At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, university campuses began to close or move into virtual operations to attempt to prevent the spread of the virus around the United States, pausing all co-curricular learning opportunities at the campuses, including club sports for the estimated 2 million students who participate in these programs annually. This study, funded by a NIRSA Research Grant, attempts to determine the impact that the pandemic had on club sports participation and operations, both in the 2020-2021 academic year when campuses were first learning to operate with the virus, and over the full four academic year period from 2019-2020 to 2022-2023. The study collected data from club sports departments at 107 institutions nationwide. Attendees will take away lessons for club sports, collegiate recreation, and student affairs professionals for future events and crises that disrupt normal operations, including severe weather, violence and terrorist acts, and mass illness, including insuring that students feel safe while participating in the immediate aftermath of a disruption, and not being concerned about temporarily suspending operations to respond to the crisis.

Data from the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) indicates that 56% of higher education institutions will be updating their recreation facilities in the next five years. While some campuses will build new facilities, renovation can be a successful path forward for colleges and universities. This session will unite design leaders from CannonDesign to talk about the guiding principles that can make recreation renovation projects successful at all different scales. They will point to recent examples from Boston College, Virginia Tech, and other key institutions.

Wellbeing is all the buzz in higher education right now and it seems everyone is striving to be part of it. But what does wellbeing actually mean? How does it show up in the work of campus recreation? How does recreation’s work impact campus wellbeing? Whether you’re a director or a coordinator, whether you’ve been in the field for decades or are just starting your recreation career, whether your department has long been a part of campus wellbeing efforts or you’re just starting out, there is so much to learn in this dynamic and ever-evolving area.

Reimagine your recreation spaces. This webinar dives into the trends and challenges of managing recreational spaces, showcasing how RecRe's technology optimizes utilization and engagement across different recreation settings. Explore streamlined inventory management for traditional gyms, dedicated esports arenas, and even remote outpost sporting fields. Learn how RecRe tackles real-world issues like equipment loss and student accountability, boosting efficiency and user satisfaction in both established and emerging recreational domains. Get ready for an interactive session packed with expert insights and practical tips to transform your own space into a dynamic recreation hub.

Check out UC San Diego's Promising Practices content from 2023.

Read this publication to learn about UC San Diego’s Tritons RISE Together initiative and the integral relationship between Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and Recreation. Together they present a holistic wellbeing program grounded in mindful movement, art, community, and nature.

Check out the University of Richmond's UR Well Promising Practices content from 2023.

This publication highlights the University of Richmond's UR Well initiative. Using both campus-specific data and national data to foster campus-wide change, the University of Richmond has been dedicated to creating and sustaining a culture of wellbeing.

Check out University of Colorado - Colorado Springs Promising Practices content from 2022

Check out Rowan University's Promising Practices content from 2022