UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Moffitt, Jill
Dept./Program:
College of Education and Social Services
Year:
2009
Degree:
Ed. D.
Abstract:
In an effort to quantify the affect of campus recreation programs on student satisfaction in higher education, campus recreation professionals have collected empirical data demonstrating the relationship between participation in recreational programming and retention. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between participation in Intramural Sports and student satisfaction with the collegiate experience. Additionally the study investigated differences among users of the program and amount of participation in regards to perceptions of student satisfaction. The study also introduced the Campus Recreation Participation Ladder as a heuristic model specific to campus recreation professionals. (CRPL©).
The instrument used for testing the research questions was the College Senior Survey, developed and supplied by the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI). The instrument considered several influences of student satisfaction including intramural sport participation. The primary investigator created an end sum score for the survey which was informed with the help of the HERI, but ultimately modified for the purpose of this study. Scales were created for analysis of the data and were found to be reliable with a Cronbach's Alpha calculation of at least .7 for each scale.
Participants (users) were identified as using the intramural sport program at least 3 times and non-users were selected as individuals that have not participated in the program during their collegiate experience. All subjects were full time enrolled undergraduates.
The results of the study indicated that there was a significant difference between users and non-users regarding perceptions about satisfaction with academic life and satisfaction with campus life participation. No significant difference between users and non-users was found on the scales of leadership and happiness. Satisfaction levels of users based on the amount of participation approached significance and warrants further investigation. Implications of the results on the use of the heuristic model were discussed and further suggestions for filhire research are listed.
The instrument used for testing the research questions was the College Senior Survey, developed and supplied by the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI). The instrument considered several influences of student satisfaction including intramural sport participation. The primary investigator created an end sum score for the survey which was informed with the help of the HERI, but ultimately modified for the purpose of this study. Scales were created for analysis of the data and were found to be reliable with a Cronbach's Alpha calculation of at least .7 for each scale.
Participants (users) were identified as using the intramural sport program at least 3 times and non-users were selected as individuals that have not participated in the program during their collegiate experience. All subjects were full time enrolled undergraduates.
The results of the study indicated that there was a significant difference between users and non-users regarding perceptions about satisfaction with academic life and satisfaction with campus life participation. No significant difference between users and non-users was found on the scales of leadership and happiness. Satisfaction levels of users based on the amount of participation approached significance and warrants further investigation. Implications of the results on the use of the heuristic model were discussed and further suggestions for filhire research are listed.