Creating Healthier Places

Liberty University

2018 Progress Report

Year Committed: 2016

Length of Commitment: 3 years

Select a Progress Report:

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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 2018

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

Liberty University offers at least one wellness meal at breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Tilley Student Center and Food Court at Reber-Thomas. The "PHA Wellness Meal of the Day" is identified at the "Ask the Dietitian" message board in both dining facilities. Wellness meal criteria and serving sizes are also available on the Liberty University website.
Implementation Date
April 2019
Reporting Date
June 2018

Commitment Element
Offer and identify as healthier at point of presentation at least three (3) desserts at both lunch and dinner that have no more than 150 calories as served.
Progress To Date

Liberty University offers at least three desserts at both lunch and dinner that have no more than 150 calories as served. Healthier desserts are labeled at the point of presentation with calories and an "I'm Lo-Cal" healthy icon.
Implementation Date
April 2019
Reporting Date
June 2018

Commitment Element
Offer a comparable plant-based food option at every platform serving meat.
Progress To Date

Liberty University offers a range of plant-based food options, with at least one plant-based entrée or side at every platform serving meat. Plant-based options are also identified at the "Ask the Dietitian" message board in the Tilley Student Center and Food Court at Reber-Thomas.
Implementation Date
April 2019
Reporting Date
June 2018

Commitment Element
Implement a local food procurement program that increases procurement of local and sustainable foods.
Progress To Date

Liberty University implemented a local food procurement program in 2008 and works closely with local produce distributors and local dairies to maximize purchases from local farms. Currently, local procurement accounts for 10% of produce and dairy purchases.
Implementation Date
April 2019
Reporting Date
June 2018

Commitment Element
Make free water available in all dining, recreational and educational facilities.
Progress To Date

Liberty University makes free water available with 317 water fountains and 43 bottle fillers in the 20 dining, recreational and educational facilities on campus.
Implementation Date
April 2019
Reporting Date
June 2018

Commitment Element
Provide at least one (1) bicycle parking space on campus for every fifteen (15) individuals on campus.
Progress To Date

Liberty University provides access to 84 bicycle racks and 2,210 bicycle parking spaces on campus. This offers one bicycle parking space for every 8.7 individuals on campus.
Implementation Date
April 2019
Reporting Date
June 2018

Commitment Element
Dedicate at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the primary campus recreation center floor space to areas for physical activity.
Progress To Date

Liberty University's LaHaye Recreation and Fitness Center offers 135,404 square feet of space dedicated to physical activity including training and workout areas, group exercise studios, a rock wall, an aquatics center, an indoor track, soccer fields and basketball, volleyball and racquetball courts. Physical activity spaces account for 86.5% of total floor space within the facility.
Implementation Date
April 2019
Reporting Date
June 2018

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

Each Liberty student, faculty and staff is invited to schedule one free fitness orientation and fitness assessment, annually, with one of the recreation center's qualified personal trainers.
Implementation Date
April 2019
Reporting Date
June 2018

Commitment Element
Offer at least one (1) free, organized and facilitated, outdoor physical activity/movement opportunity each week.
Progress To Date

Liberty University Outdoor Recreation provides outdoor trips, trainings and other events for students throughout the school year. Outdoor Recreation offers at least one free, organized and facilitated, outdoor physical activity opportunity per week. Sixteen free outdoor events are scheduled for Fall 2018.
Implementation Date
April 2019
Reporting Date
June 2018

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

Liberty University offers a Peer Health Education program as a service to all residential students in order to equip, educate and empower them in developing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Student Peer Health Educators are trained on holistic wellness topics and serve as leaders to teach, encourage and model responsible and healthy lifestyle choices. Peer educators also assist with health and wellness initiatives and connect students with health resources on campus. In the Spring of 2018, 11 students served as Peer Health Educators.
Implementation Date
April 2019
Reporting Date
June 2018

Commitment Element
Offer non-academic cooking skills classes that are available to students and incorporate fruits and vegetables.
Progress To Date

Liberty University offers a monthly cooking class or "Culinary Pop-Up" around campus to demonstrate how to prepare and assemble meals with unique ingredients. All cooking classes and demonstrations incorporate fruits and vegetable ingredients.

Partner Statement

“Liberty University began our partnership with Partnership for a Healthier America in 2016. By 2019, we reached our goal of completing 23 commitments focused on nutrition, physical activity, and overall wellness as part of the Healthier Campus Initiative! Through collaboration with Campus Recreation, Liberty Dining, many other campus partners, we will continue to foster a healthy campus for our community. We will continue to challenge students and staff to make wise choices regarding nutrition, physical activity, and overall wellness. The opportunities to eat well, move more, and be well on our campus have grown since we began our commitment to create a healthier campus. As we move forward, we will continue to teach students and staff that holistic wellness is a lifestyle.

"Liberty University is committed to continually integrating the nine dimensions of wellness: physical, emotional, spiritual, social, environmental, intellectual, financial, occupational and digital throughout our campus. Liberty University is excited to continue fostering a culture of wellness for both students and staff.”