Campus Recreation was established in 1975 through a student referendum that supported its initiation and associated compulsory student fees. It operated under the governance of a constitution approved by the University of Calgary Board of Governors. The constitution provided for the annual establishment of the Campus Recreation Committee composed of representatives from the university community, including five undergraduate students, one representative each from graduate students, faculty, staff, alumni and the Faculty of Kinesiology, and the Director of Campus Recreation. The committee's responsibilities included annually reviewing and approving compulsory student and membership fee schedules and the annual operating budget, reviewing the activities of Campus Recreation, and providing advice and feedback to the Director.

In 2010, Campus Recreation became University of Calgary Active Living, a term which better reflected the fact that the wide range of health, fitness, recreation, children and youth, and outdoor programs were available to the general public as well as the University community. Active Living is part of the Faculty of Kinesiology.