Elevating Residence Life at the University of South Alabama
When the University of South Alabama set out to improve student engagement and enhance residence hall life, they knew they needed an innovative solution. Enter RecRe—an automated self-service rental platform designed to give students on-demand access to essential items, recreational equipment, and more. What started as a pilot has quickly become a game-changer, empowering students to take control of their own campus experience.
A 24/7 Resource for Students
Residence halls are more than just a place to sleep—they’re where students connect, collaborate, and build lifelong memories. However, before RecRe, students at USA faced a common challenge: limited access to shared resources like ping pong paddles, billiards sets, and essential supplies. With front desks operating only between 8 AM and 5 PM, students often had to adjust their schedules to borrow items, or worse, go without them.
Now, thanks to RecRe, students can check out everything from gaming equipment to phone chargers at any hour of the day. As Residence Life Coordinator Temple James puts it:
“The RecRe box has quickly become a favorite in the building. It’s helpful for students to access certain things without needing our staff, and the software is easy to use. The RecRe box improves students’ experience on campus and helps them practice being responsible at the same time.”
By the Numbers: RecRe’s Impact at USA
Since launching RecRe’s rental boxes, the housing team has seen a significant boost in student engagement. Here’s what the data from 2024 reveals:
- 🕰️ 56% of all rentals occurred outside of front desk hours
- 🌙 9 PM is the peak rental time—showing students are utilizing RecRe after hours
Most popular rental items:
- 🎱 Billiards Set -> 2.🏓 Ping Pong Set -> 3.🛒 Collapsible Cart
See for yourself what other inventory is in the boxes in the USA in real-time by clicking their campus profile.
A New Approach to Student Engagement
Rather than dictating what students can borrow, USA has taken a student-centric approach by allowing residence hall governments to influence the locker inventory. Through a custom QR code suggestion system, students can request new items, ensuring the lockers stay stocked with what they actually need.
Executive Director of Student Housing, Jeremy Sheffield, Ed.D., sees RecRe as more than just a convenient tool:
“To us administrators, RecRe is the ideal student engagement tool. To students, it offers a chance for them to reflect on what they need to be successful in life. It’s not just a matter of excelling academically, but having access to and saving money on the tools to make [students] more successful in their time on campus.”
More Than Just Rentals—A Shift in Campus Culture
RecRe isn’t just changing the way students access campus resources—it’s redefining residence life at USA. The ability to check out items independently has encouraged responsibility, collaboration, and community-building within residence halls.
The Future of RecRe at USA
With four rental boxes now placed across campus, USA is already seeing a return on investment—not just in student savings on items they don’t need to buy but in the quality of campus life. As student demand grows, there’s potential for even more expansion, allowing RecRe to continue providing convenient, cost-saving solutions to South Alabama’s thriving student body.
At RecRe, we’re proud to partner with institutions like the University of South Alabama to empower students, reduce barriers, and enhance the campus experience—one rental at a time.
