Creating Healthier Places

University of North Florida

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

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

    Progress To Date

    University of North Florida offers a wide range of plant based options, with at least one plant based entrée or side available at all platforms serving meat.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2018

    Reporting Date

    November 2017

    Commitment Element

    Offer a minimum of twenty (20) diverse recreation, physical activity/movement or competitive sports opportunities during each academic year.

    Progress To Date

    University of North Florida offers a diverse range of recreation, physical activity and competitive sports opportunities each year, including 25 unique group fitness classes, six different intramural sports opportunities, 28 club sports and the Osprey Challenge Course zipline.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2018

    Reporting Date

    November 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

    The University of North Florida Campus Recreation offers five different fitness orientations to meet the needs of students. Fitness orientations range from basic introduction of weight machines to incorporating more advanced boot camp exercises, high intensity training, functional training circuits and free weights. The Paul Shirley Assessment Center offers year round fitness assessments. Services include blood pressure screening, body composition testing, overall fitness assessment and a stretching program. Orientation and assessment services are offered free of charge.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2018

    Reporting Date

    November 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 University of North Florida Eco Adventures maintains five nature trails for use by students, faculty, staff and the community. Three main trails and two loop connector trails are open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset. Trail distances range from 0.19 to 2.85 miles.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2018

    Reporting Date

    November 2017

    Commitment Element

    Provide an outdoor fitness system.

    Progress To Date

    The University of North Florida provides two outdoor fitness systems. Eight fitness stations are available along the Blueberry Nature Trail including warm up, inclined body curl, chin up, heart check, push-up, sit-up, leg lift, balance beam, and a cool down station. Eco Adventures also offers an Osprey Challenge obstacle course, featuring both a high and low course.

  • 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

    University of North Florida offers three regular outdoor physical activity opportunities. The Buns and Guns group fitness class meets three times per week and incorporates plyometric exercises, body weight calisthenics and strength training in both in and outdoor settings. Sunrise yoga meets outdoors three times per week in the fall semester. Campus Recreation also facilitates regular running training groups to encourage students to participate in various races throughout the school year, including the Gate River Run and the Swoop the Loop 5K.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2018

    Reporting Date

    November 2017

    Commitment Element

    Make available certified personal trainers for all students.

    Progress To Date

    University of North Florida provides access to three certified personal trainers. Students, faculty, staff, alumni and Student Wellness Complex members may select individual or buddy training sessions for a nominal fee.

Partner Statement

“The University of North Florida established the Healthy Osprey Initiative as a campus-wide movement to transform the health and wellness of students, faculty and staff alike. The initiative’s goal is to build a healthy community that supports healthy lifestyle behaviors through individual, interpersonal and institutional transformation. Our commitment to Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) has steered Healthy Osprey to new heights in health and wellness, especially in physical activity and nutrition. Healthy Osprey put these commitments into action by extending fitness and recreation for all students through our comprehensive Osprey Fit wellness program, offering year-round diverse physical activity opportunities and having monthly “how-to” classes to introduce new physical activities such as ballet strength, paddle boarding, and archer. In putting these commitments into action, we were recognized as one of “Greatist” healthiest colleges in the nation during 2016. As a university, we are able to educate and motivate the UNF community toward the path of healthy behaviors. With the support and framework from PHA, we are confident in reaching milestones toward the ultimate goal of a healthier university that encompasses Mind, Body and Osprey Spirit.”