Job satisfaction for campus recreation professionals within NIRSA institutions

An international investigation was conducted to determine the overall job satisfaction of college campus recreation employees who are members of the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA). Demographic information was gathered to provide statistical analysis based on (a) region; (b) size of school; (c) private versus public; (d) four-year versus two-year schools; (e) rural, suburban, and urban location; (f) years in the profession; and (g) reporting structure. The following work related areas were examined to determine if NIRSA members were satisfied with their job environment: (a) personal/individual satisfaction, (b) staffing and organizational structure, (c) financial support, (d) salary and professional development, (e) department and individual expectations, (f) campus recreation facilities, and (g) campus collaboration and communication. The study found that overall the respondents indicated they were satisfied with their job situation/ environment with greater satisfaction being shown by those with loftier job titles when compared with those with lesser job titles. Differences in job satisfaction were noted in terms of (a) supervisor’s expectations of them, salary, and hours worked (based on amount of experience); (b) salary (based on title held); (c) budget allocation (based on reporting structure); and (d) a desire to leave their present position/ job (in terms of job title held, experience/length of service and reporting structure)

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

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

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

Factors Affecting Risk Management of Indoor Campus Recreation Facilities

Factors affecting risk management of indoor campus recreation facilities were studied. Campus recreation directors of 4-year colleges/universities in North America who held memberships in the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) responded to a paper survey consisting of 32 dichotomous yes/no and closeended multiple-choice questions. Questions addressed staff certification requirements, use of waivers, number of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in the facility, communication and security devices, health screening of participants, and in-person supervision of the facility. Results showed that facilities are open to participants extensively throughout the 7-day week, thus requiring directors to ensure their risk management procedures are up to date—most notably staff members’ CPR and first aid certification, as well as AED training

Club Sport Legal Liability Practices at NIRSA Institutions

Current legal practices in collegiate club sport programs were studied. A 23-item questionnaire consisting primarily of close-ended questions was mailed to 563 campus recreation directors representing all six National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) regions. Data obtained showed that mean club sport budgets ranged from $51,657 in Region 4 to$135,657 in Region 6, with an overall mean of $69,138 across all regions. Signing a waiver before participating was required by 91 % of the directors. Lack of consistency in waiver language and font size was reported. Only 9% of campus recreation directors always require that an institutional employee travel with a club sport team. The most frequent modes of approved travel for club sport participants were students driving personal cars (94%), renting vans from outside vendors (95%), and the use of private transportation such as a chartered bus (70%). Paid coaches were used by 15% of the directors

Selected Risk Management Policies, Practices, and Procedures for Intramural Activities at NIRSA Institutions

A survey of all National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) campus recreation directors was conducted to determine the risk management policies, practices, and procedures relating to intramural activities and recreational sports at colleges and universities throughout North America. The survey instrument, in its final form, addressed practices, policies, and procedures of campus recreation directors through 44 questions relating to the following areas: (a) documentation, (b) medical factors, (c) rules and regulations, (d) physical supervision, (e) sportsmanship rating systems, (f) restrictive policies, (g) safety devices, (h) officials-tests-qualifications, and (i) background experiences and training of the respondents. Selected data are presented in terms of (a) the size of institutions (small, medium, and large), (b) location of the institution (rural, urban, and suburban), and (c) whether public or privately supported

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