Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the perceived benefits and challenges of implementing sustainable initiatives in collegiate recreational sports facilities. Additionally, this paper ...intends to contribute to the evolving field of facility sustainability in higher education.
Design/methodology/approach
The design included qualitative research methods that allowed respondents to elaborate on perceived benefits and challenges. Respondents consisted of directors of campus recreation departments at National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association member institutions. Content analysis served as the method for analyzing and categorizing the data.
Findings
Six categories of perceived benefits became distinguishable, including Educational, Environmental, Ethical, Fiscal and Operational. Eight categories of perceived challenges emerged after responses were analyzed, including Administrative, Attitudinal, Commitment, Educational, Facility, and Fiscal. The majority of respondents indicated Fiscal demands as being the top challenge when it comes to implementing sustainable initiatives. Common themes arose from the responses and were sorted within their respective category.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the evolving field of sustainability by providing some data regarding recreational sports facilities in higher education. Administrators, particularly those in Student Affairs, Facilities Management and Campus Recreation can benefit from this paper by assessing their respective institution’s current view of sustainability and by proactively determining a strategy to combat the potential challenges identified. Additionally, identifying perceived benefits can help equip facility directors and executives with justification and rationale for moving toward sustainable facility design and operation.
Sustainability is a hot topic in higher education. Buzz words such as green and renewable 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. To identify efforts within the collegiate recreational sports industry, this study focused on assessing the state of facility sustainability. The purpose of this study was to assess levels of institutional adoption 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 study used quantitative research methods and produced primarily descriptive research. This research produced a number of key findings: institutions that led in adoption 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. In addition, significant differences in adoption 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 include providing benchmark data, creating advisory committees, and modeling NIRSA Region VI institutions. This study establishes a foundation for further research on sustainability efforts in collegiate recreational sports.
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FSPLJ, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Stakeholder engagement attempts to develop partnerships in order to assist in problem solving and decision making. The case study attempts to understand how one rural community reengages corporate ...sponsors in the event planning process. Emphasis is placed on understanding the motives,
benefits, and challenges associated with community engagement. Investigators used a case study methodology collecting data from event observations and key stakeholder interviews. The design helped develop an in-depth analysis of a program, event, activity, process, or one or more individuals.
Benefits of engagement included brand placement, morale, and community betterment. Resource allocation provided a major challenge while information provided a critical component of stakeholder engagement decisions. Factors that motivated sponsor involvement included mission, community connection,
strategic engagement, and having the right partners. The results have important implications for professionals attempting to reengage corporate sponsors in event planning. Findings suggest the value of using social capital found within an event sponsors organization. When events are organized
by small nonprofit organizations or single departments located within rural municipalities, the additional social capital is invaluable in meeting both community and corporate sponsor goals.
International aid has an ambiguous effect on the macroeconomy of the recipient country. To the extent that aid raises consumer expenditure, there will be some real exchange rate appreciation and a ...shift of resources away from traded goods production and into non-traded goods production. However, aid for investment in the traded goods sector can mitigate this effect. Also, a relatively high level of productivity in the non-traded goods sector combined with a high level of investment will tend to depreciate the real exchange rate. We examine aid inflows in twenty-six Sub-Saharan African countries and find a variety of macroeconomic responses. Some of the variation in the responses can be explained by variation in observable country characteristics; this has implications for donor policy.
The authors lead a study abroad trip to Beijing, China during the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. Included are reflections from the students who participated. Throughout the visit, students had the ...opportunity to complete learning outside of the traditional classroom setting. In addition, various challenges were faced and overcome which also constituted a learning experience and was the cause of reflection. The country of China and all of its historical landmarks had a great impression on these students, especially the day that was spent at the Great Wall. Finally, being able to be at the Olympic Games was a life-changing experience, from the Opening Ceremony to the events that were attended. In all, it was a thoroughly worthwhile adventure and one that we hope to replicate every two years.
Design-build construction is now more common in the sport and recreation industry. Design-build is when a single entity is responsible for design and construction (Jergeas & Fahmy, 2006). This method ...may be used for a variety of projects and is becoming a popular choice for sport facility managers. Benefits of design-build construction include cost savings, quicker completion speeds, and unification of recommendations by designers and contractors (DBIA, 2014). Design-build projects include professional, collegiate, and community facilities, showing the potential for use in all market sizes. In this case study, we provide an in-depth description of design-build as used by a community during the construction of a spray park. We describe the process and provide suggestions for those considering design-build construction.
The purpose of this study was to describe how institutions of higher education are responding to the fiscal and political retrenchment of the 1990's with the shared use of recreational sports ...facilities. Five research questions addressed the following dimensions of facilities: (a) physical/operational characteristics of facilities, (b) facility governance, (c) stakeholders involved in shared facility partnerships, (d) factors influencing institutional decisions to share facilities, and (e) benefits/problems arising from sharing facilities. The “Recreational Sports Facility Survey” was created to investigate facilities shared by multiple departments and extend the work of Kerr and Downs (NIRSA, 2004). Directors at member institutions of the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) were surveyed electronically, with a 41.2 percent return rate. The combined median enrollment for all institutions was 10,700 students (10,121 undergraduates; 3,034 graduates). Respondents represented 127 public and 79 private institutions. Thirty-eight facilities were constructed and 94 were renovated since 2000. Facilities averaged 105,000 square feet and cost $11.4 million ($109 per square foot). Facilities were funded most often with a mixture of Student Fees, Donations, and State Funding. Annual operating budgets were funded with Student fees, Membership Fees, and State Funding. Facilities were open 88 hours per week or 12.5 hours per day and averaged 314,000 users annually. Campus Recreation departments housed in Student Affairs divisions were responsible for the majority of facilities. Documents including Policies & Procedures, Mission Statements, and Scheduling Policies were created to facilitate effective shared facility relationships. Advisory Committees assisted with policy formulation at 55 percent of facilities. A variety of stakeholders shared nearly all facilities. Campus Recreation, Athletics, and Physical Education shared facilities most often. Directors suggested Tradition, Similar Mission, Politics, and Construction Funding were reasons facilities were shared. The highest rated benefit of sharing facilities was Maximization of Space. Scheduling Conflicts and Crowded Facilities were the greatest concerns. Suggestions for professionals included utilizing participatory planning, designing multipurpose/programmable space, integrating funding, utilizing advisory committees, and documenting scheduling policies. Suggestions for future research included further analysis of emerging funding mechanisms, design issues, operational procedures, and shared facility issues in Academics and Athletics.
International aid has an ambiguous effect on the macroeconomy of the recipient country. To the extent that aid raises consumer expenditure, there will be some real exchange rate appreciation and a ...shift of resources away from traded goods production and into non-traded goods production. However, aid for investment in the traded goods sector can mitigate this effect. Also, a relatively high level of productivity in the non-traded goods sector combined with a high level of investment will tend to depreciate the real exchange rate. We examine aid inflows in 26 sub-Saharan African countries, and find a variety of macroeconomic responses. Some of the variation in the responses can be explained by variation in observable country characteristics; this has implications for donor policy.
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