Creating Healthier Places

The Ohio State University

2016 Progress Report

Year Committed: 2014

Length of Commitment: 3 years

Select a Progress Report:

View Partner

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
Implement a local food procurement program that increases procurement of local and sustainable foods.
Progress To Date

Ohio State University has committed to increase production and purchase of locally and sustainably sourced food to 40% by 2025. Currently, 30% of food purchases are from Ohio, and University Dining Services has partnered with local farmers, growers and producers to procure additional local and sustainable produce, meat, dairy products, coffee and other food items.
Implementation Date
April 2017
Reporting Date
June 2016

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

Ohio State University Dining Services implemented tray-less dining in all three campus dining facilities in 2012.
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, beverage dispensers and bottle filling stations.
Implementation Date
April 2017
Reporting Date
June 2016

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

Students have access to a registered dietitian nutritionist for free nutrition coaching sessions, which includes nutrition assessment, education and goal setting.
Implementation Date
April 2017
Reporting Date
June 2016

Commitment Element
Implement a bicycle and pedestrian accommodation program/policy (e.g., Complete Streets) or participate in a national bicycle or pedestrian recognition program (e.g., Bicycle Friendly University).
Progress To Date

Ohio State University was designated a Bicycle Friendly University at the bronze level in 2011, with a renewal in 2015. In addition, the "Share the Road – Ohio State" educational initiative was implemented to promote safe behaviors among students, faculty, staff and visitors moving around campus and raise awareness of the university efforts to provide a safe environment for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists.
Implementation Date
April 2017
Reporting Date
June 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

Ohio State University’s Fred Beekman Park offers a 1.1-mile asphalt lighted jogging path, open and available daily for more than the minimum of 3 hours each day.
Implementation Date
April 2017
Reporting Date
June 2016

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

Ohio State University’s Outdoor Adventure Center offers a wide range of outdoor recreation equipment rentals for daily, weekend and weekly use.
Implementation Date
April 2017
Reporting Date
June 2016

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

Ohio State University offers a personal training program that consists of 29 certified personal trainers to provide one-on-one training, group training, free equipment orientations and fitness assessments.

Partner Statement

“Ohio State has made further strides to complete all of it’s requirements. We feel positive about the contributions we have been able to produce to date. Currently, we are working on getting a list of food and beverages that meet the Wellness Meal criteria, and intend to submit the required data in the winter months. Additionally, we are reviewing the dining services options and will be reporting on the other nutrition guidelines in the near future. We are excited to be ready to install our new walking path around OSU, with partnerships between the Chief Wellness Officer, Office of Student Life, Office of Human Resources, OSU Athletics and Wexner Medical Center. It will be a neat addition to our campus environment. We will be submitting the final project in March 2017.

"Over the past year, we finalized the Resident Life physical activity/healthy eating handbook, and identified times for training RAs on this very important topic,. We are also happy to announce that The Office of Student Life: Creating the Extraordinary Student Experience has more than 30 departments within the Office of Student Life are dedicated to helping ALL students achieve success, strengthening our mission to provide accessibility/inclusiveness.”