COLUMN: Facts about the rec center
In response to the editorial published Wednesday, I felt it would be appropriate to clarify several of the comments.
During the 1999-2000 academic school year, a committee of students was formed to begin preliminary research for a student recreation center on the Utah State University campus. Student surveys conducted at the time indicated that 93.7 percent of USU students were interested in such a facility. The survey was conducted by a committee comprised of USU students with representation from diverse populations.
University administration was totally supportive of this proposal and recognized the enhancement to the quality of life for students attending USU. The state-of-the-art facility could not be constructed without student fees. If passed, an $11.50 per semester design fee would be implemented. Once the facility opened, this fee would increase to $63 per semester, which is the equivalent of a $15 per month membership to a fitness center. Planned increases in student enrollment would enable the fee to remain constant for 10 years or longer. In order to make the proposed center affordable to everyone, the proposed fee would be mandatory.
The approved referendum was given endorsement by the President’s Office and the Board of Trustees. However, the Board of Regents felt they needed more information and time to make a prudent recommendation.
During this time, the Sports Academy contacted university officials suggesting they would like to be involved in this process. They offered a few options; purchase by the university of their existing facility or construction of a private facility here on campus (which would leave all policy making in their hands).
Obtaining a college education is very costly. USU administrators make every possible effort to keep costs at a minimum. A student recreation center fee would be an addition to the existing student fees. However, an opportunity to provide a recreation facility exclusively for students is one that deserves a closer look.
Expansion of existing facilities has also been addressed and appears to be a viable alternative. State moneys may be available for such a project. However, right now the HPER Building sits at No. 10 on a list of buildings in need of expansion.
Studies have shown there is a direct correlation to recreational opportunities and the recruitment, retention and academic success of student populations. If at any time students have an opportunity to visit other campuses with a recreation center, we would invite you to take a look. Visit with the students you will find there. Ask them how they feel about paying a few additional dollars in order to have such a facility available to them at times when it is convenient for them.
Students are welcome to drop by the Campus Recreation Office (HPER, Room 126) and visit with us. We would be more than willing to answer any questions you may have.
Deanne Williams is the director of Campus Recreation at Utah State University.