Creating Healthier Places

University of Wisconsin–Madison

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

    November 2015

    Reporting Date

    November 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

    University of Wisconsin-Madison offers at least one wellness meal at every breakfast, lunch and dinner served at its four campus dining halls. Wellness meals meet all PHA food and nutrition criteria and are promoted daily with signage in the dining halls.

  • Implementation Date

    November 2015

    Reporting Date

    November 2017

    Commitment Element

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

    Progress To Date

    The UWell Initiative at UW-Madison is an inclusive, cross-unit collaborative effort launched in 2011 to advance the health and wellbeing of the entire University of Wisconsin-Madison campus community. UWell targets all students, staff and faculty at UW-Madison and employs a comprehensive approach, including house fellow training and a variety of activities focused on shared wellness infrastructure across campus. Additionally, UWell conducts data monitoring and review to help guide the prioritization of efforts, communication and outreach. This includes cross-platform social media coordination, and advancement of programs and policies that support and enhance health and wellness across campus. The UWell Initiative is governed by the UWell Partnership Council (UPC), which provides cross-campus connections and collaboration supporting wellness-focused efforts. The UPC is co-chaired by the Employee Wellness Coordinator (Office of Human Resources, Learning and Talent Development) and the Student Wellness Coordinator (University Health Services, Healthy Campus). Active campus partners on the UPC include representatives from a broad range of campus units including, but not limited to, Housing, Student Life, Recreation, Facilities, Dining, Athletics, Health and Sustainability.

Partner Statement

“UW-Madison continues to work toward a campus community that supports and promotes student health and well-being through student, staff and faculty engagement. Targeted interventions coupled with policy, system and environmental changes continue to advance wellness across campus. Some highlights include the strategic incorporation of wellness into the ten-year Campus Master Plan; planning for two new recreational facilities; continued changes to the offerings in the on-campus dining facilities to support healthier choices; an increase in programming supporting all seven dimensions of wellness across campus; an expansion of employee wellness initiatives; and a focus on addressing health inequities, including food insecurity and disparate rates of depression in the student population.”