Assignment 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQyjHGj66qc

Campus Recreation Center East

The main goal/purpose of CRCE is to provide an activity for all students, faculty, and members. The main focus is students while it also provides recreation for families and the elderly who reside in Champaign and Urbana. It also focuses on strengthening the community as a whole. CRCE gives students a variety of opportunities for recreation and leisure.

Along with the ARC, Campus Recreation Center East is funded by the students who pay tuition to the University. Aside from students, funding can come from those who pay membership to use the facility. The center is thirdly funded by the fees students and faculty pay to participate in the classes offered at the facility.

Campus Recreation Center East serves the community of the University of Illinois. It also serves residents of Champaign and Urbana. CRCE is considered more family oriented and serve families who reside in the area because of the aquatic center equipped with a water slide, fountains, etc.

Campus Recreation Center East has a variety of programs offered at the facility. The facility is has incline hockey that can also act as an indoor soccer field. The CRCE is also equipped with a sun deck. The facility also has an indoor track and the aquatic center offers swim lessons for all ages. Lastly, a popular element this facility has is its hot tub and 12 person spa.

There are three student jobs within this agency. First is facility assistant. This person's duties include swiping in students at the front, cleaning equipment, and walking around the facility to make sure everything is okay. Next is customer service assistant. These are the people who stand behind the desk and hand out sports equipment and deal with customers questions and concerns. Lastly is facility manager. This is the highest student job available. These people oversee all the duties and are the ones who open and close the facility daily. Some jobs for the aquatic center include lifeguards, aquatic student coordinator who provide guidance to lifeguards, and learn to swim instructors. There are also adults who work there who are in charge of equipment, membership, hiring, media etc. All these positions work together and help each other out. If one employee doesn't know the answer to a question the next person most likely knows. By working together they fulfill their duty to provide campus recreation.

One big strength of CRCE is that it is most of the time less crowded than the ARC, allowing more accessibility to equipment and activity rooms. The facility is also family oriented which attracts residing families to obtain memberships. The location of CRCE is easier for students living in the PAR, FAR, LAR, Allen and Busey Evans Residence halls. Lastly, CRCE is pretty new with being built around 5 years ago. One weakness of CRCE however is that the guest pass cost is high. The cost is $10 a day for a visitor and if a student is bringing a friend. According to CRCE faculty, visitors who come for the day usually end up leaving after hearing that cost and if it was lowered more people would be willing to pay the amount and the facility would make more money. Another weakness is the lack of variety the facility offers compared to the ARC.

Yes, Campus Recreation Center East fulfills its purpose because you see people in their everyday using the equipment. Not only do students come in but elderly people are there in the mornings and families come in throughout the day to use the aquatics and other equipment. CRCE provides a place for everyone to fulfill their leisure and recreation needs.

Assignment 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5jq98xrMKQ

Activities and Recreation Center

According to Robyn Deterding, Director of campus recreation, the main goal of campus recreation is to provide something for everyone-whether it is a sport, a program, a job, a place to study etc. Our main focus is on students first, faculty/staff next then their spouses, significant other and families. Last focus is on community. We have a strategic plan that focuses specifically on six areas: student and staff development, sustainability, wellness, fiscal responsibility, collaborative efforts, and diversity.

The agency is funded primarily through student fees and any income we can generate. Other incomes can include private memberships for those who are not students i.e. residents of Champaign and Urbana. The agency also receives funding through the extra classes that the facility provides such as yoga, zumba, and cardio classes. They receive very little state funding.

This agency serves all students and faculty in the University of Illinois community. It also serves the residents of the Champaign and Urbana areas. It can extend outside the local area to those willing to pay non resident and membership fees.

The Activities and Recreation Center is multi-faceted. It has a variety of classes that are free for every student the first couple weeks of each semester. The ARC also has Wellness Wednesdays in the basement at the Wellness Center. At this center they provide workshops about stress, nutrition, etc. There are also cooking classes, aerobic classes, and team practices at the ARC. The 35-foot rock wall located in the ARC offers clinics for beginners and experienced climbers. These are just of the many key programs that the ARC offers students and faculty.

The ARC has a full-time staff of close to 75 people. Their jobs focus on business operations, field maintenance/operation, aquatics, intramurals, sport clubs, risk management, human resources, wellness, strength and conditioning, ice arena, reservation, staff development, adventure recreation, and member services. The ice arena is part of campus recreation but is not located at the ARC. They have close to 700 student employees who also assist in the areas listed above. The competencies required for any of these positions are friendly, responsible, hard working, and respectable staff. All employees work as a unit and rely on each other to provide sustainable recreation services.

The ARC has many strengths such as that they are very passionate about what they do and work hard to do it well. They serve over 88% of the student population. They are also very flexible in operation so they could be serving the students with all they need while providing the Provost Office space for a reception and RSO hosting a late night dance elsewhere. They are much like a chameleon in their variety of services. However there are some weaknesses in the ARC. Obviously the economy is a weakness for many agencies right now and they are waiting to see if that affects them. Since they depend on student enrollment, for a portion of their budget, then they must always be able to adjust without it affecting their mission. Sometimes a challenge but if they are creative, then it is more of a behind the scenes weakness than visible.

The ARC absolutely fulfills its purpose as a recreation service. With their 6 strategic foci, this year they already noted 24 pages of accomplishments. In terms of student users, they are seeing more participations than they have ever experienced in the last 40 years of existence.

Assignment 2: ARC and CRCE

The Activities and Recreation Center, also known as the ARC provides students with recreation and access to athletic facilities and equipment. It is a great way to socialize with people as well as getting your daily dose of physical fitness. The Campus Recreation Center East is similar to the ARC. These agencies do not only provide job opportunities, but provide the perfect atmosphere for a students leisure time.

