2
The task at hand pertains to financing as the existing policy domain concerning campus
recreation. Sport administrators must address matters pertaining to finances, including funding
sources, strategies for optimizing funding opportunities, the appropriateness of programming's
cost-benefit ratio, and the justification of financing sources. It is evident that the responsibility of
establishing and executing efficient financial management policies lies with the campus
recreation administrator (Hums & MacLean, 2018). Presently, campus recreation administrators
evaluate the merits of various funding alternatives prior to selecting the most advantageous one,
taking into consideration the specific circumstances of the campus.
The principal funding sources are determined primarily by the objectives of the program
and the beneficiaries who stand to gain from it. Prior to securing funding, it is critical to ascertain
the objectives of the program and ascertain whether it will provide services to communities,
students, faculties, or a combination thereof (NIRSA, 2020). Notably, some departments of
campus recreation have begun allocating funds for wellness-related programs in addition to
athletics and fitness initiatives. NIRSA (2020) finds that members are more inclined to contribute
to programs that prioritize the needs and interests of individuals due to the substantial benefits
such programs provide. Nevertheless, economic considerations should guide the pricing of the
services so as to prevent disparities in health and wellbeing outcomes.
Student fees are one of the most prevalent models of recreation funding on college
campuses. It is imperative that recreation departments communicate their intentions to establish
new recreation centers to the student bodies.
3
Subsequently, the departments ought to await the student bodies' decisions on their
propositions, which would indicate whether or not their plan to construct a new recreation
facility could be approved. As stated by Illinois State University (n.d.), students exhibit a
favorable disposition towards the concept of wellness and recreation and are receptive to making
contributions towards the development of novel programs and facilities. The recreation fee is
subject to change based on the number of students but is typically as low as $15 per semester.
An additional prevalent approach to financing campus recreation is through membership
fees. A fee is required for non-members, including community members and alumni of the
institution, to utilize the recreation facility or program. Non-students, community members, and
alumni are more inclined to participate in the recreation facility's program or facility in
comparison to alternative local recreational centers, provided that the facility delivers services of
superior quality (Laing, 2010). Membership dues assist the recreation center in meeting
operational expenses during periods when a majority of students are not utilizing the facilities or
programs.
Another model for financing campus recreation is through sponsorship. Sponsorship
opportunities with local and even national businesses are an innovative way to acquire
development funds. Recreation program planners or recreation departments can work out a deal
with these corporations that enables them to get funding while they advertise their products to a
wide range of college students (Laing, 2010). Sponsorship is a mutually advantageous strategy
due to the fact that each party derives unique benefits. A robust sponsor relationship has the
potential to endure for many years and may even provide the institution with future prospects.
4
Wellbeing programs that are a component of campus recreation programs can benefit
significantly from grant funding. There are numerous wellbeing programs that facilitate funding
opportunities for student and community initiatives. The wellbeing program at the University of
California, Los Angeles (UCLA), for instance, is supported by external grants from foundations,
corporations, and the government (NIRSA, 2020). The capacity of a recreation or wellness
program to address issues affecting the health and wellbeing of students and the community is
enhanced by external funding. Peirce (2016) asserts that a multitude of grants are utilized to
tackle health concerns including but not limited to obesity, smoking, physical inactivity, and
disease prevention. The majority of institutions identify grant opportunities through the use of
library-accessible databases, such as Grants.gov and Foundation Center.
The concept of securing funding from various sources for campus recreation is analogous
to the biblical counsel found in Ecclesiastes 11:2. "However, diversify your investments across
multiple locations, for the future risks you cannot predict" (Ecclesiastes 1:12, New Living
Translation Bible, 1996/2015). The Bible encourages us to diversify our sources of income.
Despite the inherent unpredictability of life and the possibility that some of our endeavors will
fail, diversification ensures financial security and empowers us to exert control over our own
financial destinies. Due to the inherent dangers of unpredictability, campus recreation programs
should not depend on a solitary funding source, just as the Bible advises us to diversify our
sources of income. Student fees, membership dues, sponsorships, grants, and a combination of
these funding models should be taken into consideration by administrators of campus recreation.
It is anticipated that challenging periods will arise, and in anticipation of this, administrators of
campus recreation should diversify their sources of funding. Although not all of these sources
6
References
Hums, M. A., & MacLean, J. C. (2018). Governance and Policy in Sport Organizations.
Routledge.
Illinois State University. (n.d.). Funding. Retrieved from Illinois State University: Campus
Recreation: https://campusrecreation.illinoisstate.edu/sportclubs/resources/funding/
Funding 101: Creative funding for university Rec centers. (2010, November 1). American Spa.
https://www.clubindustry.com/universities/funding-101-creative-funding-for-university-
rec-centers
NLT | New Living Translation. (n.d.). http://www.tyndale.com/nlt/
Granholm, C. (2023, October 25). Funding. NIRSA. https://nirsa.net/nirsa/portfolio-items/health-
and-wellbeing-funding/
Staff, A. (2016, February 25). Blog: Attracting Donors for Campus REC Projects. Athletic
Business. https://www.athleticbusiness.com/uw-builders-blog/blog-dealing-with-
donors.html
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