Campus recreation at Towson University was recognized by the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) as part of its inaugural Well-Being Collaborative, a national initiative focused on embedding well-being into campus recreation operations and culture.

Featured in NIRSA’s Promising Practices, TU’s approach centers on redesigning how space, time and staff practices work together to better support student well-being. Rather than adding new programs, the department is examining how existing policies, facilities and daily operations can remove barriers and expand access.

Key efforts include opening fitness studios for unstructured use when classes are not in session to address demand for additional recreation space and exploring expanded access to outdoor fields after observing students attempting to use them outside of scheduled hours. These changes reflect a shift toward aligning recreation resources more closely with actual student needs.

The department is also reworking internal systems, including introducing new staff meeting structures focused on identifying and addressing system-level barriers to participation. Early outcomes point to more in-depth staff discussions and a stronger willingness to tackle complex challenges related to well-being.

While progress is ongoing, TU’s efforts illustrate a mindset shift from managing programs to actively shaping environments that foster access, connection and student success.

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