Creating Healthier Places

University of California, Davis

2017 Progress Report

Year Committed: 2016
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 2019

    Reporting Date

    November 2017

    Commitment Element

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

    Progress To Date

    Beginning in Spring of 2008, University of California, Davis has offered trayless dining in three out of four campus dining venues.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2019

    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

    University of California, Davis offers at least five types of fruits and vegetables and two 100% whole grain products at both lunch and dinner in the ASUCD Coffee House and the Dining Commons Cuatro, Segundo and Tercero.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2019

    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 breakfast, lunch, and dinner (if served) across all venues.

    Progress To Date

    University of California, Davis offers a very limited number of fried foods during lunch and dinner, which does not exceed the number of platforms available. The ASUCD Coffee House offers no fried items at any meal and the Dining Commons only offers two fried items at each Dining Commons facility during lunch and one item during dinner.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2019

    Reporting Date

    November 2017

    Commitment Element

    Offer a comparable plant-based food option at every platform serving meat.

    Progress To Date

    University of California, Davis offers a range of plant-based food options in its four dining facilities. At least one plant-based entrée or side is available at every platform serving meat.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2019

    Reporting Date

    November 2017

    Commitment Element

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

    Progress To Date

    The University of California Office of the President Sustainable Practices Policy was established in 2003, with a section on Sustainable Foodservices added in 2009. The policy articulates several goals for sustainable foodservices, including that all campus & Medical Center foodservice operations shall strive to procure 20% sustainable food products by the year 2020. Dining Services met this goal 7 years early in 2013. Today, Resident Dining procures 29% of all food purchases from sustainable sources. 27% of all meat and seafood purchases are sustainable, 100% of all eggs are cage-free and humane certified, 50% of dairy purchases are local and humane certified and 70% of produce is local (within 250 miles) and/or organic certified. In addition, each campus & Medical Center is working to provide patrons access to educational materials, engage in activities with surrounding communities that support common goals, and also strive to earn third-party “green business” certifications for sustainable dining operations.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2019

    Reporting Date

    November 2017

    Commitment Element

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

    Progress To Date

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

  • Implementation Date

    September 2019

    Reporting Date

    November 2017

    Commitment Element

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

    Progress To Date

    University of California, Davis provides students with access to a Registered Dietitian for consultations including nutritional assessments, counseling and education on a variety a health issues such as weight management, diabetes, heart disease, eating disorders, gastro-intestinal disturbances and general healthy lifestyle habits.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2019

    Reporting Date

    November 2017

    Commitment Element

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

    Progress To Date

    University of California, Davis provides access to 29,054 bicycle parking spaces on campus, or 1 space for every 2.2 individuals on campus. University of California, Davis Transportation and Parking Services data indicates that the University supports at least 20,000 bikes on campus daily.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2019

    Reporting Date

    November 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

    University of California, Davis received the Bicycle Friendly University designation at the Platinum level from the League of American Bicyclists in 2017. This award comes following a previous Platinum designation four years prior, at which time University Of California, Davis was only the second university to be named a Platinum Bicycle Friendly University.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2019

    Reporting Date

    November 2017

    Commitment Element

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

    Progress To Date

    The University of California, Davis Transportation and Parking Services manages the campus-wide "goClub" program designed to encourage students, faculty and staff who commute to the Davis campus to choose an alternative to driving alone (i.e., carpool, vanpool, bike, walk, bus and train.) The goClub program incentives vary based on the type of transportation and include complimentary parking permits for occasional use, discounted carpool parking permit rates, shower and locker access, discounted bike and train passes, emergency ride home options and pre-tax payroll deductions. During the 2016-2017 school year, 2,792 students and 1,400 employees participated in the program.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2019

    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

    University of California, Davis provides students with free access to the Activities and Recreation Center for 17.4 hours on average per day. Monday through Thursday, the facility is open for 19 hours daily.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2019

    Reporting Date

    November 2017

    Commitment Element

    Offer a rental outdoor recreation equipment program for students.

    Progress To Date

    University of California, Davis’ Outdoor Adventures program offers a range of outdoor rental equipment at a nominal fee. Equipment options are available for camping, mountaineering, rock climbing, snow gear and water sports.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2019

    Reporting Date

    November 2017

    Commitment Element

    Offer at least twenty (20) outdoor recreation clinics and/or trips during each academic year.

    Progress To Date

    University of California, Davis' Outdoor Adventures offers hiking, camping, backpacking, whitewater rafting and kayaking trips to natural areas in California and beyond. In addition, Outdoor Adventures offers comprehensive Wilderness First Aid and First Responder courses. In the 2016-2017 school year, Outdoor Adventures offered 126 classes or trips, with 38 in Fall 2016, 37 classes in Winter 2017 and 51 in Spring/Summer 2017.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2019

    Reporting Date

    November 2017

    Commitment Element

    Make available certified personal trainers for all students.

    Progress To Date

    University of California, Davis provides students with access to 14 certified personal trainers offering an array of services including personalized programs, buddy training and fitness assessments.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2019

    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

    As a response to the University of California Global Food Initiative, the University of California, Davis established the Aggie Food Connection (AFC) to connect the student population with easy, immediate and confidential food resources, while working to overcome stigma associated with needing help. Resources available through the AFC include the ASUCD Pantry which provides free meals, product, grocery and toiletry items to students, regardless of financial background, and the Fruit and Veggie Up initiative which collects imperfect fruits and vegetables and offers them free to students. The University also hosts a Swipe Out Hunger program twice per year where students may donate unused meal swipes from their student card to support food assistance programs on campus and throughout the community. In the 2016-2017 school year, $30,744 was donated including 10,248 swipes donated by Student Housing Residents.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2019

    Reporting Date

    November 2017

    Commitment Element

    Offer non-academic cooking skills classes that are available to students and incorporate fruits and vegetables.

    Progress To Date

    The University of California, Davis Student Health & Counseling Services (SHCS) Teaching Kitchen works to educate students in evidence-based nutritional concepts and cooking skills to optimize health. The SHCS Teaching Kitchen offers approximately 15 free hands-on and/or chef taught classes per academic year. All classes teach students to prepare high-quality meals that include fruits and vegetables, while incorporating concepts such as sustainability, cost-effective meal planning and time management. Students complete evaluations after participating in the cooking class to assess the program, the knowledge acquired and skills learned.

Partner Statement

“UC Davis is committed to fostering student success and promoting lifelong well-being. Using the Healthier Campus Initiative guidelines as a touchstone, campus stakeholders work together to cultivate a campus environment where ‘making the healthier choice is the easier choice.’”