In effort to better serve students, Colorado State University has created the RECquity fund. The initiative breaks down barriers, making it easier for students to access Campus Recreation’s diverse and important offerings.
“The RECquity fund is one way we’re working to provide students with financial need more inclusive access to programs and services that have an added cost beyond a students’ base membership fee,” said Nick Eppley, the assistant director of Marketing and Communication. “It allows students to explore new ways to move and build community with fewer limitations due to cost.”
Below, Eppley and Elizabeth Croft, the assistant director of Member Services, share more about the fund.
What is the mission of the RECquity fund?
NE: To reduce financial barriers and provide more inclusive access to recreational opportunities.
What was important to keep top of mind when designing the fund?
EC: We wanted to ensure students didn’t have an additional lift when applying for the fund by keeping our application process simple and utilizing campus partners to help us assess need.
What has been the students’ response?
NE: We’re still in the initial roll-out phase and actively working to promote this new opportunity so we don’t have a lot of feedback quite yet. However, we’re excited to learn more after this first semester.
What advice would you share with other campus rec professionals considering similar initiatives?
NE: Starting small and taking an iterative, metered approach has been helpful as it’s helped us get the program up and running. It’s also left ample room to adjust and flex as we gain a better understanding of what our students need and find donors who are as passionate about this effort as we are.
Anything else you’d like to add about the RECquity fund?
EC: We had one applicant in our initial funding, so we’re still looking to expand our marketing of the fund so we have an increased application pool.
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