UHCL ramping up campus recreation, residential life

September 19, 2017 | Jim Townsend

University of Houston-Clear Lake added two new departments to its Student Services and Resources division in a goal to create more campus activity and a greater sense of community, says Darlene Biggers, associate vice president for student services.

Following a national search, the university hired Brian Mills as director of the newly created Department of Campus Recreation and Amy Snyder as director of Student Housing and Residential Life, in anticipation of the opening of UH-Clear Lake’s first residence hall.

For now, Mills reports to Biggers. Snyder reports to Dean of Students David Rachita.

Biggers said the decision to create the new departments was among recommendations by a campus-wide committee charged with shaping UHCL’s student experiences – work that began at least five years before the university open its doors to freshmen and sophomores in 2014. Other recommendations were a Recreation and Wellness Center, now under construction, and a traditional residence hall, which is expected to break ground this fall.

“We needed to increase student engagement on campus and develop more of a campus life – and a way for students to develop community, connect and learn outside the classroom,” she said.

Changing the culture of what students expect

Set to open fall 2018, the $38.2 million Recreation and Wellness Center will house the university’s Exercise and Health Science program, Fitness and Human Performance program, general instruction classrooms and recreational facilities, including two basketball-volleyball courts, a multi-activity court for indoor soccer, hockey and other sports, exercise and weight-training rooms and an elevated three-lane running track.

In the meantime, Mills says it’s important to give students something to do – and start raising expectations for the future. He says intends to develop programs – tournaments, team sports and intramurals – that promote healthy lifestyles, teamwork and enthusiasm to strengthen personal and professional growth.

“It's going to take time to change the culture of what students expect and what they can be a part of. Intramural sports can be something that you just show up and play and have a great time,” Mills said. “But we’d like to take it to the next level, where students know what to be looking out for, and start making their own teams for things like kickball, flag football or basketball.

“While this building is under construction, one of my big focuses is going to be what we can do now for the students who are paying this fee,” said Mills, who came to UHCL from University of Houston.

Cultivate positive growth

“Some parents of our freshmen and sophomores have said, ‘We don't want them living in an apartment. We want them living in a residence hall.’ Until now, we haven't been able to meet that need,” Biggers said.

As a result of that need, a suite-style, 300-bed residence hall is expected to be ready for occupancy in the fall of 2019. Plans are to build it adjacent to the campus Student Services and Classroom Building.

The hall will complement the privately-run University Forest Apartments, which are located on campus off Bay Area Boulevard. About 280 students lease one- to four-bedroom facilities there. Hundreds more students lease other apartments within walking distance, Biggers noted.

When the residence hall opens, Biggers expects it to be filled by a mix of students. Over time, she says, she foresees it filled with freshmen and sophomores.

“We really think both housing areas will expand and grow in the future. There's a real advantage to living on campus. First of all, you're not taking time commuting. It's safer than having to commute. And then the properties would be filled with UHCL students,” she said.

 “We're not looking to build a dorm, or a barracks or just a place to sleep. We’re building a residential life program,” said Snyder, who most recently held a similar position at the University of Montana in Bozeman.

The program will include components intended to help students thrive outside their parental home environment, develop good personal and interpersonal habits – and learn more about themselves, Snyder said.

“You're always learning about each other. You're learning about yourself through each other. That happens when you are in close quarters with 300 people. That happens organically. But we need the infrastructure to cultivate positive growth.”

“Intentionally, this residence hall will be more in the center of the campus,” Biggers said. “We want our freshmen and sophomores to be close to the resources. They’ll be just a few steps away from the Recreation and Wellness and from the Student Services and Classroom Building, where they can congregate. Most of their support services, tutoring and student organizations are in the SSCB.

“It’s our intention to get them here, get them engaged early on, and get them connected and committed to the university.”

Game-changer

“They are going to be beautiful buildings,” Biggers said of the planned facilities, including a $65.7 million STEM and Classroom Building under construction next to the Recreation and Wellness Center.

“But the real value is going to come from what happens inside the buildings,” Biggers said. “We want to create experiences within the buildings that will help students grow, develop and engage with one another to develop a sense of belonging.

“So far it’s been a lot of hard work. And it’s going to continue to be a lot of hard work. But it’s a game-changer for the university.”