Vermont Systems Technology Powers UVM’s Rec Program

Source: Campus Rec

Technology is integrated into many parts of our lives now. From portable devices to transportation and recreation, it has become wholly engrained in daily life. While older generations can remember a time without the influence of highly developed technology, younger generations don’t. As such, technology can be a valuable tool and help you connect with younger users.

For example, Cyrus Carey, the associate director of Campus Recreation for Operations at the University of Vermont (UVM), explained how the university is taking advantage of smartphones.

Instead of relying on ID cards to enter UVM’s Patrick-Forbush-Gutterson Athletic Complex, RFID scanners from Schlage can detect entry access from users’ phones. It’s a big upgrade from physical cards that can get lost or biometric scanners UVM previously used that didn’t work consistently.

“They rarely have issues, and students don’t have to worry about forgetting their card because it’s very unlikely they’ll forget their phone,” said Carey. “But if they do, we can still look them up in our system.”

Turnstiles and RFID readers are scattered throughout the facility which helps Campus Rec track the popularity of different areas and activities. Using RecTrac software from Vermont Systems, UVM can determine times of high and low usage which influences decision-making.

Plus, when UVM Campus Rec opened a new MAC facility, they wanted to figure out the best programming to offer. They have what Carey called Programmed Open Rec for indoor soccer, volleyball, pickleball, basketball and hockey, and tracked the number of participants for each session.

“We have different purpose codes which are connected to an activity,” explained Carey. “Through them, we can then analyze what’s most popular and what times of day we’re seeing the most or least amount of traffic. We make adjustments based on that collected data.”

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