Introduction

In the Fall 2019 semester, there were 2,525 students who did not utilize (swipe into and

use the turnstile to get into) the Recreational Eagle Center (REC) at the University of Wisconsin-

La Crosse (UWL). The assessment group met with Associate Director Mo McAlpine and Fitness

Coordinator Nick Berg to discuss this issue with the goal of creating an assessment aimed at

understanding why these non-participating students chose to not use the facilities. Non-

participating students are potential retention risks, and they are missing valuable skills and

learning experiences that could be gained by participating in the REC. Our assessment was part

one of a two-part plan in which we collected qualitative data in the form of anonymous surveys

where the students explained why they chose to not participate in the Rec. We also identified

students who would be willing to join focus groups for the second stage of the assessment.

Institutional data shows that 93% of UWL students visit the REC at least once, compared

to the 70% national average. However, based on Fall 2019 enrollment, the 2,525 non-

participating students make up 25.79% of the student population. While UWL student

involvement is still above the national average, we wanted to know why so many students are

non-participants. The ultimate end goal of this two-part assessment is for the REC to implement

new policies and procedures with the goal of increasing student participation in the REC.

Literature, Theory, and Sample Practices Snapshot

Even though UWL has a student participation rate that is higher than the national

average, there are many benefits of increasing student participation. Students can learn how to

maintain healthy lifestyles, form new relationships, and are more likely to remain enrolled at the

institution. Data from the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA)

shows that students who participate in college recreation centers gain many benefits from doing
so, and recreation facilities increase student recruitment and retention (Forrester, 2014). Students

also learn valuable skills and abilities that they will use outside of college (Forrester, 2014).

Students consider campus recreation facilities and programing when selecting what

college they will attend with 68% of students being influenced by the facilities and 62% by the

recreational programming (Forrester, 2014). Recreational centers and programming also aid in

student retention, with 74% of students say university's recreation facilities had impact on their

decision to remain at the institution and 67% of students say that recreational programing had an

impact on their decision to remain (Forrester, 2014). Based on these national trends, increasing

student participation in the REC will help increase UWL retention rates.

Secondly, students learn valuable skills when using recreational centers. 98% of students

say that maintaining a healthy lifestyle will be important to them after they graduate college.

With that said, 64% of students say that they learned valuable skills and abilities that will be used

after college. Students reported learning soft skills such as time management, multitasking, and

communication (Forrester, 2014).