how-to" activities included bubble soccer, Zumba, an inflatable obstacle course, a roller skate roller-thon and a campus fun run.
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

Since 2015, Oakwood University has offered a Healthy Campus 2020 Wellness Day for all new and returning students, faculty and staff. This event allows participants to obtain biometric screenings, a fitness test, a mental health screen and complete a personal health history survey. Students have the opportunity to navigate through stations designed to represent each principle in the University’s “STANDOUT” health and wellness initiative. Annual new student orientation incorporates a walking tour of the campus, which promotes physical activity and emphasizes all fitness and recreation areas and opportunities on campus.
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

Oakwood University offers an outdoor running/walking track on campus that is open and available for use to faculty, staff, students and the community, 24 hours a day, 7 week. The track has signage encouraging use and is also promoted through the University’s Healthy Campus 2020 Facebook page.
Implementation Date
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 2016

Commitment Element
Provide an outdoor fitness system.
Progress To Date

Oakwood University provides an outdoor fitness system equipped with ten diverse exercise machines. The system empowers and encourages students, faculty and staff to engage in outdoor physical activity.
Implementation Date
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 2016

Commitment Element
Implement an integrated, comprehensive wellness program for individuals on campus that is provided annually.
Progress To Date

Oakwood University’s Healthy Campus 2020 (HC2020) was designed to empower students to make healthy lifestyle decisions and foster a holistic approach to a healthy mind, body and soul. The HC2020 Coordinating Committee meets on a regular basis and promotes events and activities online through the University’s intranet, internet, social media and student portal sites and in-person through campus-wide campaigns, wellness fairs and health challenges. HC2020 facilitates annual training for Resident Assistants on nutrition and physical activity and also supports the Health Ambassador program to inspire healthy changes among student peers.
Implementation Date
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 2016

Commitment Element
Implement a mandatory health and wellness education online module to be completed by all incoming first year or transfer students, upon registering with the college or university.
Progress To Date

Health and wellness education objectives and an online module were added to Oakwood University’s mandatory Freshman Seminar course for all incoming freshman and new students. The objectives require students to identify health principles and healthy habits that promote a healthy mind, body and soul.

Partner Statement

“Oakwood University (OU) joined the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) in 2015. It is a distinct honor to partner with a national organization that seeks to prevent and eradicate childhood obesity. In addition, to be provided with an opportunity to select the individualized initiatives that would frame the progression of our unique health and wellness program, STANDOUT was amazing.

"The PHA Healthier Campus Initiative (HCI) provides a comprehensive evidence-based approach to building, maintaining, and sustaining a robust health and wellness program. Currently, Oakwood University has completed 60 percent of the 23 initiatives that were selected in 2015. With over a year and a half to complete the remaining initiatives, OU is committed to completing these projects before the final submission date in 2018.

"In the area of food /nutrition, five of the ten initiatives have been completed. However, all of the initiatives are in progress. In the area of physical activity and movement, seven of the initiatives have been completed with the remaining areas in progress. Finally, two of the programming initiatives have been completed with the final program pending verification.

"This has been an awesome experience and we look forward to completing the remaining HCI guidelines.”