Creating Healthier Places

University of North Florida

2018 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 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

    University of North Florida offers at least one wellness meal at breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Osprey Cafe. Wellness meals are featured in online menus.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2018

    Reporting Date

    November 2018

    Commitment Element

    Designate healthier food and beverage options using a healthy icon at the point of presentation.

    Progress To Date

    University of North Florida identifies healthier options with the Healthy Osprey icon at the point of presentation. The Healthy Osprey icon highlights food and beverage options on campus that are nutrient dense, lower in saturated fat and sodium and recommended by the University's Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2018

    Reporting Date

    November 2018

    Commitment Element

    Offer a healthier catering menu that only includes foods and beverages that meet healthier food and nutrition guidelines.

    Progress To Date

    The University of Florida Healthy Choices catering menu features a selection of entrees, snacks and full meals that meet the Healthy Osprey criteria. Options are nutrient dense, lower in saturated fat and sodium and recommended by the University's Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2018

    Reporting Date

    November 2018

    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 North Florida provides students with free access to the Student Wellness Complex for 15.6 hours per day, on average, each week. The Osprey Fountains residence hall also provides residents with access to a fitness center 24 hours and day, seven days per week.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2018

    Reporting Date

    November 2018

    Commitment Element

    Offer, without a user fee, a minimum of one (1) monthly 'how to' physical activity/ movement class that introduces students to new activities.

    Progress To Date

    University of North Florida offers a range of free beginner exercise workshops to introduce students, faculty and staff to new fitness skills and techniques. Workshops are offered weekly and feature activities such as backpacking, indoor rock climbing, ballet, yoga, paddle boarding, archery and trail running.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2018

    Reporting Date

    November 2018

    Commitment Element

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

    Progress To Date

    Osprey Fit is an 8-week program designed to improve the health of all students, faculty and staff at the University of North Florida. Participants join scheduled walks, attend workshops on wellness topics and engage in Healthy Osprey Challenges, all while working toward an individual goal of walking at least 10,000 steps each day. Resident Assistants are trained on the program and Osprey Fit is widely advertised and marketed throughout campus and online. A wellness committee of student and staff health educators plan and implement the programming.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2018

    Reporting Date

    November 2018

    Commitment Element

    Offer non-academic cooking skills classes that are available to students.

    Progress To Date

    During the 2017-2018 year, the University of North Florida offered five non-academic cooking classes to students. Cooking classes reached more than 191 participants.

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 the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) has steered Healthy Osprey to new heights in health and wellness, especially in physical activity and nutrition. UNF completed this three year partnership by meeting 23 guidelines, all with an eye toward shaping good habits for our future leaders and parents. Over the last three years, UNF has been able to provide healthier food and beverage options in dining venues, create more opportunities for physical activity and offer innovative wellness programming on campus. As a university, we have been able to educate and motivate the UNF community toward the path of healthy behaviors. With the support and a framework from PHA, we have reached milestones toward the ultimate goal of a holistically healthy university that encompasses Body, Mind and Spirit.”