Value of Campus Recreation

Powering Student Development through Campus Recreation

Campus Recreation programs and services enhance the student experience in many different ways and evidence continues to demonstrate the degree to which various forms of recreation influence multiple, student-related outcomes.

Academic Success

Campus recreation is an integral component of the student experience that develops and reinforces the personal characteristics which lead to academic success.

Professional & Leadership Development

Participation and employment in campus recreation serves as a potent vehicle through which transferable jobs skills are developed and prepares students for success in the campus rec profession and other fields.

Diversity & Inclusion

Campus recreation provides inclusive spaces and programs that facilitate exposure to people of different backgrounds and the building of connections within and between underrepresented populations.

Engagement & Belonging

Campus recreation provides individuals with the opportunity to build and belong to a community and engage with others.

Physical Health

Campus recreation participation leads to the development of lifelong, physically active habits and improved health outcomes for participants.

Mental Wellbeing

Campus recreation provides opportunities to engage in activities that support and enhance the mental and emotional wellbeing of participants.

Recruitment & Retention

Participation in campus recreation as well as the availability of recreation programs and facilities are factors that influence student matriculation and graduation.

 

The positive effects of recreation participation reinforce the value that campus recreation provides to the campus community. An organizational framework was developed by the 2019-2020 NIRSA Research & Assessment committee to describe the full scope of these effects. For citations please go to the NIRSA website.