Join the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Recreation and Wellness (RecWell) leadership team to learn about the development and outcomes of the UBelong Initiative. UBelong evolved from a committee formed in response to national and local social injustices, tragedies, and conversations, to an embedded initiative creating a sense of wellbeing, community and belonging through collaborative partnerships and programs. Hear from RecWell leadership how challenging times and conditions spurred self-reflection, education, and intentional action. Dr. George Brown (AVP and Director), Lisa Stephenson (Associate Director for Programs + Wellness), Ben Kohler (Fitness / Wellness Director) and Olivia Wicker (Brand Strategy + Communications Director) will share their experiences and perspectives on creating conditions for students to bring their authentic selves into recreation and wellness spaces and forge the links between equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (EDI-B) and the undeniable relationship to health and wellbeing.

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities Recreation and Wellness (RecWell) Department presents "Embrace the Challenge, Foster Systemic Change: A Journey Towards Inclusive Wellbeing." ​​Along with our live webinar, read this publication to learn about the development and outcomes of the UBelong Initiative. UBelong evolved from a committee formed in response to national and local social injustices, tragedies, and conversations, to an embedded initiative creating a sense of wellbeing, community, and belonging through collaborative partnerships and programs. Explore lessons learned and discover how their guiding principles might serve your own institution.

Want to know more about what it is like to navigate working in higher education as someone who identifies as Asian? Listen to the stories of various leaders in athletics, academics, and student affairs professionals, who will share their career journey. Panelists will share their successes and some of the challenges they’ve faced in their personal and professional lives through the intersectionality of their various identities. Originally aired on May 16, 2023 The online event was facilitated by NIRSA Asian Caucus Leaders: Kevin George of Rowan University and Maria Lauron-Ramos of Princeton University.

During the 2020-2021 NIRSA Assembly Term, the Inclusive Recreation Work Team focused on exploring inclusive recreation needs and trends within collegiate recreation. With forward thinking data collection – including roundtable conversations, surveys, and needs assessments – the Assembly was able to focus on the future of collegiate recreation and tackle the question of how to advance inclusive recreation. The assessment tool contains questions that are centered around yes or no assessment of departmental aspects of inclusive recreation. The goal is to help departments know where they are currently at with inclusive recreation.

Join Climate Study Implementation Team Co-Chairs Victoria Lopez-Herrera (NIRSA At-Large Director), Cara Lucia (2021-2022 NIRSA Board President) and Pam Watts (Executive Director) to review key findings and recommendations from the final Climate Study. Priority action steps, timeline and opportunities for member involvement will be shared.

In 2021, NIRSA partnered with 122 Consulting to embark on a climate assessment initiative with the aim of gathering data about the ways members were experiencing the Association through a lens of justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion (JDEI). Over the fall and winter, a climate assessment—grounded in 122’s Sustained Impact Model that includes self (self-awareness, individual accountability), spheres (interpersonal dynamics, relationships), and systems (embedded culture, policies, and practices)—was conducted by 122 Consulting with oversight and support from NIRSA’s EDI Climate Study Steering Committee. Crucially, this work was supported by NIRSA Foundation donors. Data for the climate study was gathered by surveying members and nonmembers, facilitating focus groups, and receiving input from the Steering Committee. Findings from those efforts are presented and discussed in this report.

Purchase this package that includes all four sessions to get 20% off! Join NIRSA in a four-part webinar series that dives into Gender Identity & Trans Inclusion in Collegiate Recreation. Each session has been informationally curated to meet the needs of any audience member; whether you are well versed in gender identity, identify within the queer and trans community, or are simply seeking some support in understanding gender identity, this series is for you. You are encouraged to engage with all four sessions; however, each session has their own learning objectives and can stand alone. When you purchase this bundle, you'll get access to “Gender 101 & the Trans Experience”, “Navigating Trans Inclusion: Exploring Common Ground” , “Playing with Inclusion, Assessing the Crossroads of Gender & Sport”, and “Awareness to Inclusion to Advocacy, Your Next Steps” !

What now? How do you actually bring inclusion to your school? Can you call yourself an ally? What are your next steps? Our final session will leave you with actionable steps on the personal, professional, and institutional level to get you closer to trans inclusion and be more gender equitable. Resources, including the NIRSA EDI Resource Guide, Campus Pride Sports Index, Campus Diversity Officers, National Governing Bodies for Sport, and programs & policies from NIRSA member institutions’ collegiate recreation programs, will be highlighted for staff training, program assessment, and policy development.

This is part three of the NIRSA Gender &Trans Inclusion Series. This recording explores gender inclusion within higher education and collegiate recreation, paying particular attention to current legislative and policy actions occurring around eligibility, societal expectations around preserving and protecting girls and women in sport, and access to sport and recreation facilities and programs, including an overview of National Governing Body policies related to gender identity and trans inclusion.

This recording is the second installment of the Gender & Trans Inclusion in Collegiate Recreation Series. This session explores finding common ground, particularly around the intersection of faith and transgender and non-binary inclusion in college recreation programs. The Common Ground initiative sponsored by the NCAA is introduced, and the panel focuses on how the model could be utilized in collegiate recreation, as well as lessons learned, finding common ground, and supporting all students and colleagues of various gender identities, religions and sexual orientations.