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Photo by Barbara Elve On the move: Heather Calder of courseware solutions does some final packing in preparation for the department's move out of South Campus Hall. Courseware joins the rest of graphic services at the Commissary building this month, but will continue to fill orders for course notes as usual. For information on placing orders, contact Calder at ext. 3996 or email cware@uwaterloo.ca.

Campus rec does self-assessment
-- by Barbara Elve

The results of a survey -- conducted earlier this year by Tova Fisher, a recreation and leisure studies Master's student, and her supervisor Ron McCarville -- also point to lack of information about campus rec programs and the cost of participating and parking as further deterrents.

Looking at the results of the survey, assessing what campus rec does well and what needs improvement, is the goal of a focus group and brainstorming session being held today for full-time campus rec staff.

"The survey validated some of our speculations, based on feedback from students and staff, that there was a lot of desire for casual drop-in use of the facilities," says Joe Cascagnette, coordinator of leagues and tournaments for campus recreation. "Our students are very busy, time is critical and they want to slip things in when they can."

Most students find free time for exercise in the late afternoons and evenings, he added, resulting in overcrowding in the Physical Activities Complex during those hours.

Even before the study was complete, says Cascagnette, "we knew one thing for sure: our facilities are starting to get overcrowded. With the double-cohort year coming up, it's only going to get worse."

To understand the needs of future students, the department decided first to learn more about "the recreational experience of current students." Although campus rec has evaluated students using its programs, the survey marks the first time both users and non-users were polled.

Among students who do participate in campus rec programs, the survey found "a high level of satisfaction the Campus Recreation Incredible Guidebook, the quality of the programs they most participate in, the kinds of programs offered, the hours of the PAC and the knowledge and helpfulness of the staff. Consistently lower scores of satisfaction were reported in the amount of weights and cardio equipment. Respondents were also less than satisfied with the ease of registration and the procedures involved."

Although the guidebook received top marks, says Cascagnette, non-users surveyed suggest there is a need for better promotion of campus rec opportunities. Feedback from that group included:

"For me, it never entered my mind to participate in Campus Rec activities. I'm not aware of what there is to do, where to do it, and when." Another added: "The reason I probably have not gotten involved in Campus Rec is because I never know when to sign up and I never know who to approach about the equipment."

The survey authors offered a few suggestions:

• Offer a "match-making system" similar to that provided for racquet sports where players can find a "buddy" to participate with;
• Address complaints about the quantity of weights and cardio equipment;
• Improve fitness and casual user section of the campus recreation web site.

"As a department, we're in the process of going over the results and seeing how the recommendations can be implemented," says Cascagnette.

Former Warrior turns Ti-Cat -- from UW Athletics

"Ryan was very impressive and displayed his tremendous athleticism at camp" mentioned Warrior Head Coach Chris Triantafilou, who was a special defensive back coach at the Tiger Cat camp. "Ryan will be a welcome addition to the 39-man roster," added Triantafilou. Wilkinson joins former Warrior running back Jarret Smith who is entering his fifth season with Hamilton. Hamilton opened the 2001 season in Regina last week against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

In other football news, Waterloo defensive back Matt McKnight will be re-joining the Warriors for his fifth and final season. McKnight was one of the final cuts of the Toronto Argos at CFL training camp. Triantafilou said "Matt had a very productive camp and impressed all the coaches." McKnight will be back in Waterloo for the 2001 season. The Warriors open their season Monday, September 3, against cross-town rival Wilfrid Laurier in the "Battle of Waterloo".

Tuesday notes

uwstudent.org is hosting its first-ever "developer kitchen" this Wednesday, July 11, at 5 p.m. in MC 4042. Organizers call it a chance to "learn about the backend of uwstudent.org -- what makes the site tick..." and add: "you don't need to be a programmer to attend."

Guest speaker and lecturer Patsy Marshall will be doing a workshop on "Achieving Work and Personal Life Balance" today from 8:30 to 4:30. The workshop is presented by the committee for Staff Training and Development.

Volunteers interested in being artists' assistants, tour guides and greeters are invited to help with the 'and then we take berlin' Contemporary Art Forum, September 15 to 23, at Kitchener City Hall. For more information or to sign up for volunteer training sessions, contact project coordinator (and UW sessional instructor) Andrew Wright at 741-2661.

Avvey Peters

Editor of the Daily Bulletin: Chris Redmond
Information and Public Affairs, University of Waterloo
credmond@uwaterloo.ca | (519) 888-4567 ext. 3004
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