Fuel, food, and utility costs are going up causing us all to experience the effects of inflation. Services on college and university campuses are certainly feeling the squeeze. So, it wasn’t lightly that NIRSA’s leadership decided to implement the first increase to membership dues in four years. A three percent increase to membership dues will take effect on July 1, 2022.
Students will pay an additional $2 for a year’s membership; professionals will see a four-to-five-dollar increase. Colleges and universities—depending on the size and makeup of their campus community—will pay between $10 and $55 more for their annual membership dues after July 1.
As we delve into the 2021-2024 NIRSA Strategic Plan and strategic priorities, we invite members to see how the Association continues to bring value to your membership and how we’ll continue to highlight the value that campus recreation brings to our communities of higher learning: Check out the 2022 Annual Meeting of Members recording.
Why be a NIRSA member?
Individuals and institutions choose to affiliate with NIRSA for many reasons. Some members point to the portfolio of professional development opportunities—having access to competency-based learning is critical to skill growth and program improvements.
Some members point to the material benefits of membership. Savings from discounts to in-person learning events, sports tournament participation, certifications, insurance premiums, job postings, and more offset—or even pay for—the cost of membership dues for individuals and institutions.
Access to published resources like the Recreational Sports Journal and Athletic Business Magazine continue to deliver value for members looking to stay on top of the latest peer-reviewed research and emerging trends. And the new NIRSA Learning platform offers hundreds of digital educational resources, including on-demand webinars – all discounted, and in some cases free, for members.
Many members repeatedly point to NIRSA as a facilitator of professional networking. Career professionals working in campus recreation and wellbeing leverage NIRSA platforms to position themselves as thought leaders in the field and to connect with colleagues. Whether it be through caucus participation, formal or informal mentoring relationships, distinction through industry awards, or just gut checking an idea or policy on NIRSA Connect, the Association provides many avenues to advance career ambitions.
And many know a thriving and vibrant professional association can make a huge difference in amplifying the ripples of healthy, equitable, and sustainable communities across the board.
Stretch your professional development dollars
Institutions trying to maximize unused end-of-year funds can also save 5%–10% on institutional, professional, and student membership dues by taking advantage of multi-year renewal discounts. Renewing for more than one year will help you stretch your dollars.
Even if your membership expires after the increase takes effect, you can still take advantage of current rates by renewing any time before July 1! Regardless of when you pay your dues, another year of paid membership is tacked on to your existing expiration date.
You can either renew online or print the renewal form for your individual or institutional membership and mail it in with your preferred form of payment.
- For more information, please contact NIRSA Membership.
Christine Haluzak is currently NIRSA's Director of Membership and Leadership Programs; she is available at christine.haluzak@nirsa.org.
