6.04

Evidence of Compliance: 

The Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies has access to a range of instructional spaces that support general education, major-specific coursework, and applied learning in alignment with the program’s academic goals.

Classroom Access

Classroom space is scheduled in coordination with the College of Health and Human Services and the University Office of Enrollment Services. While space availability is impacted by increasing campus-wide enrollment, the department consistently receives appropriate allocations for its scheduled courses. The department’s Administrative Support Coordinator works within the university’s administrative computing system to assign classrooms and coordinate requests for specialized space, which are routinely honored by the Dean’s Office.

The Outbac Challenge Course

In 2015, the department acquired a low elements challenge course that was formerly managed by the Department of Kinesiology. This on campus resource had been abandoned, and was in danger of being removed. Instead, RLS faculty dedicated significant time and effort to repair and operationalize the course, including the development of an undergraduate General Education Class specifically designed to teach students how to facilitate experiential activities at the course (REC 201 Teamwork and Group Dynamics). Starting in Fall 2023, REC 201 also became a core class for all recreation management majors. Additionally, in Fall 2024 a new full time lecturer and course manager position was filled, and the Outbac is now fully operational for internal and external reservations, in addition to a lab space for REC 201. This space is unique to CSULB, as other challenge course facilities across the CSU system are housed in Associated Students, not academic departments. For more information about the please visit our Outbac page. 

RLS Department Labs

With the help of faculty applying for internal grants, the department has been able to create three labs that are used to augment instruction, and facilitate student/faculty research opportunities. One grant type is funded through the State of California lottery program, and the second grant source is from student fees (called Student Excellence Fees, or SEF). Both of these grants are offered through a competitive application process, and RLS faculty have worked together to create access to technology for our students. Example grant application templates can be found here. 

Lottery Funds: 

Lottery funds are intended for instructional purposes and prohibits the funding of capital outlay, research, non‐instructional activities, and faculty salaries. The activity or equipment funded must represent a bona fide educational and instructional experience that contributes directly to the education of a students, or leads to the development of a program or course.  Lottery funds may not be used to pay faculty salaries, gifts or hospitality, and is meant to augment the General Fund, not to replace departmental operational costs.

Student Excellence Funds:

The main criterion for awards is technology directly benefitting student learning and student success. The highest priorities include student computer labs, high technology classrooms, and other instructional equipment and lab equipment that enhances student learning. The second priority is assigned to maintenance, support, and training for instructional technology. Other requests may be supportable if funds are available, so long as uses involve “technology that touches students.” Salaries are not permitted in the SEF funding.

RLS Faculty Proposals have been successful in creating: 

• Recreation Therapy Virtual Reality Lab

  • Developed through both grant sources (Lottery and SEF)

  • A dedicated Recreation Therapy VR Lab space, including VR headsets, computer stations, storage, furniture, and supplies to facilitate VR experiences. Students and faculty have utilized this space for VR programs and faculty research. 

• Mobile Computer Lab

  • Since our department does not have a dedicated computer lab, a proposal was developed, and awarded, to create a mobile laptop lab. This resulted in a cart with 18 laptops that can can be wheeled into any classroom and utilized by students and faculty. Faculty teaching REC 341 Evaluation and Research in Leisure Services, and REC 323 Park and Recreation Facility Operations use this cart regularly. 

• UAV/Drone Lab

  • As technology becomes more accessible, faculty have sought creative ways to utilize emerging technology in courses. This resulted in a successful proposal for 9 UAV's from DJI, and assorted controllers and replacement parts. This drone lab has been used in REC 323 Park and Recreation Facility Operations, where students pass the FAA TRUST certificate for recreational UAV Flights and incorporate drone flights into park inspections in collaboration with local park and recreation agencies. 

For content-specific experiential learning, the department uses off-campus and community-based instructional sites, including:

• The Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation & Marine, where students conduct site-based programming and assessments

• The CSULB Student Recreation and Wellness Center, which serves as a lab setting for courses such as REC 453 and REC 458/558 in Recreation Therapy

• American Gold Star Manor- a contract was developed by RT Faculty to provide programming for AGSM as a way for RT students to gain valuable hands-on experience in service delivery in collaboration with both faculty and AGSM staff for residents in that facility. 

These lab and classroom settings provide real-world, hands-on learning opportunities that align with COAPRT expectations and the department’s commitment to professional preparation and community engagement.