The Activities and Recreation Center is located at 201 E Peabody Drive in Champaign, IL. It originally opened in 1971 as an intramural physical education building. It was shut down in 2005 for total renovation. The ARC is one of the country's on campus recreation centers consisting of 340,000 square feet. CRCE is located in the heart of campus at 1102 W Gregory Dr in Urbana, IL. It boasts 110,00 square feet of activity space, which includes an aquatic center, full men and women locker rooms, a 3 court gymnasium, and an up-to-date workout facility. The recreation facilities were created to give students a positive way to spend their free time as well as stay physically active.

The office of campus recreation has some core competencies required for employment at either facilities. You do not need to be an RST major to work here ;). As an employee, one must be outgoing and personable because it is a very one-on-one work place. Specifically as a lifeguard, you must be certified in CPR/AED. They want their employees to show an interest in the field of recreation and leisure and help students get the most out their college experience.

There are many benefits for working for the campus rec. Becoming an employee at either the ARC or CRCE is as easy as 1,2,3! First, you need to attend an information session to introduce the opportunities available. Then, submit an application and if you are selected, you will be contacted for an interview. There are various benefits of working for campus recreation. Some of which are a flexible work schedule, a fun environment, an opportunity to interact with students and faculty, and develop leadership and teamwork skills. Positions of the ARC and CRCE include lifeguards, customer service assistants, and facility assistants.

According to an ARC employee, climbing adventures has become popular among the students at the university. There is a variety of clinics not just for students, but for families and kids. The clinics teach you the basics to belaying, climbing, and other activities associated with rock climbing. Another trend is in the group fitness classes i.e yoga, cardio, and zumba. For only $50 dollars a semester, a student can partake in any of the group fitness classes. The pools at both CRCE and the ARC are a great form of relaxation and having a good time with friend. It can be a physical workout as well as a relaxation tool.

The agencies definition of leisure is unobligated time from work and school to participate in recreation. It gives students the opportunity to get away from studies and provide an environment for personal growth and development. The main benefit that the agency provides is numerous opportunities to meet the needs of all students physically and mentally.

Synopsis

Our group enjoyed learning about the Activities and Recreation Center and the Campus Recreation Center East. The staff was friendly and willing to help. We got insight on the facilities and equipment that we use everyday. Working at these facilities to help one gain experience in communication skills and work experience all around. You are able to learn more knowledge about recreation services. The facilities are newly renovated and provide a flexible hours of operation to coincide with students class schedules. Being an employer at these facilities requires a bountiful time commitment which could make it a negative aspect of working for campus recreation. The job may require some physical labor that may not be suitable for all employees. Overall, the campus recreation provided by the University of Illinois gives students a time of reflection, relaxation, and pleasure.

Leisure as seen by Stibs

This is a picture of me right before I went out on a cruise. I like to drive my Honda CRX aimlessly around the city. I like driving a lot because it's a way to get away from work, school, or whatever bothers me at that point in time. This picture shows me in a comfortable state. Leisure to me is the opposite of work, it's a time where the only thing one should remember is to breathe and blink and relax.

Personal definition of leisure!

This spring break, I went to New York, since many of my high school friends live there. This is a picture I took when I was standing right in the middle of Times Square. There were many sight-seers, whom I am a part of, and many important-looking people in formal clothes. Because I grew up in a busy environment, I feel a sense of belonging in this particular scene. I define leisure as relaxation people get when they feel a sense of belonging, a complete blend.

-Se Young Jang

David Kim Leisure Picture

This is picture of me driving. I like drive around to different places. I'm from Minnesota, and there are a lot of places to drive around, such as lakes in Minnesota! I like seeing different things along the road, especially in Illinois, since there are a lot of fields. Because I like to drive around with no destination, I enjoy traveling in my free time and that is the definition of leisure for me.

Rudy Fratto RST 110

This is a picture of me and my friends relaxing by a bonfire in Michigan. During the summer, I really enjoy going up to my lake house for the weekend. It is enjoyable because it helps me get away from my busy schedule and my work week. This picture represents leisure for me because sitting by a bonfire with my friends is something I love to do with my free time. Also, it helps me relax, unwind, and spend time with my close friends.

Jack Linn Leisure Picture

This is a picture of me sledding with my family in Pittsburgh. It represents leisure for me because it was a time I was on vacation and had nothing to do besides do things I chose to make me feel relaxed, and sledding was one of those things. I was feeling in a state of leisure because I didn't have to worry about anything else, and was enjoying myself. My definition of leisure is being able to relax and not having to worry about anything else.

Adam Tylka Leisure Picture

This is a picture of me swimming. I went to the local pool and swam as a leisure activity. I used be a competitive swimmer in high school and continue to practice because it has become a part of me. It allows me to relax and let all my stresses loose in the pool. Leisure to me is an activity that brings you joy and pleasure.

Jason Mei Leisure Picture

This is a picture of me at Buffalo Wild Wings with a couple of friends just hanging out and enjoying some wings. It represents relaxation cause in the picture I'm just chilling and having some hot wings without having to stress about school or other things. It means a lot to me because everyone needs those times to just let go and enjoy life. To me, leisure is where you get away from the troubles and stress of life, school, and work and just enjoy yourself.

Jenny Morris Leisure Picture

This is me and my friends at the beach. I like to go to the beach when I am on spring break. It is a great way to relax and have fun with friends. Being at the beach gives me a sense of relaxation while I can tan and go swimming with my friends. I think leisure is letting go of all work duties and other responsibilities and allowing oneself to relax.

Cameron Craig Leisure picture

This is a picture of me dancing. This is something I do on my free time when I go out with my friends or family. This represents me having a good time and enjoying my free time. I think that leisure is a time period when you are doing something that you choose to do that you enjoy and take away positive feelings from it.