Recreate and Retain: How Entrance Into a Campus Recreation Facility Impacts Retention

Abstract

This study explored the rates of retention among students who entered a campus recreation facility. The purpose of the study was to determine the statistical significance of the rates of retention within several commonly studied demographic categories. Recent research in the field reported that student participation in campus recreation programs contributes to student retention. The researchers in this study also sought to determine whether there was a significant impact on campus recreation participants to return not only to the campus recreation center but to the university during the following fall term. Data were collected during a specific spring and subsequent fall semester to determine whether those who entered the recreation center during the spring enrolled in the fall term. Student entries were initially categorized by the number of visits 1–30, 31–60, 61–90, and 91–120 and were compared to students who did not enter. A χ2 analysis was conducted to compare the data collected from spring to fall terms and the results were separated by gender and overall participation. This suggests a positive relationship between entry into the recreation center and student retention from the spring to fall terms.

The Influence of University Recreation Centers on Student Return and Retention During COVID-19

“…Prior studies have noted that university administrators and student affairs professionals have begun to formally recognize the impact of campus recreation activities on the retention of students ( Miller, 2011 ; Milton et al, 2020 ). However, no other studies have been conducted to determine whether campus recreation centers continue to influence student return or retention during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…Previous studies have revealed that student involvement in recreation center activities motivate students to return and remain at college campuses ( Miller, 2011 ; Milton et al, 2020 ). However, during these uncertain times, many students are apprehensive about returning to a university campus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…Many students were reticent to return to college and university campuses in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic revealed that involvement in university student recreation center activities had a positive influence on student retention and sense of belonging ( Kampf & Teske, 2013 ; Miller, 2011 ; Milton et al, 2020 ). However, are these results still true during the recent COVID-19 pandemic?…”

Application of New Energy Composites in Sports Facilities and Fitness Equipment

“…According to the equivalent media theory (theory of composite properties), the structural unit of new energy materials is a subwavelength size smaller than its working wavelength, so they can be regarded as a whole. Moreover, their electromagnetic characteristics can be expressed by the equivalent permeability Ueff and equivalent dielectric constant Eeff [20].…”

The Effects of Participation in Recreational Activities on Students’ Resilience and Sense of Belonging

“…Consequently, research on the benefits of recreational centers has proliferated over the last two decades. Researchers have discovered that college students’ participation in recreational centers, intramural sports, outdoor recreation, and fitness classes are directly and indirectly associated with increases in students’ leadership development (Dugan et al, 2014), academic performance (Vasold et al, 2019), retention (Miller, 2011; Milton et al, 2020), and physical health, mental health, and wellbeing (Wilson & Millar, 2021). Further, students who engage in recreational activities benefit from increased social connections and social bonds, an enhanced sense of belonging (feeling accepted, welcome, and valued in a college or university), and greater resilience (the ability to bounce back after adversity) (Henchy, 2011; Miller, 2011; Milton et al, 2020; St.…”