This system originated in the early 1980s at the University of Southern California under the direction of Jon Strauss, then senior vice president for Administration, and has been adopted by many universities including Indiana University. What the actual impacts will be on each campus will vary, but it does appear there will be a streamlining of courses, a possible mixing of disciplines into new courses and more creative delivery of courses. It may be best to view the next decade as another phase in the evolution of professional preparation for parks and recreation. Now, as higher education reconfigures itself again, so too will professional preparation in our field. As higher education changes to best meet the needs of the 21st century, so too will professional preparation programs.
Higher education is no different than any recreation agency.
Over time the demands and interests of the consumers change. The basic need for recreation, however, remains constant. The basic need of educating individuals to meet the needs of society remains a primary mission of higher education. Regina B. Glover, Ph.D., is chair of the Department of Health Education and Recreation at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She earned a bachelor's degree in Leisure Studies from the University of Illinois, a master's in Recreation from State University of New York at Cortland, and a doctorate in Recreation and Park Administration from the University of Maryland.