Feature | Conference 2005 Highlights

Signing ceremony codifies NIRSA Partnership in National Research Institute

Agreement with The Ohio State University targets the building of research capacity within NIRSA membership.

Paul Milton, Tamra Garstka, Danell Haines, Mike Dunn, Stan Shingles, Greg Jordan, Mark Fletcher, Kent Blumenthal, Sid Gonsoulin, Edsel Buchanan.

Months of planning between NIRSA and The Ohio State University, on behalf of its Department of Recreational Sports, have resulted in the establishment of the National Research Institute for College Recreational Sports and Wellness.

An initial three-year term for this agreement was codified during a signing ceremony at the 2005 NIRSA Annual Conference & Recreational Sports Exposition in Orlando, April 5-9. The ceremony took place at the conclusion of an educational session titled "National Research Institute for College Recreational Sports and Wellness," on April 8, 2005, in the Orange County Convention Center.

Highlights of the agreement include the enhanced ability to provide college recreational sports professionals with data needed for evidence-based decision making, the ability to build a research culture amongst the profession, and the establishment of staff that will operate and administer all research projects, grants and contracts. NIRSA will provide $15,000 per year to the Institute to assist with administrative and operating costs.

The agreement contains the following mission statement:

The mission of the National Research Institute for College Recreational Sports & Wellness is to foster and facilitate interdisciplinary and collaborative research, provide educational research services, and to develop data sharing processes directed toward optimizing college recreational and wellness pursuits.