Equity and Discrimination in NCAA athletic Departments: Perceptions of Senior Women Administrators

Perceptions of Senior Woman Administrators (SWAs) were sought regarding areas of equity and discrimination in NCAA Athletic Departments. A five point agree/disagree Likert-scale survey was electronically mailed to all NCAA Senior Woman Administrators (SWAs) throughout the United States. Of the 841 surveys mailed, 406 were returned for a 48.3% return rate. To determine differences in the distribution of Likert-scale questions by demographic variable the Kruskal-Wallis rank test was used at a 0.05 nominal significance level. Significant differences with regards to Likert-scale items of agreement/disagreement were found between the following SWA demographics: marital status, reporting structure, and highest level of education completed. Significant differences between demographic variables were noted for eight of the twelve areas of equity and discrimination. Overall, the top three discrimination factors were: family responsibilities disadvantage women more than men, women are paid less than men for comparable positions, and it is more difficult for women to advance than men

Title IX Compliance in NCAA Athletic Departments: Perceptions of Senior Woman Administrators

Perceptions of Senior Woman Administrators (SWAs) were sought regarding the equal provision of 13 Title IX compliance areas in women’s athletic programs as compared to men’s. A five point agree/disagree Likert‐scale survey was electronically mailed to all SWAs at National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) membership institutions throughout the United States. Of the 841 surveys mailed, 406 were returned for a 48.3% return rate. The SWAs disagreed or strongly disagreed at the highest rates that the following five Title IX compliance areas were being provided for equally in the women’s programs when compared to the men’s: publicity (31.0%), locker room facilities (27.1%), coaching (20.0%), recruitment of student‐athletes (15.4%), and equipment and supplies (14.7%). Significant differences between Likert‐scale items of agreement/disagreement were found among the following SWA demographics: marital status, NCAA Division, years of experience, and reporting structure. The SWAs agreed or strongly agreed that the 13 Title IX compliance areas were being provided for equally in the women’s programs when compared to the men’s at the following rates: housing & dining facilities (84.4%), medical & training facilities (84.3%), scheduling of games (81.1%), travel & per diem allowances (80.5%), practice facilities (78.7%), competitive facilities (78.4%), equipment and supplies (77.7%), support services (76.0%), tutoring (74.3%), recruitment of student‐athletes (73.2%), coaching (70.3%), locker room facilities (63.2%), and publicity (55.3%)

Identification of Problems in Campus Recreation Programs in North America

In campus recreation programs, major problem areas within (a) technology, (b) personnel, and (c) perception and value were identified. The subjects were campus recreation directors throughout North America. The surveyed directors expressed the extent to which they agreed or disagreed with literaturebased, potential problem areas within campus recreation programs. Areas primarily agreed upon as being major problem areas within campus recreation were: the availability of quality officials (61 %), perception of program by institution (49%), and value of program as perceived by higher administration (47%). Generally, in order to improve programs, directors should place an emphasis on attaining and training quality officials and implement a public relations campaign that positively portrays their program

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

The Financial and Facility Status of Campus Recreation Programs at NIRSA Colleges and Universities

Directors of campus recreation at NIRSA colleges and universities in the US and Canada were surveyed to determine: (a) the number of schools that have built, within the preceding three years, major indoor as well as major outdoor campus recreation facilities and the number of institutions planning to do so within the next three years; (b) the usage and scheduling priorities covering all campus recreation facilities; (c) the sources of funding for the construction of these major facilities and sites; and (d) the sources of funding for operational activities for campus recreation The data were analyzed in terms of school size, location, and whether public or private in nature, The findings revealed that 56% of the institutions surveyed had either recently built new major indoor student recreation centers or were planning to do so, within the next three years, In terms of major outdoor facilities or sites, the percentage was 41 %. The majority of construction funds for indoor and outdoor facilities/sites as well as operational funds for programs and activities came from future student fees at most of the public schools, Typically, private schools had the majority of their monies for both indoor and outdoor facilities emanating from private sources while the majority of operating costs was covered through the general fund of the institutions, The sharing of facilities continues with both physical education and with athletics; and, the directors of campus recreation, generally speaking, felt comfortable with such arrangements, even when such arrangements include having athletic and physical education activities take precedence in usage over those of campus recreatio

Perceived Problems in Campus Recreation Programs in North America

Major problems in campus recreation programs were investigated. The participants were 269 campus recreation directors in colleges and universities throughout North America. Participants were asked to indicate whether they agreed, disagreed, or had no opinion regarding statements presented to them on a survey that consisted of the following three general problem areas in campus recreation: (a) conflict, (b) equipment, and (c) miscellaneous. The campus recreation directors identified six specific major problems, at the highest rates, from the three general problem categories as follows: “equipment”—lack of storage areas (59%); “miscellaneous”— availability of parking (59%); availability of athletic training staff (56%); marketing and promotional efforts (50%); “conflict”—turf wars (49%); and conflict with athletic department personnel (46%). Campus recreation directors should, first and foremost, address the above major problem areas, in order to effectively manage their programs

Current Hiring Practices of Campus Recreation Directors of NIRSA Institutions

A survey of all National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) campus recreation directors was conducted to determine the hiring practices, policies, and procedures relating to professional employees, graduate assistants, and student employees in campus recreation programs throughout North America. The survey instrument, in its final form, addressed hiring practices, policies, and procedures of campus recreation directors through 28 questions relating to the following areas: (a) search and screen committees, (b) job descriptions, (c) advertisement and announcement of vacancies, (d) applications, (e) references, (f) interviews, and (g) impact/involvement of national professional organizations in the hiring process. Selected data is presented in terms of (a) entry level position (coordinator) or for mid-level positions, (b) size of institutions (small, medium, and large), (c) rural, urban, and suburban locations, and (d) public and private institutions

Reporting Structure and Job Satisfaction of Collegiate Campus Recreation Directors

The differences in reporting structures among educational institutions, along with how satisfied campus recreation directors were with specific components of their jobs were studied. Directors, on a survey instrument, indicated to whom they reported and their level of satisfaction or dissatisfaction pertaining to 16 employment related areas within campus recreation. Overall, directors predominately reported to student affairs (62%), while 24% reported to athletics. Directors indicated highest levels of satisfaction in their organization and with other departments (89%) and expressed high levels of dissatisfaction with outdoor facilities and publicity related matters (56%). In order to attract and retain quality campus recreation directors, upper administration should make efforts to satisfy facility-related needs and publicity related matters of programs

Characteristics, Attributes, and Competencies Sought in New Hires by Campus Recreation Directors

Professionals and students working in college recreation departments are often involved in many facets relating to the hiring of competent employees. A review of literature revealed that various professions sought different qualities in potential job candidates. There were few examples of research relating to the qualities sought by potential employers of campus recreation personnel. Therefore, recreation directors, holding a NIRSA institutional membership, were surveyed to determine the characteristics, attributes, and competencies preferred in new hires for: (a) professional positions, (b) graduate assistantships, and (c) student employees. The findings revealed the most highly sought after qualifications in professional job candidates were excellent language/speaking skills, prior experience in campus recreation, neat overall appearance, excellent writing skills, and possession of a graduate degree. In terms of graduate assistant positions, campus recreation directors highly ranked the categories neat overall appearance, excellent writing skills, and prior experience in campus recreation. Campus recreation directors ranked the possession of certifications in first aid and CPR highly among student employee applicants

The Learning Curve for Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy

The authors found that the learning curve for robotassisted radical cystectomy is constantly evolving to improve oncologic outcomes