Fitness center takes $1.50 of student fees
Four dollars of the increases in student fees that will go into effect in the fall are for Campus Recreation.
The $4 fee has been divided for two main purposes.
Shelly Swasey, Associated Students of Utah State University Athletics vice president, explained that $1.50 of that fee will go toward the upkeep of the new Fitness Center in the Fieldhouse. This includes the expenses of repairs and replacement of equipment, along with employee wages, which have increased since the hours at the new center were extended.
The remaining $2.50 will go to Campus Recreation as a whole.
About 4,000 students use recreation facilities each day, and 100 are employed.
Scott Wamsley of Campus Recreation said, “We would like to see more, but we realize that they are outgrowing us.”
In intramural sports alone, there are about 6,000 students, Swasey explained. This draws a crowd of around 35,000 spectators.
“It is well-attended, and needs to be well-maintained,” she said.
Campus Recreation includes intramural sports, sport clubs, the Outdoor Recreation Center, and all of the informal-recreation/free-time facilities.
“We need to keep the equipment new so it is not breaking down and causing as great of a risk,” Swasey said.
The new fees will help with repair and replacement of the equipment, employee salaries, and the R&R fund that will help with major purchases in the future, Wamsley said.
“The fees are to maintain everything for the students. We buy for them, so we can keep their activities going with good equipment,” he said.
Unlike some organizations that seek an annual increase, Campus Recreation hasn’t gone before the University Student Fee Board for six years.
“They just weren’t able to keep up with inflation anymore,” Swasey said. “They need to get some money in there to keep all the programs going.
“We feel that by having this money granted, Campus Recreation won’t be in every year for additional increases. This will help take Campus Recreation to the next level, so we can continue to get students involved,” she said.
Wamsley said, “Our main goal is to benefit the students at Utah State.”
Emily Turner, a senior, said, “My interests don’t extend as far as all the organizations involved, so I’d prefer not to pay for what I’m not involved in.”
Senior Missy Thomas said, “I think that the students should only have to pay for what they participate in.”
Junior Brad Hales disagrees.
“I throw away $4 at Burger King, so who cares. If they get $4 from everyone, they can do a lot of good. It is going to support some good things,” he said.
Sophomore Matt Peterson said, “Intramural and club sports are really important to a lot of people. I don’t have a problem with paying the few extra dollars.”
–julia@cc.usu.edu