Creating Healthier Places

University of Houston

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

    The University of Houston implemented trayless dining in all campus dining venues during the 2008-2009 school year.

  • 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

    The University of Houston displays nutrition cards on all available foods and beverages to provide customers with calories per serving and other nutrition information at the point of presentation.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2019

    Reporting Date

    June 2017

    Commitment Element

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

    Progress To Date

    The University of Houston provides free water in all dining, recreational and educational facilities through water fountains, water dispensers and bottle-filling stations. The UH2O initiative has resulted in 69 new bottle filling stations being installed across campus and the development of a corresponding map to help students identify UH2O filling station locations.

  • 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

    University of Houston students have access to a Registered Dietitian for nutrition assessments and counseling on a range of topics, including medical nutrition therapy, weight loss, sports nutrition, healthy eating and food allergies.

  • 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

    University of Houston’s Parking and Transportation Services offers eligible faculty, staff and students the opportunity to participate in the COAST (Coogs on Alternative and Sustainable Transportation) incentive program. By joining COAST, students, faculty and staff receive discounts or subsidies for carpooling or utilizing public transportation. In January 2017, 1889 individuals participated in the program.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2019

    Reporting Date

    June 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 Houston students have access to the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center, on average, for 15.07 hours per day.

  • 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

    The University of Houston offers a wide variety of physical activity, sports and fitness opportunities each academic year, including at least 23 unique club sports, 15 diverse intramural activities and 13 different group fitness classes.

  • 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

    University of Houston personal trainers are available three days per week, for three hours each day, to provide free fitness zone orientations, free body composition and cardiovascular fitness health assessments and to answer health and fitness questions.

  • 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

    A one-third mile outdoor track, located outside of the University of Houston Campus Recreation and Wellness Center, is open and available 24 hours per day for use by student, staff, faculty and community members.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2019

    Reporting Date

    June 2017

    Commitment Element

    Offer a rental outdoor recreation equipment program for students.

    Progress To Date

    The University of Houston Outdoor Adventure equipment rental shop provides a diverse selection of equipment to rent, including gear for camping, backpacking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, surfing, SUPing and other individual items. Daily, weekend and weekly rentals are available to all Campus Recreation and Wellness Center members for a nominal fee.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2019

    Reporting Date

    June 2017

    Commitment Element

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

    Progress To Date

    The University of Houston Outdoor Adventure program offered 29 outdoor recreation clinics and trips during the 2016-2017 school year.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2019

    Reporting Date

    June 2017

    Commitment Element

    Make available certified personal trainers for all students.

    Progress To Date

    University of Houston students and Campus Recreation and Wellness Center members have access to 19 certified personal trainers for individual and small group training sessions.

  • 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

    The Urban Experience Program (UEP) Food Assistance Program provides up to 60 students with a combination of assistance packages to alleviate food insecurity on campus. UEP students may receive meal cards to access the dining halls on campus, cash assistance from Texas Health and Human Services, and year-round housing. In addition, students have the opportunity to meet with Food Bank representative during monthly visits. Healthy snack options are also available to students in the UEP office.

Partner Statement

“Since signing on to the Partnership for a Healthier America, Healthier Campus Initiative, the University of Houston has taken several steps in its quest to create a culture of health and wellness on campus. These include developing an annual RA physical activity and nutrition training, enhancing our ride-share and public transportation program, and implementing a bi-weekly Farmer’s Market for students and staff. As we begin Year Two of our commitment, we will be working on the development of one-, two- and three-mile walking paths, installing an outdoor fitness system, and later in the year, a bike share program! We will also be working with our new dining services vendor to address several food and nutrition guidelines as well as to increase the number of healthy vending options on campus.”