Exercise is Medicine^® On Campus (EIM-OC) is a global initiative that's spearheaded by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) with participation by more than 220 colleges and universities in 38 countries, including Princeton University.  The common goal of the program is for every student to graduate with better health and fitness than when they began; to become knowledgeable and passionate advocates for the benefits of regular physical activity; and to work toward the systematic assessment and promotion of physical activity within health care.  EIM-OC helps all students understand the connection between exercise, health and academic success as well as provides hands-on, experiential learning. These are just a few of the ways that Princeton University engages its campus community:

• making movement a part of the daily campus culture
• assessing physical activity at every student health visit
• providing students with the tools necessary to strengthen healthy physical activity habits that can last a lifetime
• connecting university healthcare providers with university health-fitness specialists to provide a referral system for exercise prescription

Recognition Program

In 2023, Princeton University was recognized by the ACSM as one of 149 universities and colleges around the world to be honored for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus.  Of the 149 institutions, 73 received gold, 55 silver and 21 bronze.  Princeton University -- the only Ivy League school to receive any recognition -- was able to achieve Gold Campus status due to Campus Recreation offering the following:

• state-of-the-art recreation/fitness facility
• Health and Wellness Learning Center classes
• special fitness events
• virtual and in-person group-exercise activities
• fitness consultations
• personal training
• partnership with Counseling & Psychological Services under the direction of Dr. Calvin Chin to provide physical activity assessments and referrals

In 2022, Princeton University also achieved gold status.  That year, 158 institutions were recognized with 74 receiving gold, 61 silver and 23 bronze.

Some of the programs, events and offerings in FY22 (2021-22):

• Instructional Classes (Yoga 101; Yoga 201; KO Boxing; Intro to Strength Training; Figure Skating; and Group Exercise Instructor Development)
• Group Exercise Classes (Cycle; Yoga; BodyPump; BodyCombat; Zumba; 305 Fitness; HIIT Strength; HIIT Dance Cardio; TRX Strength; and Wake-Up Circuit)
• Health and Wellness Learning Center (39 classes; 503 participants)
• Special Events (Clash of the Colleges; Cardboard Canoe Race; and Dodgeball)
• 5K Turkey Trot
• Earth Day Yoga
• Pride Dance Party
• Fitness and Wellness Happy Hour
• Stress Less
• Women’s Grit-n-Wit
• Welcome Back Yoga
• Fitness Events (Virtual Frozen 5K; Residential College Step Challenge; Indoor Rowing Regatta; Bench Press Challenge; and Carnival of Fitness)
• Intramurals (25 tournaments; 15 leagues; 2,547 participants)
• Sport Clubs (150⁺ competitions; 38 Sport Club Teams; 1,378 participants)
• Dillon Gymnasium (219,915 visits)
• Personal Training (1,052 sessions)
• Wellness Programs (body composition; fitness appraisal; and fitness consultation)

Princeton University EIM-OC Leadership Team:

• Jessica Ward - Advisor (Director, Campus Recreation)
• Calvin Chin, Ph.D. - Health Care Professional (Director, Counseling and Psychological Services)
• Matt Brzycki - Health Fitness Professional (Assistant Director of Campus Recreation, Fitness, Campus Recreation)
• Emma Chang '23 - Student Representative (Student Building Manager, Campus Recreation)
• Oliwia Morska '24 - Student Representative (Student Building Manager, Campus Recreation)