Welcome week is a time to connect with new students. It’s a chance to show them what you have to offer. The hope is they will become engaged with campus rec from that point on, allowing you to impact their physical, mental and emotional wellness.
As such, take a look at these welcome events held around the country and the top lessons learned from each.
Cleveland State University (CSU)
Matt Schmiedl, Assistant Director of Marketing and Advertising, CENTERS LLC
Welcome Week Events:
- Rock the Rec: During Welcome Week, the rec center is open for students to try activities and programs, play games, win prizes, hang out with friends, and learn about the semester’s schedule.
- Demo Weeks: During the first two weeks of the semester, the premium fitness programs are free for students and rec center members to try. There is no obligation to purchase a pass. Anyone who participates in a demo also receives a discount coupon to use should they decided to join the program. The current premium fitness programs at CSU include F45 Training and Pink Gloves Boxing. In the past, however, CSU has also offered programs like Kettlebell Training, TRX, Acro Yoga and Boxing Bootcamp.
- Membership Promotions: Promotions feature a few different options that bundle various services, programs and membership types together to help the local community, faculty and staff save money.
Top Lessons Learned:
- Think about events as experiences from marketing to follow-up communication like surveys.
- Plan ahead and involve every area of campus recreation.
- Involve students to gain direct insights, elicit word of mouth marketing and offer development opportunities in project management and leadership.