Campus Recreation Departments Research Articles

Implementation of a Faculty and Staff Intramural Golf League

Campus recreation departments have the ability to influence a wide range of students, faculty, staff, and administration. While the majority of programming will undoubtedly focus on students, events tailored to faculty and staff have the potential to strengthen the entire campus community. The purpose of this article is to discuss the logic behind instituting a faculty and staff golf league and to present an exemplar league. A general overview of the planning and administration procedures is presented, followed by a discussion of recommendations and challenges to consider when initiating a similar league.

Implementation of a Faculty and Staff Intramural Golf League

Campus recreation departments have the ability to influence a wide range of students, faculty, staff, and administration. While the majority of programming will undoubtedly focus on students, events tailored to faculty and staff have the potential to strengthen the entire campus community. The purpose of this article is to discuss the logic behind instituting a faculty and staff golf league and to present an exemplar league. A general overview of the planning and administration procedures is presented, followed by a discussion of recommendations and challenges to consider when initiating a similar league.

Collegiate Recreation Participation and Retention

Colleges and universities have been focusing on the rising costs to attend college and their impact on current and future students. Recruitment and retention of students is critical in justifying programmatic and academic offerings. In addition, recruitment and retention have an impact on the institution's bottom line. This article attempts to prove a correlation between a collegiate recreation program and retention. Specifically, first year retention rates were examined on students who participate in club sports, use the student recreation center, and are employed by the campus recreation department. The results of this study can be useful to the collegiate recreation practitioner to answer the question of “does your program have an impact on retention?” It is the hope that this study is duplicated to further emphasize the relationship of collegiate recreation programs and their positive relationship on retention.

Influence of Campus Recreation Employment on Student Learning

This study examined the influence of part-time employment at a campus recreational sports department on full-time college students' learning. The student employees indicated they attributed their experience working in a campus recreational sports department to their perceived gains in critical thinking, integrative learning, appreciation of diverse perspectives, collaboration skills, and communication skills. Students working at a campus recreational sports department were invited to complete an online survey, which was developed for this project. The questionnaire, containing rating scales and open-ended questions, captured the perceptions of change by the student employees regarding their learning. A concurrent triangulation mixed-method design was used to analyze the data. The quantitative data were analyzed using multiple regression for each of the learning outcomes and one-way ANOVA analyses were conducted to identify differences between the positions. The qualitative data were analyzed using open coding to identify themes. The data were triangulated with job recruitment materials. The student employees indicated they attributed their perceived gains in learning to their experience working in a campus recreational sports department. The multiple regression analysis resulted in two significant predictors, which included collaboration skills and communication skills. While the one-way ANOVA analyses was not able to be conducted between the positions held by the students, the results showed students attribute their experience working in a campus recreational sports department to their perceived learning in specific areas. These results demonstrate the need for more in-depth study of each of the learning outcomes to gain more thorough understanding of the impact of students who work in a campus recreation department.

An Examination of Variables Related to Student Employment in Campus Recreation Programs

Previous literature on student employment within campus recreation departments has focused on a variety of work-related factors, but has been limited by examining single institutions. The current study extended this area of research by examining 290 recreation student employees at 11 institutions located throughout the United States to determine how important five work-related variables were to student employment. Results indicated all variables were rated high in importance, but ability to work around class schedules was most important. Results also indicated that females believe pay rate is more important than males, first year employees do not desire supervisory roles as much as students with more work experience, and students who have supervisory responsibilities find these roles more important than students without such roles. These results can be used by recreation administrators to better understand the priorities of their employees, which ultimately could impact quality of work.

Sexual Harassment within College Campus Recreation Departments as Perceived by NIRSA Employees

This is part one of a four-part presentation of a national investigation of NIRSA members on the topic of sexual harassment/discrimination within college campus recreation departments. A national survey of 1000 randomly selected NIRSA members in North America was completed by means of an on-line questionnaire to determine the perceptions of NIRSA members as to the possible existence of sexual harassment [discrimination] within their own college campus recreation departments, in terms of a) existence of sexual harassment in the work environment, b) frequency of occurrences against males and females, c) examples of sexual harassment, d) frequency of sexual harassment acts, e) reaction to sexual harassment, f) issuance of complaints, g) existence of policies/procedures dealing with sexual harassment, and h) separation between males and females (exclusion, avoidance, distancing). An examination of the data was completed in terms of the respondents' gender, marital status, and gender of one's supervisor. Findings revealed that the vast majority of the respondents felt that their work place was safe, one of respect, one of tolerance, not intimidating and that sexual harassment was not a major factor in their workplace. Policies, procedures and educational opportunities were cited as existing in terms of the identification, prevention, reporting and prompt complaint resolution of sexual harassment. Common forms of unwanted verbal expressions of a sexual nature were infrequently cited as existing within the work place.

