Healthier Campus Initiative

Belmont University

2019 Progress Report

Year Committed: 2019

Length of Commitment: 3 years

View Partner

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
September 2021
Reporting Date
November 2019

Commitment Element
Offer tray-less dining in at least seventy-five percent (75%) of dining venues.
Progress To Date

Belmont University implemented tray-less dining in its Harrington Place dining venue and Corner Court convenience store in 2007.
Implementation Date
September 2021
Reporting Date
November 2019

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

Belmont University makes free water available in all dining, recreational and educational facilities through a combination of water fountains, bottle filling stations and water dispensers.
Implementation Date
September 2021
Reporting Date
November 2019

Commitment Element
Make available Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) for personal nutrition assessments and counseling to all students.
Progress To Date

Belmont University provides students with access to a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist to conduct individual nutrition assessments and nutrition counseling on a range of topics such as food allergies, celiac disease, diabetes, eating healthy on campus, vegan and vegetarian nutrition, weight management and other special dietary needs. The dietitian teaches monthly wellness convocations that are open to all university students and employees and also works with student-athletes on campus to provide evidence-based nutrition strategies, emphasizing food as fuel to create a foundation for life-long health.
Implementation Date
September 2021
Reporting Date
November 2019

Commitment Element
Offer, without a user fee, a minimum of one (1) monthly Òhow toÓ physical activity/ movement class that introduces students to new activities.
Progress To Date

Belmont University's FitRec designed its Instructional Series with micro-sessions two times per week to introduce students to new physical activities in the fitness and recreation center. Sessions include a variety of topics such as resistance bands, programming a workout, kettlebells, sandbags, foam rolling and the basics of yoga. By offering these opportunities, FitRec hopes to break down the barriers that have traditionally kept participants from partaking in fitness activities. The sessions are intentionally kept to a small number of participants to ensure that all who attend have the opportunity to ask questions about the topic and learn from one of FitRec's certified personal trainers.
Implementation Date
September 2021
Reporting Date
November 2019

Commitment Element
Offer a rental outdoor recreation equipment program for students.
Progress To Date

Belmont University Outdoor Recreation offers a range of outdoor equipment to students for a nominal fee. Equipment offered to students includes tents, sleeping bags, ground pads, backpacks and climbing shoes.

Partner Statement

Belmont University joined Partnership for a Healthier America in spring 2019, and in just a few short months, we made great strides to improving the health of our students and university as a whole. A few highlights from our 2019 commitment include tray-less dining to promote mindful eating and decreased food waste, access to free water and/or bottle filling stations in each academic and resident building on campus, as well as access to a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for all students through individual appointments and monthly nutrition education classes. The dietitian also organizes events throughout the semester, including campus farmers markets and a blender bike smoothie event to encourage increased fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy lifestyle. Fitness and recreation also raised the bar by granting students access to personal trainers and offering equipment and class instructional sessions geared toward breaking down common barriers to fitness. Outdoor recreation also provides Belmont students with access to a variety of outdoor equipment for a nominal fee to encourage fitness in an outdoor setting. Belmont University is committed to improving the health of our university and is excited to move forward with our nutrition and fitness goals for 2020.