06/28/2016
SUNY Cortland has long been considered a health-conscious campus, in large part because of strong academic programs rooted in physical activity and wellness and an active student body. That much was confirmed recently after the College pledged to become one of the earliest campus participants in a growing national movement.
SUNY Cortland is one of six new institutions committed to the Partnership for a Healthier America’s (PHA) Healthier Campus Initiative, joining 38 other campuses across the country. The effort involves a promise to provide specific opportunities in the areas of food and nutrition, physical activity and health-focused programming.
“In many ways, our participation in this important initiative reaffirms what many know to be true: SUNY Cortland stands out as one of the healthiest campuses in the nation,” said College President Erik J. Bitterbaum. “One of our institutional priorities is the well-being of all campus community members. I’m very proud that we meet or exceeded many of the partnership’s requirements.”
In fact, the College already fulfills 23 of the PHA’s guidelines. Those range from employing a trained nutritionist on campus to offering a Community Bike Program through Outdoor Pursuits to scheduling a robust series of Wellness Wednesday events throughout the academic year. SUNY Cortland’s participation in the Healthier Campus Initiative means that it will continue expanding these services over the next three years.
“As a college, it’s our duty to give students opportunities to do well not just in their studies and chosen professions, but to guide them and provide ways to stay healthy,” said Deborah Van Langen, an assistant professor of kinesiology who also teaches a service-learning course that focuses on exercise prescription. “Being involved in this initiative will be beneficial for everyone on our campus who takes an interest in nutrition, physical activity and well-being.”
 |
| SUNY Cortland representatives attended the Building a Healthier Future Summit in Washington, D.C., where First Lady Michelle Obama delivered the keynote address. |
Van Langen and Lauren Herman ’12, M.S.T. ’14, the College’s health educator, represented SUNY Cortland at the fifth annual Building a Healthier Future Summit on May 19 in Washington, D.C., where First Lady Michelle Obama delivered the keynote address. Both noted that the PHA’s network is much larger than higher education, extending to major corporate partners such as Mercedes-Benz, Nike and Walmart.
“A lot of the groups that we spoke with mentioned the importance of having support from leadership,” Herman said. “At SUNY Cortland, we know we’re ahead in that respect because we already have the programs in place and key support from the top.”
In addition to the College, five other campuses joined PHA’s Healthier Campus Initiative in late May: Grand Valley State University, Fort Lewis College, University of Houston, Emporia State University and Liberty University. The College is the second SUNY institution, along with Binghamton University, to make the commitment, which spans across 29 states to reach 1.2 million students, faculty and staff.
Besides Herman and Van Langen, several faculty and staff members contributed to a Healthier Campus committee chaired by John Cottone, dean of the School of Professional Studies. They included: Barbara Barton, assistant professor of health; Alexis Bravos, assistant professor of health; Philip Buckenmeyer associate professor and chair of kinesiology; Andrea Hart, nutritionist for Auxiliary Services Corporation; Bonni Hodges, professor and chair of health; Justin Kompf ’12, strength and conditioning coordinator; Erica Kristel ’16, a community health major from Schenectady, N.Y.; Nicole Lindel ’16, an exercise science major from East Meadow, N.Y.; Eve Mascoli, assistant director of recreational sports for facilities and aquatics; Frederic Pierce, director of public relations; Judy Sinicropi ’16, a recreation major from Seneca Falls, N.Y.; and JoAnna Tobias, secretary for geography and philosophy.