University Recreation and Wellness Mission
Our mission is to serve all students and the greater University community by enriching the campus experience and encouraging lifelong wellbeing. We are driven to develop leaders, foster supportive relationships, and inspire active living through recreation and wellness.
Strategic Priorities of Department
- Maintain competitive student employee wage structure through periodic evaluation to attract and retain quality staff.
- Continuously seek innovative offerings to draw in and engage with underserved student groups (e.g. Adaptive Sport and Recreation).
- Develop funding sources and requests based on cost estimates for outdoor facility enhancements at the West Bank Fields, St. Paul Gym (Bowl), and National Fitness Campaign project on the Eastbank campus.
- Continue assessments of and engagement with student and non-student populations to develop a better understanding of their wellbeing needs and to drive awareness of and participation in our programs and services.
- Actively explore mutually beneficial sponsorship/partnership opportunities in collaboration with the Office for Student Affairs and University and external partners.
- Serve as a catalyst for the division-wide implementation of the OSA Student Employment Program (a key piece of the OSA Strategic Plan).
- Assess the current and adapt for future staffing opportunities in alignment with the mission and priorities of the department.
Equity + Diversity + Inclusion
UBelong initiative
Mission
Encouraging and supporting the inclusion of differences through recreation and wellness.
Goals
- Create a welcoming and inclusive culture within RecWell where everyone belongs.
- Implement diversity and inclusion awareness training for staff.
For questions about RecWell's EDI initiatives, please contact us at [email protected]
Advisory Board
We Want To Hear From You
Student organizations are represented with an expectation to review minutes and agenda prior to meetings and convey timely information and updates to their student constituents. The URWAB members commit to meet on a monthly basis (historically in the mornings on Fridays) where academic and university schedules allow. The proposed eight (8) meetings take place monthly from September-April). Student and non-student reps advocate for their constituents while providing updates, concerns and questions brought forward from their respective organizations and in alignment with the work, mission and goals of the department.
Emphasis is placed on financial effectiveness and efficiency with respect to the relationship between student fee funding and self-generated income. Reps are asked to attend all meetings and prepare through reading of minutes and sharing of information to and from their represented stakeholders. Proxy reps for meetings unable to attend are requested. While not a requirement of service to the URWAB, reps who are active members of URW programs and facilities are preferred.
If you have a comment or question for the Advisory Board, please contact [email protected]
2020-2021 Advisory Board Members
Student Representatives
| Name | Organization | Term End | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Olagbaju (Chair) | At-Large Representative | [email protected] | May 2026 |
| Nicholas Kuffel (Vice Chair) | At-Large Representative | [email protected] | May 2025 |
| Shayla Miller | At-Large Representative | [email protected] | May 2024 |
| Cade Carley | At-Large Representative | [email protected] | May 2024 |
| Brynn Hirsch (SAC Rep) | Undergraduate Student Government | [email protected] | May 2024 |
| Felix Ting | Council of Graduate Students | [email protected] | May 2024 |
| Jake Lisher | Housing and Residential Life | [email protected] | May 2024 |
| Berit Hansen | Greek Life Representative | [email protected] | May 2024 |
| Peter Groshens | Greek Life Representative | [email protected] | May 2024 |
| Aiyappa Mandepanda Appanna (SHAC rep) | International Student and Scholar Servies | [email protected] | May 2024 |
| Julia Neutgens | Special Olympics | [email protected] | May 2024 |
Staff/Faculty Representatives
| Name | Organization | Department/College | Phone | Term End | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greta Simons | P & A | Office of Admissions/Office of Undergraduate Education | 6-4517 | [email protected] | May 2026 |
| Katie Schuver | Faculty | Kinesiology/CEHD | [email protected] | May 2026 | |
| Ryan Warren | P & A | Innovation and Partnership Office/CEHD | 6-5740 | [email protected] | May 2026 |
| Kevin Ross | P & A | Capital Project Management | 6-8283 | [email protected] | May 2026 |
| Dr. George Brown | Ex-Officio | University Recreation and Wellness | 5-9037 | [email protected] | May 2026 |
Staff Advisors
| Name | Organization | Department/College | Phone | Term End | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Keyes | Staff Advisor | University Recreation and Wellness | [email protected] | May, 2026 | |
| Luke Geister-Jones | Staff Advisor | University Recreation and Wellness | 6-9621 | [email protected] | May, 2026 |
Sub-Committee Contact List
Finance Sub-Committee
| Name | Organization | Department/College | Phone | Term End | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jessica Couillard | Ex-Officio | University Recreation and Wellness | [email protected] | May, 2026 |
Alumni
RecWell Excellence Fund
Making a Gift to Recreation & Wellness
Thank you for considering a gift to University Recreation and Wellness. The financial commitment University students make to RecWell through student fees have historically made programs and services successful.
However, private philanthropy from alumni and friends inevitably make programs better, all while easing the expense put on students.
Investing in Our Future
A gift to RecWell is an investment in the overall wellness of students and it additionally supports positive outcomes in the classroom and in college life respectively.
Use the search bar to find "Recreational and Wellness Excellence Fund"