Washburn University

IMAGE COURTESY OF WASHBURN UNIVERSITY

Washburn University

Topeka, KS

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC) is to provide awareness, education, opportunities and support resulting in enduring healthy lifestyle habits.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

We strive to enrich the quality of campus life by promoting and offering opportunities for physical and mental growth, as well as social interaction in healthy surroundings and superior recreational facilities. The SRWC’s innovative co-curricular programs and offerings serve to provide a connecting link between students and the Washburn University (WU) experience.

FACILITY FEATURES

The 37,000-square-foot SRWC, which opened its doors in 2004, contains a gymnasium, fitness loft, indoor track, meeting room, rock climbing wall, wellness suite and a multi-purpose room.

Gymnasium

• The three-court gymnasium is utilized for basketball, volleyball, badminton, indoor soccer, as well as the administration of a comprehensive intramural program.

Fitness Loft

• Located on the second floor of the SRWC, the fitness loft contains a well-rounded complement of cardiovascular and resistance training equipment. The fitness loft is designed to meet the needs of the inexperienced to the advanced exerciser, as well as people with special needs.

Rock Climbing Wall

• The 30-foot climbing wall is a great way for members to challenge themselves and vary their workouts.

Track

• The 10-lap-to-the-mile indoor track provides an additional exercise option for facility users.

Wellness Suite

• The wellness suite serves as the control point for the wellness and group exercise programs.

Multi-Purpose Room

• The multi-purpose room functions as the home of the group exercise and instructional programs.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Supporting Student Success – The SRWC supports student success at Washburn University by assisting in the recruitment of future students; assisting in the retention of existing students; and providing numerous co-curricular opportunities designed to educate students, engage the community and enrich the Washburn experience. The SRWC contributes to the formal classroom environment by delivering the wellness literacy component of Washburn fist-year experience curriculum.

Fitness & Wellness Services – The goal of the wellness program is to assist individuals in establishing lifestyle patterns that will enhance their well-being throughout their lives. The wellness program is designed to provide opportunities that emphasize the eight dimensions of wellness: emotional, intellectual, physical, social, occupational, environmental, financial and spiritual wellness.

• Consultation Opportunities
  • Fitness assessments
  • Exercise prescriptions
  • Body composition analysis
  • Nutritional analysis
• Group Fitness Classes
  • A variety of group exercise classes are offered in the SRWC. Class offerings are designed to allow participants to work at their own intensity level.
  • Active Ichabodis, an incentive program designed to improve total wellness by rewarding participants for demonstrating healthy habits that contribute to a vital healthy lifestyle. Emphasis is placed on all eight wellness dimensions.
  • Bod Buddies connects people sharing similar interests in sports and recreation.

Intramural Sports – Intramural sports are organized recreational sports leagues that allow currently enrolled students, faculty and staff to participate in team, dual, and individual events and activities.

Rock Climbing Wall – The climbing wall is designed to facilitate top-rope and lead-climbing as well as bouldering.

• Open climb
• Certification classes
• Bouldering

Special Events

• Rock the Rec is an interactive recreation festival that is held during welcome week — targeting first year and transfer students.
• Competition series: A series of fitness competitions designed to reward students who focus on strength, endurance and flexibility training. Students are awarded for achieving pre-determined benchmarks for each competition. The students accumulating the most points through all the competitions are crowned competition series champions. The fitness competitions include:
  • Bench press
  • Fitness games
  • Mini triathlon
  • WU’s most fit
• Painting at the Rec is an event designed to promote student wellness through the medium of painting. The event is the result of a collaboration between the SRWC and WU’s art department.

Informal Recreation – Informal recreation promotes diverse social, recreational and wellness opportunities through unstructured, voluntary use of the recreation facilities.

FUN FACTS

• The SRWC is one of only two facilities in the state of Kansas, and the only collegiate recreation facility, utilizing the COSMED Fitmate Pro for VO2 and resting metabolic rate testing. Washburn students have access to assessment and prescription services free-of-charge.
• All Night at the Rec is an event designed as an alternative to alcohol consumption and drug use. The event is traditionally held on a Friday night during the spring semester, prior to spring break. The event takes place from 11:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. and allows students to engage in an evening of socializing, fun and physical activity. The event is promoted in conjunction with Washburn’s healthy spring break pledge initiative.
• Student employees are a vital resource for the SRWC. With only three professional staff members, students are empowered to manage many of the daily operations within the facility and within the programs offered.
• We serve nearly 7,000 students, drawing over 85,000 visits per year.
• Our SRWC overlooks the football stadium so you have a great view from an elliptical during football season.