On September 21, take part in the Largest Physical Activity Challenge

Open and free to all colleges and universities, #HEALTHYCAMPUSWEEK2022 is happening September 19–23 and will feature the Largest Physical Activity Challenge on Wednesday, September 21. Returning for the first time since the pandemic started, the Largest Physical Activity Challenge will be cohosted by the Healthier Campus Initiative and The Hope Center, with Columbia Sportswear continuing as the sponsor and providing backpacks and hats to the winner!

#HEALTHYCAMPUSWEEK2022 schedule and 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 2022.

While participating schools are encouraged to be flexible with the dates and themes happening on their campus September 19 through September 23, here is a suggested outline for activities:

Monday, September 19

Share a video about your campus’s farmers market or sustainability initiatives. Check out this example from Howard University.

Tuesday, September 20

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 21

Host a physical activity challenge and enter your initiative into the Largest Physical Activity Challenge contest for 2022. Check out the official rules for entering and invite your students to participate for their chance to win a share of one of four $200 gift card awards (to be distributed at a participating campus’ discretion) or a grand prize of $1,000 in outdoor gear. Be sure to tag our partners in the photos and videos you share on social media: @healthiercampus, @hope4college, and @columbia1938.

Thursday, September 22

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.

Check out some of the programming and special events listed on the NIRSA Assembly’s Guide to Health & Wellbeing Resources to get ideas.

Friday, September 23

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, @hope4college, and @columbia1938.

Why your campus should participate

According to NIRSA Executive Director Pam Watts, NIRSA’s COVID Impact Results showed that departmental operations and program leaders expected a return to a “new normal” at only a 17% rate for Spring 2021; but respondents projected that return to increase to 80% by Spring 2022. That sense of optimism is credited to the ability of students, faculty, and staff to adapt to new circumstances.

However, there’s still plenty more work to be done. According to Inside Higher Ed’s Melissa Ezarik, 44% of students reported getting less physical activity than prior to the pandemic and 38% also fell into less structured eating habits. That’s why it’s imperative that colleges and universities continue to encourage students to remain active in new and creative ways.

As colleges and universities continue to adjust to a “new normal,” they need to provide activities—both in-person and virtually—for all their students, whether they are residential, commuters, or those who aren’t comfortable engaging in large crowds. The Largest Physical Activity Challenge encourages activities and opportunities that support inclusion.

Healthy Campus Week 2022 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 2022 is an initiative to further those efforts.

Also, to make inroads in addressing equity, The Hope Center is partnering with Healthier Campus Initiative to support students facing hardship by focusing on food and housing insecurity by cohosting #HEALTHYCAMPUSWEEK2022.