The mission of the Healthy Campus Initiative (HCI) is to cultivate a culture and environment of health and well-being that is supportive of individuals and groups in pursuit of their optimal potential. This mission can only be accomplished through the outstanding efforts of our campus partners. Some examples include:
Admissions:
A guiding principle of the HCI is to develop opportunities to engage students across their lifespan at the University. By partnering with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, the mission and purpose is shared with prospective students and families even before they have committed to attend. Print materials and the tour guide staff incorporate our messaging into campus visits. Health and wellness are top priorities for Binghamton University.
CSA Farm Share:
Our on-campus CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Farm Share offerings began in 2019. Binghamton University is partnering this year with Russell Farms. Since 1984, Russell Farms has been providing premier local produce to the Endless Mountain Region and expanding to the Southern Tier of New York. Russell Farms serves local restaurants, schools and businesses with fresh local produce and other specialty items each season. The produce you receive from Russell Farms CSA is picked off the farm the day before you receive it. Because they have been farming for over 20 years, Russell's has established great connections with highly skilled local farmers who they collaborate with. This allows for a more extensive variety of local fruits and veggies throughout the season. Russell Farms also is the only CSA in the area that includes specialty items in their weekly shares. They have a full service scratch bakery in Montrose producing homemade baked goods, snack and trail mixes as well as include local cheese, farm fresh cage free brown eggs and more!
There are several CSA Farm Share options in the Broome County area. We encourage everyone to explore the many different farms that participate and consider joining one. A few are certified organic, many others offer specialty items to their customers.
LEARN MORE ABOUT LOCAL Farm Shares
Health and Wellness Incentive Reimbursement Pilot Program:
This pilot program allows University benefit-eligible faculty and staff* (temporary hourly University employees are not eligible for this program) to apply for a 50 percent reimbursement of their FitSpace fitness membership fee after completing a set number of exercise sessions.
EXPLORE THE REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM
Meditation Labyrinth:
Located next to Old Digman Hall, we have created a mindful meditation labyrinth where students and staff can slow down, walk the spiral path and relax.
EXPLORE THE MEDITATION LABYRINTH
Mental Health First Aid:
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches individuals how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. We train lay or "ordinary people" to be more prepared to assess for risk of suicide or harm, listen nonjudgementally, give reassurance and resources, encourage appropriate professional services, and encourage self help and support strategies. Everyone in regular contact with students has an important role in the effort to foster student well-being, in helping to protect students from developing mental health issues and in helping student access services that they would benefit from.
MHFA training is a sustainable, collaborative, skill-building approach to changing the overall health culture of our campus and positively impacting the student mental health epidemic. Several classes are taught each semester and use a blended learning format, including pre-course work and 6-8 hours of in-person training.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
Mindset Mentors:
The mission of the Mindset Mentors program is to help reveal resilience by providing tools and strategies to develop a powerful and positive mindset.
Plus 1:
Binghamton University and Binghamton University Dining Services (BUDS) have collaborated on a nutrition initiative called "Plus1," an easy way to add just one healthy food or drink option a day.
Gratitude Resources
Research shows that developing and practicing gratitude can noticeably improve your overall well-being and outlook on life. The HCI has curated handouts and worksheets containing helpful information and tips for practicing gratitude that you can use in your classrooms, programs, and/or offices.
