WREC Year End Report

their non WREC using counterparts. This fact also held true regardless
of frequency of use. All this said, it makes sense that WREC
users also had a higher persistence rate than the campus average.
As mentioned in the introduction, recruitment and retention are
WREC priorities. The WREC’s higher persistence rate coincides
with the previously mentioned 2016 WREC Customer Survey where
53.4% of respondents said that the WREC had a moderate to high
impact on their decision to remain enrolled. Similarly, 46.2% said
that the WREC had a moderate to high impact on their decision to
attend Chico State. The WREC had additional positive impact on
students’ feeling of well-being, interest in being healthy, respect for
others and more.
This same survey provided insight into why non-users were not using
the WREC. Obviously, the goal was to see what reasons, if any, the
WREC could address for student non-use. The single biggest reason
for non-participation was not having enough time. The next most
cited reasons for non-use, and ones the WREC might be able to address,
were not being aware of the programs and being somewhat
intimidated.
Before and after this survey the WREC has tried every conceivable
angle to address the responses of marketing and intimidation. From
meeting with dorm floors and Resident Advisors to providing free
introduction classes to making equipment available in multiple parts
of the facility, the WREC has made every effort to combat perceived
advertising and environmental factors by non-users.
Results of these efforts are mixed. Ratios of users to non-users remain
steady, many more female students are using weights than ever before,
and free introductory classes were poorly attended. The Assessment
Committee will repeat this survey in Spring 2019 and more
will be known then. However, it may be hard to get a clear view of
the issue since it is possible that some non-users sub-consciously cite
reasons of awareness and intimidation in lieu real reasons such as
disinterest, laziness, etc.
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