Technology is integrated into many parts of our lives now. From portable devices to transportation and recreation, it has become wholly engrained in daily life. While older generations can remember a time without the influence of highly developed technology, younger generations don’t. As such, technology can be a valuable tool and help you connect with younger users.
For example, Cyrus Carey, the associate director of Campus Recreation for Operations at the University of Vermont (UVM), explained how the university is taking advantage of smartphones.
Instead of relying on ID cards to enter UVM’s Patrick-Forbush-Gutterson Athletic Complex, RFID scanners from Schlage can detect entry access from users’ phones. It’s a big upgrade from physical cards that can get lost or biometric scanners UVM previously used that didn’t work consistently.
“They rarely have issues, and students don’t have to worry about forgetting their card because it’s very unlikely they’ll forget their phone,” said Carey. “But if they do, we can still look them up in our system.”
Turnstiles and RFID readers are scattered throughout the facility which helps Campus Rec track the popularity of different areas and activities. Using RecTrac software from Vermont Systems, UVM can determine times of high and low usage which influences decision-making.
EXTRA CREDIT: Finding data tracking success at FGCU.
Plus, when UVM Campus Rec opened a new MAC facility, they wanted to figure out the best programming to offer. They have what Carey called Programmed Open Rec for indoor soccer, volleyball, pickleball, basketball and hockey, and tracked the number of participants for each session.
“We have different purpose codes which are connected to an activity,” explained Carey. “Through them, we can then analyze what’s most popular and what times of day we’re seeing the most or least amount of traffic. We make adjustments based on that collected data.”
Similar to how technology is improving operations, tracking equipment and software are having a great impact in fitness. Its capabilities include tracking heart rate, body composition and workouts. The University of Utah’s (The U) fitness programming — especially personal training — is supplemented by technologies like Innosoft Fusion, the core of its technology suite and a Fit3D body composition scanner. The U is also looking into software from Medicat to further improve user experience and results.
“My goal is to help us connect with other departments, especially through Medicat,” said KC Olson, the manager of Fitness and Personal Training at The U. “After a 3D body scan, we’ll be able to have a conversation with patrons about next steps, whether that be with a personal trainer, nutritionist or mental health resource. All the departments at the university are disconnected, and it shouldn’t be that way. Everyone’s top priority is serving students.”
EXTRA CREDIT: Wearables named the top 2023 fitness trend.
When a student signs up for personal training through Innosoft Fusion or for a comprehensive body scan, their information will be stored in Medicat’s database. This way, trainers will be able to access recorded information at any time, and staff like Olson recommend following up with other health resources.
“When I got into this manager position almost two years ago, the first thing I noticed was students aren’t aware of these resources, a lot of which are free to them,” said Olson. “We’re really trying to push that and find out how can we make students aware. It’s through marketing and word of mouth, but the ease of access and having the right technology is what will get us there.”
Olson also emphasized how software from Connect2 has improved staff experience and operations. Personal trainers can record their appointments, including information about the session and client, and Olson can see and enter their work hours through it. Staff can also track the popularity of different fitness areas and equipment usage through Connect2. Periodically, they’ll record what machines are occupied and how many people are using them. From there, administrative staff can make data-driven decisions involving these spaces.
“In this world, there’s no getting away from technology,” added Olson. “We want to meet students where they’re at, and it’s so much faster. It’s a great tool to track data and trends so we can keep improving.”
EXTRA CREDIT: The future of tech in campus rec.
Gathering information that shows trends and helps identify areas for improvement can be a catalyst for change. For example, Carey emphasized the power of data when advocating for important needs in your department. As such, it’s vital to understand and routinely evaluate gathered intel.
“Tracking technology is becoming more popular because of our ability to make data-driven decisions and show trends,” said Carey. “By routinely comparing data, we’re able to bring information to the university’s key decision-makers. We can advocate for needs in staffing, equipment or facilities. It also helps us ensure we’re providing quality offerings. Ultimately, it helps us make informed decisions and have data to back them up.”
If you don’t know where to start when it comes to technology, one tip is to start simple with free software. These options are especially useful for smaller universities and those with a tighter budget. Chelsea Robinson, the assistant director of Fitness and Informal Recreation at Longwood University, is looking for other solutions that work better for her rec center, but Google’s suite of technology is a great option to start. For example, Google Forms can survey students and collect feedback. Recording data through Google Sheets can create an accessible database curated for each campus’ needs.
Longwood University, uses EZFacility to gather demographic and general information about visitors along with staff’s hours. Students reserve courts, rooms and other areas through the software which all users can see. Robinson noted how this feature is useful for both students and staff.
EXTRA CREDIT: Tracking rec center occupancy at Western University.
“Having all the backend information in one place for everyone to see is very helpful with making decisions,” said Robinson. “For example, how many student staff we will need or whether our hours of operations need to be adjusted. I think for students, it’s helpful to answer any questions they may have with room reservations. It also keeps track of their hours and when they have to clock in or out.”
While these technologies significantly help improve operations and user experience, Robinson added she’s looking into other technologies as well. With a plethora of options, she advised talking with vendors about their products and other Campus Rec departments similar in size and operations.
“There are a lot of similar products out there,” stated Robinson. “Talk to schools that look like you and figure out what they’re using and see if it’d be beneficial for you. It’s easy to look at bigger universities, but they typically have more resources than smaller schools. We often have to be more resourceful. Make sure you’re talking with people and learning from their experience.”
As technology constantly improves, it’s beneficial to keep an eye on the industry. Leaning on your network can help you gain vital knowledge on how to best serve your students. “I’m interested in seeing what other people have to say and continuing to learn what others are using and what they find helpful,” said Carey. “Technology is an intriguing topic that’s constantly evolving in how it’s used.”