Creating Healthier Places

American University

2017 Progress Report

Year Committed: 2015

Length of Commitment: 3 years

Select a Progress Report:

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Committed to meet 23 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 2017
Reporting Date
November 2017

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

Preplanned wellness meals are not available at American University, however students may meet with a registered dietitian to identify meal options that meet their dietary needs.
Implementation Date
September 2017
Reporting Date
November 2017

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

American University offers at least five types of fruits and vegetables and two 100% whole grain products at both lunch and dinner in the Terrace Dining Room at the Mary Graydon Center.
Implementation Date
September 2017
Reporting Date
November 2017

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

American University offers a total number of fried foods that is significantly lower the total number of platforms available at both lunch and dinner in the Terrace Dining Room. During the two days verified, no more than 2 fried items were offered from the 12 platforms available each meal.
Implementation Date
September 2017
Reporting Date
November 2017

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

American University identifies all food and beverage items with calories and other nutritional information at the point of presentation.
Implementation Date
September 2017
Reporting Date
November 2017

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

American University offers a wide variety of plant-based options, with at least one plant-based entrée or side item available at every platform serving meat.
Implementation Date
September 2017
Reporting Date
November 2017

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

American University offers a healthy catering menu that provides at least three types of fruit, three types of vegetables and two 100% whole grain products. The menu offers more than two selections that are fried; however, the catering team works closely with each customer to customize menus based on individual dietary needs and requests.
Implementation Date
September 2017
Reporting Date
November 2017

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

American University's Fitness Trail provides a two-mile walking route through campus. Trail markers are located every quarter mile along the route.
Implementation Date
September 2017
Reporting Date
November 2017

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

American University has posted signage, stop signs, traffic signals and HAWK (high intensity activated crosswalk) signals requiring cars to stop at all 36 crosswalks on campus.
Implementation Date
September 2017
Reporting Date
November 2017

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

American University students have access to Capital Bikeshare, which is metro DC's bike share service with 3,700 bikes and 440 stations across 5 jurisdictions in Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland. Two Capital Bikeshare stations are located on the American University campus that provide docking capacity for up to 34 bicycles.
Implementation Date
September 2017
Reporting Date
November 2017

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

American University provides students with free access to the Cassell Fitness Center and Jacobs Fitness Center for 15.6 hours per day, on average, each week.
Implementation Date
September 2017
Reporting Date
November 2017

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

American University offers a monthly “How-To” series designed to introduce students to new physical activities. The “How-To” events occur between one and three times monthly and feature activities including swimming, Pilates, yoga, kickboxing, weightlifting, ultimate Frisbee and beach volleyball.
Implementation Date
September 2017
Reporting Date
November 2017

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 six-lane, Greenberg Track is open and available for use by students, faculty, staff and the community on a daily basis. The track is shared by athletics, academic classes and rental groups and organizations; however, individuals may use the track during these activities.
Implementation Date
September 2017
Reporting Date
November 2017

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

The Jacobs Fitness Center offers free daily outdoor sports equipment rentals for students and members. Items available for rent include basketballs, volleyballs, soccer balls and footballs.
Implementation Date
September 2017
Reporting Date
November 2017

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

American University's comprehensive wellness program is planned and promoted by a committee of diverse campus faculty and staff representatives. Activities are designed for all students and based on the philosophy that wellness encompasses many dimensions, including physical, emotional, spiritual and social wellness. The Wellness Center provides students with wellness resources to promote healthy lifestyles, reduce high-risk behaviors and offer a safe, non-discriminatory environment. Free services and educational programs include one-on-one Health Education Counseling, Victim Advocacy, a Peer Wellness Education Program, Empower AU and Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The University's annual Healthy Campus Week offers daily events events such as Yogurt and Yoga and Color the Campus, designed to promote nutrition, physical activity, mental health and overall wellness.
Implementation Date
September 2017
Reporting Date
November 2017

Commitment Element
Implement a program/policy that identifies students who may be food insecure and provides options on campus.
Progress To Date

American University’s The Market is a student-operated food pantry, located on campus, designed with the intent to reduce food insecurity among students. The Market is managed by the collaborative oversight of the Office of the Vice President for Campus Life and the Center for Community Engagement and Service in partnership with the Capital Area Food Bank.

Partner Statement

“American University (AU) is excited to complete our Healthier Campus Initiative with the Partnership for a Healthier America. Over the past three years, our campus has worked diligently to meet our Healthier Campus objectives and to make a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the AU community. Throughout this initiative, we have improved the access to healthy food options, physical activity, and wellness programs. Among our objectives met within the past year include opening a campus Food Pantry to ensure that all AU students have access to healthy food. We also created an outdoor Fitness Trail, contributing to a built environment that promotes physical activity.

"As we move beyond our formal commitments with the PHA’s Healthier Campus Initiative, we are dedicated to continuing the work of making our campus a place where students will thrive and continue to have access to the resources needed to make healthy choices.”