Examining Differences in Socialization Opportunities among Student Work Groups in a University Recreation Department

This study contributes to the limited knowledge on university recreation and student affairs part-time student employment programs, and how this experience can promote student development. The research examines differences in socialization opportunities perceived by student employees of a campus recreation department. Socialization was measured using group cohesion (a measure of the individual's attachment to the group). Analysis determined that African American student employees perceived a significantly lower overall level of cohesion compared with Caucasian and Hispanic student employees. In addition, students working in program areas that required less interdependence and limited ongoing training perceived significantly lower levels of cohesion compared with student employees working in positions that required regular in-service training and job-task interdependence. The authors discuss implications of the findings, recommendations for student development professionals, and suggestions for future research.

A Study on Restroom Advertising and Its Effect on Awareness of Campus Recreation Programs

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate what effect restroom advertising has on program awareness within a campus recreation department. Participants consisted of 217 students, faculty, and staff from a four-year private university, located in the Midwestern portion of the United States. This preliminary study found that the impact of restroom advertising to improve awareness of campus recreation programs was significantly high. Results showed that locating advertisements in the restroom, using a graphic to represent an advertised program, and selecting a specific color for the advertisement are strong indicators for support of a restroom marketing strategy. Suggestions for future research followed by limitations of the study are presented.

The Future of Campus Recreation: Time for a Different Administrative Home?

At the beginning of the 20th Century, collegiate campus recreation programs were moved from student controlled entities and placed under the supervision of academic or athletic departments (Milton, 2008a). As such programs grew and became more popular among the general student populations on America's college campuses, administrative oversight was eventually handed to divisions of student affairs, where some research reports as many as 70 percent are housed administratively today (Ross & Schurger, 2007). There has been a recent increase in the business-related culture within campus recreation departments that has served to promote a more business-like structure. As a result campus recreation departments may need to adjust from the student development point of view that many of them have today and toward a more business-like approach. Furthermore, this shift from a student affairs-based structure to a business-based structure as well as the individual factors that have transitioned campus recreation departments toward a more business-oriented approach suggests that campus recreation departments might be better housed under divisions of business affairs rather than student affairs. The purpose of this paper is to provide detailed arguments as to why campus recreation departments in the United States should be housed under divisions of business affairs rather than student affairs at institutions of higher education. Three distinct sections will be identified in the paper, including 1) a brief history and philosophy behind where campus recreation programs have been housed, 2) the trend from the 1960s and 1970s of collegiate recreation programs moving under divisions of student-affairs, and 3) the observed trends in administrative location for campus recreation departments.

The Aggie Blue Bikes Program: Implications of Leisure Involvement toward Bicycle Commuting

This study was conducted at a campus recreation department through the Aggie Blue Bikes (ABB) program. The purpose of this study was to determine changes in bicycle commuting involvement level in a pretest-posttest design, and to determine predictors of ABB participation level conducted in a regression analysis. The results were significant change scores for a unidimensional measure of involvement and for involvement subscales (centrality, identity expression and identity affirmation dimensions), but not significantly so for attraction and social bonding dimensions. ABB participation was predicted by involvement, motor vehicle ownership, and gender, but route safety and weather were not significant predictors. These findings may be of importance to researchers in active transport, city planning, and recreation and leisure. Campus recreation professionals can use the information toward increasing physically active students through bicycle commuting.

Differences between Participants and Non-Participants of Campus Recreation Offerings across Demographic Variables and Perceptions of the College Experience

While outcomes associated with involvement in extracurricular activities have been shown to be linked to persistence and overall satisfaction with college life, there is still a paucity of recent research (Barcelona & Ross, 2002) that has examined the differences between college students who participate in campus recreation offerings and those who do not. Therefore, the primary purpose of this paper was to examine the association between students who participate in campus recreation programs and services and those who do not across demographic characteristics, as well as their perceptions of the overall college experience. A self-administered questionnaire was administered randomly to 389 students of a southeastern university during spring 2001. The findings in this study revealed that students were quite similar across demographic characteristics and perceptions of the college experience regardless of their participation in campus recreation programs and services. Despite the differing response categories for many of the demographic characteristics examined, expected responses nearly matched actual responses for the majority of each characteristic analyzed. Regardless of the findings, the use of this type of information would likely be valuable to a campus recreation department, as well as provide information for a division of student affairs to assist in better understanding the relationship between student involvement in recreational activities and the overall college experience.

