Creating Healthier Places

Mississippi State University

2017 Progress Report

Year Committed: 2015
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

    September 2018

    Reporting Date

    November 2017

    Commitment Element

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

    Progress To Date

    Mississippi State University makes free water available in all dining, recreational and educational facilities through a combination of water fountains, water dispensers and bottle filling stations.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2018

    Reporting Date

    November 2017

    Commitment Element

    Provide an outdoor fitness system

    Progress To Date

    Mississippi State University offers an outdoor fitness system adjacent to the University's Sanderson Center recreation facility and Chadwick Lake. Access to the fitness equipment is free of charge and open to the campus and community, 24-hours per day.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2018

    Reporting Date

    November 2017

    Commitment Element

    Offer at least one (1) free, organized and facilitated, outdoor physical activity/movement opportunity each week

    Progress To Date

    Mississippi State University offers the WalkFit program free to all students, faculty and staff. Three days per week, participants are invited to power walk around the campus with optional exercise movements offered along the walk.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2018

    Reporting Date

    November 2017

    Commitment Element

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

    Progress To Date

    MSU on the Move is Mississippi State University’s healthy living initiative funded by a grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation. The program is led by the Department of Health Promotion and Wellness and planned by a committee of stakeholders representing student, staff and faculty, including University Recreation, Dining Services and the Maroon Volunteer Center. MSU on the Move provides opportunities for the campus community to engage in healthy activities related to physical fitness, nutrition and overall wellness. Some of the MSU on the Move programs include Women on Weights, encouraging women to increase fitness activities, the Healthy Dawgs, health promotion and weight loss initiative, and the weekly WalkFit walking group. Resident assistants are trained on wellness programming and the University’s inclusion policy ensures programming is planned for all students. The MSU on the Move program recently won an award through the Division of Student Affairs for the program making the greatest impact on the campus and University.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2018

    Reporting Date

    November 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

    Mississippi State University’s Health Service Volunteer program offers a service learning opportunity available to all undergraduate students who meet GPA requirements. Health service volunteer educators are trained students who facilitate presentations, group discussions, informational displays and awareness campaigns on a range of health and wellness topics including, but not limited to, nutrition, stress management, sexuality, drug and alcohol education and general wellness. Each health service volunteer is responsible for attending weekly meetings/trainings; designing, organizing, and participating in awareness activities and health programs; staffing information tables and displays; designing and/or distributing flyers, brochures, and posters and participating in campus-wide wellness projects. In Spring 2017, 89 students participated in the Health Service Volunteer program.

Partner Statement

“Over the past year, Mississippi State has incorporated several wellness initiatives including a facilitated outdoor walking program, and comprehensive wellness education programs including nutrition and exercise components. We have also made free water available in every building across campus. We are excited to continue our efforts to make Mississippi State a healthier community and better place to live.”