Creating Healthier Places

Binghamton University

2017 Progress Report

Year Committed: 2014
Length of Commitment: 3 years
Select a Progress Report:

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

    April 2017

    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

    Binghamton University offers at least three dessert options at both lunch and dinner that have no more than 150 calories as served. Dessert items are labeled at the point of presentation with calorie content.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2017

    Reporting Date

    April 2017

    Commitment Element

    Designate healthier food and beverage options using a healthy icon at the point of presentation.

    Progress To Date

    Binghamton University uses Sodexo’s Mindful icon to identify healthier food and beverage options at the point of presentation. All items that receive the Mindful icon meet calorie, sodium, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and trans fat standards approved by PHA. Signage is also posted with QR codes directing dining hall patrons to full nutritional information online.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2017

    Reporting Date

    April 2017

    Commitment Element

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

    Progress To Date

    Binghamton University is engaged in a wide range of sustainability efforts to increase local and sustainable procurement under the umbrella of the Sodexo Better Tomorrow Plan. At least 57% of food purchases come from regional sources (within 250 miles) with an additional 35% of food sourced just beyond New York State. Seafood and fish are procured from sustainable sources and all coffee is certified fair trade. The Binghamton Acres garden and Binghamton Food Co-op provide additional sources of local produce and groceries for the campus community.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2017

    Reporting Date

    April 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

    Binghamton University has two marked walking paths on campus. One is 2.3 miles in length and the other is 1.3 miles long. The University has created a Campus Walking Map brochure and a Nature Preserve map, which identify an additional 6 walking paths, an outdoor disc golf course and 11 miles of nature trails located within the on-campus Nature Preserve. To encourage use of the walking routes, the campus walking program, Steps to B-Healthy, engages over 200 registered members who compete for monthly prizes, and the University also hosts an annual National Walking Day event.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2017

    Reporting Date

    April 2017

    Commitment Element

    Implement an integrated, comprehensive wellness program for individuals on campus that is provided annually.

    Progress To Date

    Binghamton University’s Healthy Campus Initiative: B-Healthy: Choose well, Be Well, was convened through the Division of Student Affairs in 2012, with the aim of integrating student health and wellness into Binghamton University’s educational mission by developing policies and programs to enhance the academic environment. The goal of the Healthy Campus Initiative is to create an environment and identity that encourages and supports healthy living to improve the health and well-being of the campus community. The initiative includes members of University senior management, a campus-wide leadership board representing a broad coalition of departments and programs that intersect in health and wellness, and student representation on each of the initiative's eight subcommittees.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2017

    Reporting Date

    April 2017

    Commitment Element

    Implement a program/policy that identifies students who may be ‘food insecure’ and provides options on campus.

    Progress To Date

    The Bear Necessities Food Pantry was established to provide a variety of food and personal care items for Binghamton University students in need. Between 2014 and 2016 the pantry served 869 students. In addition, the Food Recovery Network at Binghamton University recovered and donated 38,864 pounds of food to Bear Necessities and other local nonprofits in the Spring 2017 semester. This recovery yield was the highest total since beginning participation in the initiative.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2017

    Reporting Date

    April 2017

    Commitment Element

    Implement a service learning program available to all students that focuses on food and nutrition and/or physical activity/movement and/or coaching.

    Progress To Date

    Binghamton University offers a Health and Wellness Studies, Nutrition and Fitness Internship allowing students the opportunity to apply their academic learning to “real-world” working environments. Interns participate in service learning projects, campus community outreach and seminar classes to enhance learning in specific content areas and process outreach experiences. Interns also conduct a Nutrition Peer Educator Certification program to enhance the nutrition knowledge of other students, equipping them with the tools to create and conduct educational programing and events focused on healthy eating. Certification for the Peer Educator Program is awarded to students who complete a 6-hour training course, pass an exam and conduct one nutrition education outreach program during the semester of the training course.

Partner Statement

“Binghamton University is thrilled to have completed our three-year commitment to the Partnership for a Healthier America. Becoming the healthiest campus remains a central goal of the University and student wellness is paramount to our success.

"Binghamton University’s Healthy Campus Initiative: B-Healthy: Choose well, Be Well, was convened through the Division of Student Affairs in 2012, with the aim of integrating student health and wellness into Binghamton University’s educational mission. The goal of the Healthy Campus Initiative is to create an environment and identity that encourages and supports healthy living to improve the health and well-being of the campus community. The initiative includes members of University senior management and a campus-wide leadership board representing a broad coalition of departments and programs that intersect in health and wellness.

"Over the last year, Binghamton University, in collaboration with Binghamton University Dining Services, was able to make substantial changes to sustainability practices and food procurement, added recipes for healthy desserts and offered an easily recognizable healthy icon at the point of presentation in our four residential facilities. Binghamton Bearcats care about each other. Programs like the Dining Hall Ambassadors and Nutrition and Fitness Internship prepare students to provide nutrition and exercise expertise to their peers. The Bear Necessities Food Pantry has been able to annually provide over 280 students in need with food and personal care items donated by others on campus.

"While our initial 23 PHA guidelines might be complete, we have just begun to scratch the surface of what the University can accomplish when we collaborate and envision a campus culture through the lens of health and wellness. We will continue to implement new ideas and evaluate our progress in the years to come.”