Mission and Purpose

ACPA’s Commission for Recreation, Athletics, and Wellness (RAWC) will provide ACPA members with opportunities for professional development about issues of importance in campus recreational sports, intercollegiate (varsity) athletics and wellness in postsecondary education. In addition, acting within the ACPA governance structure and with ACPA International Office, RAWC will assist in positioning ACPA to be an informed voice on campus recreation, athletics, and wellness issues as those issues intersect with student affairs and with the strategic objectives of ACPA as an association.

RAWC Objectives

In congruence with ACPA’s strategic goals (knowledge & competencies, professional & career development, membership & recruitment), RAWC will capitalize on the unique strengths of ACPA to achieve the following objectives and outcomes:

  1. To focus on student learning and development— create professional development opportunities that will assist professionals to:
    1. Understand the impact of participation in recreational sports, athletics, and wellness activities on students; and to value the unique issues and concerns of students in association with their specific context of experience (recreation, athletics, wellness) through the lens of student learning and development.
    2. Articulate specific areas of knowledge and competencies that serve as student learning outcomes as a result of experience in programs and services in recreation, athletics, and wellness.
    3. Understand and use assessment methods appropriate in determining the manner and degree to which learning and development has occurred.
  2. To focus on creation and dissemination of knowledge— contribute to existing ACPA publications/materials and develop additional professional development publications/materials and opportunities that:
    1. Add to the existing body of knowledge on topics relevant to campus recreation, athletics, and wellness.
    2. Convey the unique contributions of a student affairs perspective to the appropriate bodies of knowledge on campus recreation, athletics, and wellness.
    3. Facilitate and encourage professional’s examination of the bodies of knowledge on campus recreation in support of informed and effective practice.
  3. To focus on the development of professional competencies paired with career advancement— assist in the articulation of the knowledge and skills needed by student affairs professionals who serve in or address issues in campus recreation, athletics, and/or wellness:
    1. As areas of skill and knowledge are defined, such definition will be utilized as a curricular foundation and rationale for programs, services, publications, and other forms of professional development offered by TFRA to ACPA members and student affairs professionals. This includes resources and programs for Alcohol and Other Drug facilitators. 
    2. Endorsements of specified knowledge and skills will be secured from relevant professional associations and relevant groups (NIRSA, NCAA, etc.)
    3. Quality professional and career development opportunities will be provided, year-round, that appeal to scholars and practitioners at every career level, including professional preparation. These opportunities will also include networking, programs, and activities at the national conference as well as other events for all ACPA members to help sustain a holistic culture through the various dimensions of wellness.   

 

Operating Documents

Proposal for Commission Merger (PDF) (Spring 2018)

Download the Operating Documents for the Commission for Recreation and Athletics (RAWC) (PDF) (as of September 10, 2010).

 

History

The Task Force for Recreation and Athletics was approved to join the permanent commission structure of ACPA as the Commission for Recreation and Athletics (CRA) in September of 2010. In March of 2018, ACPA approved the merger of the Commission for Recreation and Athletics and the Commission of Wellness to form the Recreation, Athletics, and Wellness Commission (RAWC).