Across the country, campus recreation departments are using technology to improve efficiency, accessibility and the student experience.
Technology is no longer a convenience but rather the foundation of how we work, communicate and navigate daily life. For younger generations especially, digital tools aren’t an addition to the experience; they’re the expectation, shaping how seamlessly everyday tasks are completed and connections are made.
With this, campus rec departments have been incorporating useful technology to engage students and enhance their experience, making it as easy as possible.
Ease of Experience
At Boise State University, systems like Fusion are used every day to manage access, registrations and memberships in their facilities. Essential to their jobs, this software allows staff to streamline these processes to ease their workload and student experience. “We try to stay on top of updates, new offerings and similar software to ensure that we are offering the very best experience to our students,” said Katie Burns, the director of Campus Recreation at Boise State.
Boise State also utilizes RecRe which automates certain work responsibilities for student staff and allows students to access equipment where and when they want it. They plan to do the same for outdoor rentals, moving the process to an online platform, making it easier for members to access equipment at their convenience.
North Carolina State University utilizes Occuspace, privacy-friendly sensors, to provide users with real-time occupancy levels of various areas via their website. This allows students to find the best time to visit for their schedules.
“Our focus is to make facility access and the workout experience as seamless and personalized as possible for our students and members,” said Mary Barnhart, the associate director of Wellness and Recreation at NC State.
For Texas A&M University, technology is about making sure students have the best of the best. Their equipment and products are state-of-the-art and ahead of the trends such as their cardio machines which have Bluetooth connect, allowing students to have personalized workouts. They also offer a mobile app that allows students entry into their campus rec facilities without having their physical card. The app also gives students access to facility information, equipment and locker rentals, reservation booking and programming information right at their fingertips.
“Our goal is to leverage existing technology to proactively align our students’ expectations with the experiences they should have when using our facilities,” said Paul Chu, the assessment and data coordinator at Texas A&M Department of Recreational Sports.
The key to this is efficiency. If the team of staff can efficiently complete day-to-day operational processes, it then makes it easier for students to utilize the many things the campus rec facility has to offer.
One of the ways Boise State does that is with Connect 2, a software that allows students to report broken equipment and allows staff to track the repairs. “It helps track expenditures and usage and we can generate reports quickly on the age of equipment,” said Burns. “It’s incredibly helpful.”
Engagement and Accessibility
While ease of use matters, true success lies in engagement. When students find real value in their campus recreation experience, they’re more inclined to make it a regular part of their routine.
At Boise State, the Campus Recreation department uses technology to do just that. “The use of technology allows us to empower our human staff to do the thing that only humans can do – build human connections,” said Burns. With technology, they can remove the tedious work for staff so they can focus on welcoming people that enter the facility.
Similarly, Texas A&M uses their technology to remove barriers that stop students from using their facilities such as schedule, cost and comfort level. Their technology tracks data that allows them to improve accessibility to programming and makes it less intimidating for new or underserved groups. “Technology lets us move from a ‘one-size-fits-all’ model to an evidence-based wellness ecosystem,” said Chu. “So, every student, regardless of background, ability, identity or experience, can access recreation in a way that feels safe, welcoming and achievable.”
Data and Analytics
Not only does technology streamline work for staff of campus rec facilities, but it also makes it easier to track data that can be used for improvement. With a rise in student population at colleges and universities across the country, there are more people using campus rec centers and therefore a need for a more strategic approach to how they are run.
At Texas A&M, there’s a team of industry experts who have knowledge in what to expect with these changes. “Our work in data and analytics aims to merely reinforce their instincts and convey the incredible work our department does,” said Chu. “Being more robust in our data-informed, people-driven decision-making processes will ensure we can continue to provide the high-quality services our patrons expect, while also advancing in line with industry benchmarks.”
NC State does a program assessment each semester blending quantitative data such as building and program swipes with qualitative feedback that comes from surveys to see the success and impact of their programs. “This allows us to make changes if needed to better align with student interests,” said Barnhart.
At Boise State, Burns works directly with the Fusion software for analytics. “Between use patterns and on-going feedback and assessment surveys, we can craft valuable stories about the roles we play on campus,” she said.
Changes and Challenges
When implementing technology, there can be challenges, whether that’s staff familiarizing themselves with the technology, resistance to using it or the technology not working with the systems already in place at the facility.
NC State makes sure before every IT purchase, the product goes through an IT Purchase Compliance review to ensure the new hardware or software can integrate with the existing university-wide systems like campus ID and student portals. They are then reviewed annually. “As technologies advance rapidly, we must prioritize investments that are not only effective, but also sustainable for the long term,” said Barnhart.
At Boise State, there’s resistance in using technology because of the role some feel it is taking in people’s lives, but the Campus Recreation department is keeping this in mind with how they frame their use of technology. “Tasking technology with some tasks so that we can focus on real connection is a gift,” said Burns. “I think the challenge is always framing the new technology in that way and ensuring that we are bringing in the right technology for the right job.”
To combat the challenges that come with staff adapting to these new technologies, Texas A&M trains staff and student employees immediately, by integrating it into their everyday responsibilities and giving them the tools they need to make their work easier.
“We focus heavily on explaining the operational ‘why’, how the technology improves safety, customer experience, staffing accuracy, or wellness equity, so the team understands the purpose behind the change,” said Chu.
By being transparent in the changes that technology brings, and allowing for feedback on that technology, operational and experiential processes can be improved.
“Ultimately, we are developing staff who are not just users of technology, but confident problem-solvers who can adapt as our Rec Sports environment evolves,” said Chu.
The Future of Technology in Campus Rec
Burns believes technology like EGYM will continue to positively impact campus recreation. “EGYM helps to remove barriers and create opportunities for students to challenge themselves and grow,” she said. EGYM in partnership with personal training, will continue to be educational, a primary goal for Boise State, and help students improve within their campus rec experience.
On an operational level, Chu sees technology continuing to improve tracking and management of inventory, equipment and the utilization of campus rec facilities. “It’s not only about having the soundest space and products available for our patrons, but also about ensuring those elements are operating at optimal levels,” he said.
For Barnhart, AI will be the leading technological development in campus rec facilities. She sees facilities using AI to train staff with personalized quizzes and practice scenarios and automating tasks such as email responses, responses to frequently asked questions and social media marketing like what is seen in the traditional fitness industry.
As technology continues to become a key role in everyday life, it will continue to grow in campus rec. Automating daily tasks will become a standard and will continue to improve operations and student experience within campus rec facilities.
