On April 7, 2026, University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham signed the Okanagan Charter, making the University a designated Health Promoting Campus. In the Big 10, the University becomes one of five universities to adopt the charter and one of two that serve their entire state as a multi-campus university.  

The Okanagan Charter is an international framework that calls on post-secondary schools to advance well-being in all aspects of university campus infrastructure — from administration and operations to creating academic spaces focused on student well-being academic mandates. 

“Signing the Okanagan Charter reflects the wise, pioneering leadership of our students who brought this forward and our resolute University‑wide commitment to put student well-being at the center of everything we do,” says Cunningham. “The Charter strongly aligns with our Elevate Extraordinary 2030 strategic roadmap priorities to strengthen student mental health and food security. It provides a shared framework to embed well-being into how we teach, design spaces and support students across the University — so they have the foundation to learn, lead and succeed. It challenges us to look beyond individual wellness and ensure our policies and practices uplift the health of our people, our places and our world.”

Extending our existing student well-being initiatives and national sustainability leadership

Under the charter, new and evolving University initiatives to promote health and well-being will be tied together.

Some of those are expanding food pantries at all campuses statewide by bolstering food security through new partnerships with regional food banks that increase access to fresh, healthy food and hygiene products for all students in need, along with providing a broad range of well-being programs to ensure mental health services are accessible and inclusive for all.

The Office of Sustainability is also advancing initiatives in line with its Climate Resilience and Climate Action plans, such as expanding solar power on the Twin Cities campus this year, new hybrid electric buses projected to reduce emissions by 90%, more EVs and EV charging locations, and a tree canopy goal to improve air quality and reduce temperatures.

Lastly, the University plans to adopt a new policy review process that applies a health-focused lens to all updated and new policies, ensuring they positively impact the well-being of students, faculty and staff.

“Adoption of the Okanagan Charter is a concrete institutional commitment to the health of our planet, place, and people,” says Michelle Trumpy, senior director of public health for Boynton Health. “The Okanagan Charter does not prescribe what we should do, but rather is a framework for how we do the work as part of the University’s strategic roadmap.”

Learn more about the University’s Student Wellbeing Initiative.