Otto Recreation Center

By: Tyler Watterud

Joshua Rocha
Riley Benzel

http://open-site.org/schools/minnesota-state-universitymankato/

Minnesota State
University
Mankato
1

Table of Contents
Abstract

Introduction

Literature Review

Methods

Results

Recommendations

Conclusion

Works Cited

Appendix A

Appendix B

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https://www.mnsu.edu/campusrec/images/homepageimages/slideshow/4.jpg

Abstract

Physical exercise is vital to keep a healthy body and mind.

This paper expands on the idea that people would rather exercise
with others rather than alone. Specifically, how Minnesota State
University, Mankato should allow guests to accompany current
students into the Otto Recreation Center. By conducting research
and handing out surveys we came up with a recommendation to
this issue. The solution to the issue was an easy and inexpensive
process; each student would be allowed to bring one guest into
the Rec center per day. As a result, most students at MNSU who
participated agreed with the guest option. Working out is
supposed to be enjoyable, and accomplishing. If you're all alone,
and you know you could be working out with a friend, that only
takes away from the great experience.

Introduction
Mankato is a very physically active community. On any given
day, you see people on the trails around campus, running or
biking. Students attending Minnesota State University- Mankato
have the right to go to the Otto Recreation Center where they
have to option to lift, run, play basketball, or hangout. Its a place
where students can release stress and get healthy. Regular
physical activity can reduce your risk of depression and may help
you sleep better. We believe students should be allowed to bring a
guest without the tedious process. When a family or friend come
visit, they should be allowed to come workout or do other physical
activities.

Literature Review

Almost all, if not, most, college campuses have a recreation

center. They are fairly important to the students overall health,
mentally and physically. Exercise is a stress reliever, and it makes
one feel fairly good. Allowing guest to attend the recreation
center will encourage students to be more active. Training with a
friend increases a competitive drive which is caused by release in
hormones called endorphins, this release of endorphins correlates
to the ability for the human body to "train longer and harder"
(Fitter with friends; Exercise and company).
Many students every single day use the recreation facilities
at MSU. They rely on it to make themselves feel better. Studies
have shown that regular use of recreation facilities on campus
directly correlates with a higher grade point average (GPA).
student involvement, or the degree of physical and psychological
engagement in the college experience, is positively related to
student success. (Brock, Carr, Todd).
Most people take their health very seriously, and get very
much satisfaction out of exercising regularly. As students, we
already pay for so many things on our own, living off of our 15-25

hours a week of work at a fairly low wage. So luckily, with tuition

and fees each and every one of us pay per year, we have the
accessibility to work out and use the gym when we please. The
majority of college students don't practice recommended
guidelines for physical activity. (Downes)
The National Intramural-Recreational Students Association
conducted a large study of the usage of facilities. Over 33,500
students took the NIRSA/NASPA Consortium Nationwide Survey.
Dr. Scott Forrester was commissioned to analyze and interpret the
responses. Of these, he found that 75% of students use on
campus recreation facilities, and 80% of those students
participated in intramural activities at least once a week. On that
note, 75% of students also said that their participation on campus
when it comes to recreation has expanded their interest in being
fit and healthy. Campus rec is important, and there is opinion
based studies to prove it; the people have spoken. (Forrester)

Methods
For this report, we decided to handed out surveys to
individuals around campus and research other college's guest
policy. Out of all the surveys handed out, we received 28
completed. For our survey we tried to target the broadest range
of students possible by randomly handing out surveys in public
campus areas such as the Centennial Student Union. We
attempted to survey males and females of all ethnicities.

Results
Of the 28 people surveyed 19 people had been to the Otto
Recreation Center this year, of those whom had used the Rec
center 17 people said they would bring a friend or family member
that was not a current MSU student if they could. 86% of the
students surveyed thought that some type of guest pass should
be available.

Recommendation
Our solution to this problem is inexpensive and can be easily
implemented. Each MNSU student will be allowed to bring one
guest into the Otto rec center per day. The process for admission
would be simplified into an easy and secure check in, since each
student is already required to show their school ID they would
then be able to check in one guest using that individuals federal
or state identification such as a drivers license or passport.
Comparatively to the current process this would save a lot of
wasted time and efforts for everyone involved.
We recommend this because it is easy, and the data dictates
it. 68% of students surveyed had been to Otto, and chances are,
they go consistently. 86% said that they thought some type of
guest pass should be available. Granted, the numbers are low, but
if the University ran a poll I would bet the number might be close,
or even higher in favor of the guest pass. If the students speak,
they should certainly be heard. As the Otto Recreation Center at
MNSU policy states," Weight lifters are required to use spotters on
every set. (Workout at your own risk.)". To help obey this policy,

the guest can be the spotter of an individual. This would create a

safer workout routine for students using free-weights and
barbells.
According to their website, the University of Minnesota has a
sponsored member option. A current member is allowed to
sponsor one adult at a time. Similar to our recommendation, all
they have to do is show a photo ID. Obviously, the sponsored
individual may not sponsor another member. (About Us)

Conclusion
Among the individuals surveyed, most would take a guest if
the option w as available to students at MNSU. Implementing a
program that would allow guest would increase the amount of
attendees each day which would overall increase student
involvement in the school. This would create a more community
oriented atmosphere throughout campus and improved academic
success. Compared to larger schools like the University of
Minnesota, who already have a guest program implemented,
Minnesota State University should be striving to match or even
surpass other institutions expectations.

Works Cited
"About Us." Policies : University Recreation & Wellness :
University of Minnesota. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2016.
Astin, A. (1999). Student involvement: A developmental
theory for higher education. Journal o f College Student
Development, 40, 518-529.
Brock, Magen, Julie Wallace Carr, and Mikel Kent Todd. "An
Examination of Campus Recreation Usage, Academic
Performance, and Selected Health Indices of College
Freshman." Recreational Sports Journal 39 (2015): 2736. MNSU Library Database. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.
Downes, Loureen. "Physical Activity and Dietary Habits of
College Students."The Journal for Nurse Practitioners
11.2 (2015): n. pag. Web. 04 Apr. 2016.
"Fitter with friends; Exercise and company." The
Economist 19 Sept. 2009: 81(EU). Expanded Academic
ASAP. Web. 4 Apr. 2016.
Forrester, S. (2014). The Benefits of Campus Recreation.
Corvallis, OR: NIRSA.
Taber, DR, H Meischke, and ML Maciejewski. "Testing
Social Cognitive Mechanisms Of Exercise In College
Students." American Journal Of Health Behavior 34.2
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(2010): 156-165 10p. CINAHL Plus with Full Text. Web.

4 Apr. 2016.

Appendix A

Appendix B

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