Western Kentucky University
Sustainability and Collegiate Recreational Sports Facilities
Institution
Western Kentucky University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Brad Stinnett; Fred Gibson
Abstract
Sustainability is a hot topic in higher education. Green and renewable are buzzwords that have helped brand modern environmentalism. A greater emphasis on facility planning, development, and management is contributing to sustainability efforts. Collegiate recreational sports programs often include facilities that pose a challenge to the green movement, due to their size and operational requirements. The purpose of this study was to assess levels of personnel knowledge and institutional commitment related to sustainable initiatives at collegiate recreational sports facilities. This foundational study attempted to create some benchmark data for the collegiate recreation industry within the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA). The Collegiate Recreational Sports Sustainability Survey was developed to assess the variables in the study and was sent to directors of NIRSA member institutions. This research produced a number of key findings: the LEED Accredited Professional (AP) certification is virtually nonexistent among collegiate recreational sports professionals; institutions that led in commitment levels per their respective category type were two-year public institutions, large enrollment institutions, institutions from NIRSA Region VI, and institutions that contain large collegiate recreational sports facilities; statistically significant differences in commitment levels existed between four-year public and four-year private institutions, between large and small enrollment institutions, and between institutions that had large and small facilities. Implications from this study included providing benchmark data, LEED-AP credential considerations, creating advisory committees, and modeling NIRSA Region VI institutions. This study established a foundation for further research on sustainability efforts in collegiate recreational sports.
Sustainability and Collegiate Recreational Sports Facilities
Sustainability is a hot topic in higher education. Green and renewable are buzzwords that have helped brand modern environmentalism. A greater emphasis on facility planning, development, and management is contributing to sustainability efforts. Collegiate recreational sports programs often include facilities that pose a challenge to the green movement, due to their size and operational requirements. The purpose of this study was to assess levels of personnel knowledge and institutional commitment related to sustainable initiatives at collegiate recreational sports facilities. This foundational study attempted to create some benchmark data for the collegiate recreation industry within the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA). The Collegiate Recreational Sports Sustainability Survey was developed to assess the variables in the study and was sent to directors of NIRSA member institutions. This research produced a number of key findings: the LEED Accredited Professional (AP) certification is virtually nonexistent among collegiate recreational sports professionals; institutions that led in commitment levels per their respective category type were two-year public institutions, large enrollment institutions, institutions from NIRSA Region VI, and institutions that contain large collegiate recreational sports facilities; statistically significant differences in commitment levels existed between four-year public and four-year private institutions, between large and small enrollment institutions, and between institutions that had large and small facilities. Implications from this study included providing benchmark data, LEED-AP credential considerations, creating advisory committees, and modeling NIRSA Region VI institutions. This study established a foundation for further research on sustainability efforts in collegiate recreational sports.