OSU Institute of Technology has once again been recognized for its efforts to give students, faculty and staff better options when it comes to living a healthier lifestyle.

The Certified Healthy Oklahoma program is a statewide certification from the Oklahoma Department of Health that annually recognizes organizations and communities that foster environments that support healthy choices.

OSUIT was once again recognized as a Healthy Business, Healthy Campus and Healthy Restaurant.

To qualify, the organization must challenge people to eat better, move more and be tobacco free, as well as implement policies to create healthy environments.

OSUIT has participated in the Certified Healthy Oklahoma program since 2009.

“OSUIT recognizes that promoting health and wellness on campus not only creates a more positive work and campus environment, but also enhances productivity, morale, retention of employees and students, and decreases absenteeism at work and in the classroom,” said James Byrd, director of Student Union and Auxiliary Services.

The institution earned an excellent rating, the highest awarded, in the Healthy Business category for the second consecutive year.

“We applaud all Certified Healthy Oklahoma recipients for making the healthy choice the easy choice and for helping to create a culture of wellness in their communities,” said Brenda Potts, regional administrator for the Okmulgee County Health Department.

In the past several years OSUIT has offered some major initiatives to students, faculty and staff to promote a greater opportunity for achieving individual healthy lifestyles, Byrd said.

Some of these include: OSUIT Tobacco Free Campus initiative; employee health screenings; campus recreational trails; OSUIT Student Life activities and services; Campus Health Services clinics and services; and healthy food and beverage options in Cowboy Café and vending services.

“Through the support of President Bill Path and the OSUIT administration, as well as a result of the OSUIT Tobacco Free Campus Initiative, the university has been successful in being recognized in the Certified Healthy Oklahoma program for the past several years,” he said.