Recreation and Housing Services

FIVE-YEAR VISION

Purpose

The Recreation & Housing Services team provides current and prospective members of the college community a wide range of programs, information, and support in the areas of campus recreation, wellness, and student housing.   The visioning process allowed the team to examine and expand the department’s role in meeting Kirkwood’s mission to identify community needs, provide accessible quality education and training, and promote opportunities for lifelong learning.

Shared Vision

To become a nationally recognized leader in programs and services in the areas of campus recreation, staff wellness, and student housing by establishing innovative programs and providing superior customer service to all of our stakeholders.

Major Initiatives 

Develop innovative programs

                Academic Programs (In conjunction with Instruction Branch)

  • Establish a PE activity requirement for all Associate of Arts programs
  • Expand academic programs to include pre-athletic training and establish on-campus internships with athletics and Rec Services
  • Expand students internship partnerships across community agencies and organizations
  • *Become a national leader in Adapted PE and disability service programs
  • Establish outdoor recreation program and form partnerships with area outdoor recreation sites for student field experiences and internships

Rec/Fitness Programs

  • Develop interactive features in wellness website to allow stakeholders to customize a healthy nutrition and activity plan
  • Respond to community needs by hosting and sponsoring summer youth sport camps, clinics and tournaments
  • Demonstrate state and regional leadership by hosting NIRSA sponsored intramural tournaments on Kirkwood’s campus
  • Become a national leader in adaptive programs and services for clients with disabilities

Student Housing

  • Establish Resident Assistant program with University of Iowa and

University of Northern Iowa to provide resident assistants at all area apartment complexes

  • Utilize web technology to provide Kirkwood hosted internet chat rooms for potential student roommates
  • Utilize wireless technology to allow students to access Kirkwood web resources from the near-campus housing complexes
  • Coordinate Student Life, Student Development, Campus Health and Campus Recreation programs and services delivered on-site at area apartment complexes

Provide Superior Customer Service

                Academic Programs (In conjunction with Instruction Branch)

  • Respond to community needs by offering evening and weekend course offerings
  • Host job fairs and transfer information sessions for students in all programs

Rec/Fitness Programs

  • In conjunction with pre-athletic training program, provide athletic trainer services for all intramural and supervised open recreation events
  • Get feedback and information from stakeholders regarding programs and services annually
  • *Ensure that all indoor and outdoor recreation areas provide a safe and accessible environment for participants and spectators
  • Enhance interactive features of website to allow stakeholders greater access to health/wellness information

Student Housing

  • Establish campus shuttle bus service, either through expanded partnership with 5 Seasons Transit or via Kirkwood-based transportation program, to all near-campus housing complexes
  • Ensure that all near-campus apartments are equipped with virtual tour features to allow access to potential students unable to visit campus
  • Establish opportunity for student housing campus visits and tours seven days per week
  • *Ensure that all near-campus housing complexes and campus shuttle service are accessible and beyond compliance in meeting needs of students with disabilities

Capacity 

In order to meet the initiatives above, the college will need to address the following:

                Staffing

  • In conjunction with Instruction Branch, a minimum of 3 full-time faculty members for expanded Rec/Fitness programs
  • Additional full-time office coordinator to assist with expanded academic, rec/fitness and housing programs
  • Full-time administrative position to direct housing services department
  • Two additional full-time staff for shared duties in campus recreation/intramurals and fitness/wellness and student housing

Facilties

  • Need for office space for above staff positions will necessitate reconfiguration of Rec Center and/or adding on to existing structure
  • Outdoor recreation areas will need to be leveled and graded to allow for a more accessible and safe environment for participants and spectators

Staff Development

  • Designate funds for staff to attend conferences and programs in their professional areas
  • Host state and regional conferences

Ownership 

The entire Recreation and Housing Services staff is committed to this vision

Support 
In order to accomplish this vision, the cooperation of all departments within the Educational Services Branch is vital.  In particular, coordination with Admissions/Student Life, Campus Health, and Student Development in joint programming is necessary.  In addition, the coordination and support from departments within Instruction, Administration, Continuing Education, and Resource Development will be vital to the success of all components of this vision.

Dashboard Indicators 

  • Growth in number of students enrolled in Rec/Fitness academic programs
  • Growth in number of participants in intramural and fitness/wellness programs
  • Growth in number of attendees and participants in staff wellness programs
  • Growth in number of Rec Center attendees
  • Measures of satisfaction from participants in all programs
  • Numbers of visits to websites and measures of satisfaction with web resources
  • Growth in number of students living in near-campus housing complexes
  • Measures of satisfaction of students living in near-campus complexes
  • Number of student riders on campus shuttle bus system

Back