Open and free to all colleges and universities, #HEALTHYCAMPUSWEEK2023 is happening September 18–22 and will again feature the Largest Physical Activity Challenge on Wednesday, September 20. The Largest Physical Activity Challenge will be co-hosted by the Healthier Campus Initiative and Swipe Out Hunger, with Columbia Sportswear serving as the sponsor and providing prizes of hats, backpacks, and fanny packs to the winner!
Congratulations to Penn State University, winner of the 2022 Largest Physical Activity Challenge!
See the schedule and learn how to participate
Physical activity challenges, farmers markets, food bank or food pantry initiatives, and eating fruits and veggies in school colors are all great ways to welcome students back to campus in a mindful way during Healthy Campus Week 2023.
While participating schools are encouraged to be flexible with the dates and themes happening on their campus September 18 through September 22, here is a suggested outline for activities:
Monday, September 18
Share a video about your campus’s farmers market or sustainability initiatives. Check out this example from Oakwood University in 2022:
Tuesday, September 19
Raise awareness about food insecurity and what resources are available to members of your campus community to make food security more accessible. Highlight the food pantries or food banks that are available to your students, faculty, or staff.
Wednesday, September 20
Host a physical activity challenge and enter your initiative into the Largest Physical Activity Challenge contest for 2023. Check out the official rules for entering and invite your students to participate for their chance to win hats, backpacks, or fanny packs from Columbia Sportswear. Be sure to tag our partners in the photos and videos you share on social media: @healthiercampus, @swipeouthunger, and @columbia1938.
Thursday, September 21
Student success hinges on a student’s ability to implement healthy practices, coping mechanisms, and self-care in times of need. Host an activity or initiative dedicated to promoting mindfulness or mental health either on your campus or virtually.
Last year, Cheyney University Junior Shadia Tinsley Jones shared four suggestions for managing stress:
Temple University used visual cues to promote mindful swimming:
Friday, September 22
Share photos of students and staff members eating fruits and vegetables while wearing school, sorority, or fraternity colors.
Get creative and plan as many or as few activities as you’d like! Remember to tag our partners in the photos and videos you share on social media: @healthiercampus, @swipeouthunger, and @columbia1938.
Why your campus should participate
Colleges and universities are doing an exceptional job at supporting overall student wellbeing. However, there is still important work that needs to be done.
- 33% of college students reported eating somewhat more since the pandemic and 52% have engaged in low physical activity, according to a recent article in Nutrition and Health
- 44% of students reported symptoms of depression and 15% of students said they were considering suicide, according to a recent NEA Today article
- 56% of first-generation students identified as food insecure, according to Report: Hunger On Campus
Product Manager for Outdoor Fitness & Freestanding Play at GameTime, Jon Walker recently reminded NIRSA members that a lack of physical exercise worsens preexisting mental health conditions. Healthy Campus Week gives students, faculty, and staff a fun platform to continue to drive home the message that everyone on their campus is committed to wellbeing and student success; it’s a great way to engage students with fun activities while also educating them about wellbeing.
Healthy Campus Week 2023 partners
Healthier Campus Initiative has continued its commitment to college wellbeing with a particular focus on identifying resources necessary to addressing health disparities. Some members may remember that, on behalf of the Healthier Campus Initiative, I presented with Dr. Daniel Hatfield at the 2019 NIRSA Annual Conference in Boston. Dr. Hatfield is an applied community and behavioral interventionist working with ChildObesity180 at Tufts University. Part of our evaluation work was to determine what physical activity resources are needed to support the needs of a diverse student body. Healthy Campus Week 2023 is an initiative to further those efforts.
Also, to make inroads in addressing equity, Swipe Out Hunger is partnering with Healthier Campus Initiative to support students facing hardship by focusing on food and housing insecurity by co-hosting #HEALTHYCAMPUSWEEK2023.
- Contact Kimberly O’Shields for more information or with any questions.
- If you are interested in learning more about sponsoring content with NIRSA, check out the pitch us your ideas page of our website.
Kimberly O'Shields, M.S., is currently the President and CEO of Continuum Solutions LLC; you can email her at kimberly@continuumnow.com.
