At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020, 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. Using systems theory as a theoretical framework, 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 via an electronic Qualtrics survey administered from May to July, 2024. 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, include 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.

Written by four experts with over 63 combined years of experience, Campus Recreation Essentials: Intramural Sports provides a framework to design and create an effective intramurals program that meets the needs of campus and community participants. From budgeting to policymaking to designing play structures to assessment, this resource is a valuable addition to any rec department library. NIRSA’s Campus Recreation Essentials series focus on the building blocks needed to create a recreation program from the ground up, or to prepare a new staff member to take over or improve an existing program. Written by experts in their fields, the Essentials series is an invaluable resource to small programs, new programs, or professionals who are new to campus rec. NIRSA’s Campus Recreation Essentials series focus on the building blocks needed to create a recreation program from the ground up, or to prepare a new staff member to take over or improve an existing program. Written by experts in their fields, the Essentials series is an invaluable resource to small programs, new programs, or professionals who are new to campus rec.

There are numerous scales that measure wellbeing. In an effort to assist NIRSA members in selecting the best instrument for the goals and objectives of their work, the Wellbeing Research Work Group, a subgroup of NIRSA’s Health & Wellbeing Task Force, has curated a list of scales that have been: 1. utilized in higher education settings, 2. with college student populations, 3. validated through published research, 4. and are minimal to no cost.

The Industry Insights report highlights key findings and potential impacts for the profession. The report is based on a 2023 survey that considered the future environment within which campus recreation professionals work, how that environment influences their needs, and what their goals are, given the market and environmental factors identified. Using the results of the survey along with other data and context relevant to the field, NIRSA leaders outlined possible next steps for institutions, organizations, leaders, and professionals to consider. This report was made possible through funding from the NIRSA Foundation.

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.

This publication highlights University of Colorado - Colorado Springs's initiative. This publication further explains the long and winding road for this campus to build an integrated model that thrives through academic and cross-campus partnerships and interdisciplinary collaboration.