Thinking Outside the Box: A Campus Engagement "Magazine"
Across the country, campuses are asking a big question: How can we do more with less while still meeting evolving student expectations?
Our new Campus Engagement Kit was created to spark ideas and show how universities are already using RecRe in creative ways to boost engagement, extend access, and create memorable experiences.
This isn’t a product catalog. It is about sharing ideas that any campus can use for inspiration.
Why We Built This ‘Zine
RecRe has grown because every campus that adopts it finds a slightly different way to make it their own. What started with basketballs and vacuums has expanded into student unions, residence halls, rec centers, and even academic labs. We’ve seen portable projectors spark movie nights at UC Berkeley, free vacuums save Auburn families $120 a year, and cameras fuel late-night creativity at UNC Charlotte’s media lab .
The campus engagement kit collects these stories, examples, and strategies to help you imagine what RecRe could mean on your campus.
The Power of Inventory Alignment
One of the key ideas highlighted is what we call inventory location alignment. It’s simple but powerful: put the right gear in the right place.
– Basketballs by the courts.
– Calculators in the math building.
-Cleaning supplies in residence halls.
When the gear matches the space, usage skyrockets—and students feel like their campus is working with them, not against them .
Campus Use Cases Featured in the Magazine
The magazine showcases real-world examples across departments:
Student Unions: UC Berkeley and Emory use RecRe to keep social hubs buzzing long after staff go home. Students can grab a game controller, projector, or even art supplies at any hour .
Residence Life: Auburn and Cincinnati make essentials like vacuums and Tide Pods available 24/7—improving sustainability and saving parents money.
Campus Recreation: Utah State and Boise State redesigned staffing models, cutting turnover while giving students seamless access to sports gear and billiards equipment .
Academic Spaces: Auburn and UNC Charlotte provide cameras, lab kits, and calculators so students can create and study on their schedule, not just office hours.
Marketing Matters Too
It’s not just about stocking gear—it’s about visibility. The magazine highlights creative approaches:
Social Media: TikToks and Instagram posts reaching millions.
Physical Signage: Wayfinding decals at Point Loma guiding students to the locker.
Digital Screens: RecRe highlighted on the University of Florida’s website and Ole Miss’s Student Union TVs .
These examples show how campuses make RecRe feel like a central part of student life.
One Platform, Many Departments
Another theme is cross-campus collaboration. Student Affairs, Recreation, Housing, and even Athletics are all leveraging RecRe in different ways. By sharing data on what students actually use, campuses can adapt programming and support in real time instead of guessing .
A Call to Imagine
The Campus Engagement Magazine closes with a simple challenge: think about one or two unique ways RecRe could make your campus more engaging, accessible, and student-friendly. Whether that means late-night study supplies, new weekend recreation options, or everyday essentials, RecRe is a flexible tool that adapts to the culture of your institution.
We built this resource to inspire new thinking. Now we can’t wait to see what you imagine.
