Creating Healthier Places

Grand Valley State University

2017 Progress Report

Year Committed: 2016
Length of Commitment: 3 years
Select a Progress Report:

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

    April 2019

    Reporting Date

    June 2017

    Commitment Element

    Offer tray-less dining in at least seventy-five percent (75%) of dining venues.

    Progress To Date

    Grand Valley State University began to transition to tray-less dining in 2009, starting with the Fresh Food Company. Since then, through new construction and renovation the University, has phased out all trays in campus dining venues.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2019

    Reporting Date

    June 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

    Grand Valley State University offers eight different "Healthy Plates," providing at least one wellness meal at each breakfast, lunch and dinner served. All "Healthy Plate" meals meet PHA food and nutrition criteria and are displayed alongside a flyer listing meal components and serving sizes.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2019

    Reporting Date

    June 2017

    Commitment Element

    Label food and beverage items offered with calories per serving at the point of presentation OR Designate healthier food and beverage options using a healthy icon at the point of presentation.

    Progress To Date

    Grand Valley State University uses the Healthy Choice GV Approved icon to identify healthier food and beverage options at the point of presentation. All items that receive the Healthy Choice icon meet food and nutrition criteria approved by PHA.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2019

    Reporting Date

    June 2017

    Commitment Element

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

    Progress To Date

    Grand Valley State University Campus Dining continuously works to increase procurement of local and sustainable foods. Currently, 37.5% of food and beverage purchases are from local and community-based vendors including from "Michigan Grown" produce farms, local suppliers, a local dairy, two Monterey Bay Seafood Watch Vendors, three organic certified vendors and one cage free vendor. In addition, produce from the Sustainable Agriculture Program, on-campus garden, is projected to provide more than 100 pounds of salad greens per week to Campus Dining, during the academic year.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2019

    Reporting Date

    June 2017

    Commitment Element

    Make free water available in all dining, recreational and educational facilities.

    Progress To Date

    Grand Valley State University provides access to free water in all dining, recreational and educational facilities, through a combination of water fountains and bottle fillers.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2019

    Reporting Date

    June 2017

    Commitment Element

    Make available Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) for personal nutrition assessments and counseling to all students.

    Progress To Date

    Grand Valley State University provides a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist to conduct individual nutrition assessments and counseling on a range of topics, including healthy eating strategies, weight management and disease management and prevention.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2019

    Reporting Date

    June 2017

    Commitment Element

    Provide at least one (1) bicycle parking space on campus for every fifteen (15) individuals on campus.

    Progress To Date

    Grand Valley State University provides one bicycle parking space for every two individuals on the Allendale campus and one bicycle parking space for every eight individuals on the Pew campus.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2019

    Reporting Date

    June 2017

    Commitment Element

    Offer a bicycle share/rental program and/or a subsidized bicycle purchase program for all individuals on campus.

    Progress To Date

    Grand Valley State University maintains a fleet of 84 bicycles available for rent by students, faculty and staff. Rentals are available on a weekly or semester basis for a nominal fee.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2019

    Reporting Date

    June 2017

    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

    In 2016, The League of American Bicyclists designated Grand Valley State University as a Bicycle Friendly University at the Silver level.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2019

    Reporting Date

    June 2017

    Commitment Element

    Implement a campus-wide program/policy that incentivizes the use of public or campus provided transportation.

    Progress To Date

    Grand Valley State University Transportation Services offers a variety of sustainable transportation options to students, faculty and staff, including free rides on any Rapid bus route, a car-sharing membership program, rideshare carpool matching and a vanpool service.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2019

    Reporting Date

    June 2017

    Commitment Element

    Offer a minimum of forty (40) total: a. Diverse non-competitive group fitness opportunities during each academic year. AND b. Diverse competitive sports, intramural or informal recreation opportunities each academic year.

    Progress To Date

    Grand Valley State University offers a wide variety of group fitness, recreation and sports activities including 33 unique club sports, 16 diverse intramurals options, eight group fitness classes and a climbing center.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2019

    Reporting Date

    June 2017

    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

    All students are eligible to participate in the UFit program, which offers free fitness assessments and the development of a customized fitness plan. The Campus Recreation’s back to school RecFest event provides an opportunity for students to tour the Rec Center facilities and learn about campus health and wellness programs and services.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2019

    Reporting Date

    June 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 Kelly Family Sports Center outdoor track is open and available to students, faculty, staff and the community for more than three hours per day, except when being used by athletic teams or for special events.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2019

    Reporting Date

    June 2017

    Commitment Element

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

    Progress To Date

    Grand Valley State University’s 2016-2021 strategic plan includes an objective designed to support the wellness of students, faculty and staff. To achieve this strategic goal, the University established an interdepartmental wellness taskforce designed to assess, recommend and implement strategies to support total well-being of the campus community. The task force works together to increase coordination and awareness among campus partners to identify wellness opportunities for students, faculty, and staff and to develop a campus culture that supports good health and well-being.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2019

    Reporting Date

    June 2017

    Commitment Element

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

    Progress To Date

    Grand Valley State University has operated a student food pantry since 2009. The program was recently relocated and renamed Replenish. Replenish provides food and personal care items for all students who face financial obligations and struggles that compromise their food access. During the 2015-2016 school year, the Replenish program was utilized 704 times, benefiting more than 500 individuals.

Partner Statement

“Grand Valley State University is 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. The university is in process of implementing a 2 mile walking route on campus which was featured during the University’s second ‘Walk with the President’ event to celebrate Exercise is Medicine on Campus. The University also hosted its first Wellness Summit in the fall for students, faculty and staff. The theme for the fall summit, ‘find your balance’ will be highlighted for the winter 2018 semester event as well. Also new for GVSU in 2017, the faculty and staff Healthy Choices Wellness Program registration was incorporated into the annual benefits Open Enrollment online system.”