A Survey of Campus Recreation Directors at NIRSA Institutions: Activities Emphasized, Student Participation Patterns, Trends and Future Offerings Contemplated

A survey, using an instrument constructed expressly for this investigation, was conducted of directors of campus recreation at all 682 NIRSA colleges and universities in the United States and Canada to determine the current status of: (a) the degree of emphasis institutions currently place on nine categories of sports and recreational activities, (b) the percentage of students, undergraduate and graduate, actually participating in each of these nine categories of activities, (c) future recreational activities and programs, not currently offered to students, but being considered for inclusion within the next 12 months, and (d) future trends in terms of problems (challenges and opportunities) facing college campus recreation departments. Two hundred and sixty-nine schools returned usable surveys for a 39% rate of return. This investigation provides a snapshot of specific current practices and programming offerings of campus Recreation Directors, as well as their opinions in terms of future programming plans and anticipated trends affecting their campus recreation departments. The data were analyzed in light of the locations of the responding institutions within the six regions of NIRSA, the size of the institutions and whether the schools were classified as public or private. The nine categories of recreational activities included: (a) intramurals, (b) club sports, (c) open recreation, (d) outdoor recreation, (e) group exercise/aerobics, (f) aquatics, (g) instructional programming, (h) special events, and (i) youth and family activities.

Taking your Campus Recreation Department above and beyond through Transformational Leadership

The purpose of this article is to describe transformational leadership theory and present some suggestions as to how campus recreation professionals can benefit from adopting this theory's precepts in their respective departments. Transformational leaders have the ability to influence followers by activating their higher-order needs, increasing their commitment and encouraging them to transcend their self-interests for the benefit of the organization. This article assists the campus recreation professional in determining whether their department could benefit from transformational leadership and what the consequences of implementing this style would mean for their department. The reader will be taken through the visioning process and ideas will be presented on how to use empowerment in the day-to-day workings of their department.

Teaching the Romanian Deadlift

Omaha, Nebraska Greg Frounfelter is pursuing his PhD in Physical Therapy at Creighton University. He is the student weight room manager for the Campus Recreation Department at Creighton and the current Nebraska chairperson for the National Strength and Conditioning Association. His interests include playing rugby and camping. Mr. Frounfelter is a former USA Powerlifting national champion in the deadlift category, as well as a Nebraska state champion.

Teaching the Romanian Deadlift

Omaha, Nebraska Greg Frounfelter is pursuing his PhD in Physical Therapy at Creighton University. He is the student weight room manager for the Campus Recreation Department at Creighton and the current Nebraska chairperson for the National Strength and Conditioning Association. His interests include playing rugby and camping. Mr. Frounfelter is a former USA Powerlifting national champion in the deadlift category, as well as a Nebraska state champion.

Eating Disorders and Over-Exercise: How Should Campus Recreation Respond?

Little research has been done in the area of eating disordered behavior exhibited in recreation facilities on college campuses, however several studies have examined exercise behavior and reasoning. The literature states that for young women, the college subculture seems to be a breeding ground for eating disorders. A logical thesis therefore would be to presume that a recreation facility on a college campus would be a place for primary and secondary prevention of eating disorders. At one midwestern state college, students in academic and non-credit classes offered through the campus recreation department were surveyed using the EAT 26. Nearly 12% of those surveyed indicated symptoms of anorexia nervosa; and another 24% were labeled “at risk.” Four distinct groups emerged. The groups were identified as those at low weight with a desire to lose more weight; those wanting to bulk up; those who were medically obese with a desire to lose weight; and those of normal weight wanting to lose weight. Chronological steps can be taken to aid in the primary and secondary prevention of eating disorders. These steps include: identifying the problem; educating all staff; working with other campus entities in the prevention and intervention process; developing a policy; presenting the policy to affected departments and if necessary obtaining legal approval. It is also important to identify specifically how intervention will take place if it becomes necessary. Legal considerations need to be given attention. Eating disorders are multi-faceted and multidimensional It is important to have qualified professional staff able and willing to work in the prevention and early intervention of eating disordered behavior.