Rec Center policies announced, include dress code

By Ashley Stiltson

Let’s face it: There seems to always be something under construction on campus.

But soon students will no longer have to skirt around the chained link fences and concrete roadblocks that surround the new Aggie Recreation Center. On Nov. 19, the ARC will be ready to open exclusively for students enrolled at Utah State University.

“We want students to love it, we want everyone to use it and we want everyone to feel comfortable in it,” said Thomas Rogers, USUSA athletics and campus recreation vice president. “I want people to walk in there and feel at home.”

According to the campus recreational website, Tyler Tolson, 2009 USU student body president, ran a campaign focused on building a new recreational student facility. The project was proposed in 2012 and received legislation approval in 2013.

Construction for the ARC began late 2013 and has cost around $30 million for permits, design, construction and equipment, according to the campus recreation website.

With new buildings come new policies, and the rules ARC will differ slightly from the USU Fieldhouse. Building policies include rules for everything from hours of operation, to what to do in emergencies, to dress codes.

The major difference between the two building policies will a change in dress standards for the ARC.

“We drafted the policy that would not only keep the students safe, but also maintain the equipment for as long as we can,” said Chase Ellis, director of campus recreation.

Some of the changes include requiring that shirts worn at all times that cover the front, back and sides of rec center users. Bottoms should not have zippers or buttons.

Rogers said campus culture does not play a role in influencing the dress policies.

“It’s about safety, and it’s about health,” Rogers said.

The new policy was approved by the USUSA Executive Council, who discussed in depth the effect the dress standards would have on students utilizing the ARC.

“In the new rec center they want to ensure the students are safe and the facility is safe as well,” said Madison Manors, USUSA public relations and marketing director. “If you understand the reasons behind the policy, I think it’s something that people will be able to get behind if they know the reasons as to why it’s being implemented.”

Marketing and well-informed staff will be key in educating students about the dress standards, Ellis said.

“We want to protect the user so they can enjoy the equipment as long as possible,” he said.

Both the executive council and campus recreation staff agree that the ARC will be an exciting and positive benefit for students and faculty at Utah State.

According to the campus recreation website, the ARC includes three full-size basketball/volleyball/badminton courts, outdoor basketball and volleyball, a large fitness center with locker rooms, an elevated indoor track, a climbing wall, and cardio and weight rooms.

Much of the equipment has been provided by Free Motion, Ellis said. The ARC is also going to be a beta testing site for Free Motion equipment that hasn’t been released into the public.

“My goal when I ran was to increase wellness at Utah State,” Rogers said. “I want many Aggies to experience this new beautiful rec center, to come there and feel proud to be an Aggie at Utah State.”

The ARC is the only building on campus funded entirely by student fees. Students concerned with any policies in the ARC are encouraged to talk to USUSA officers or the campus rec staff.

“If there are any students who are concerned about it, we’re more than happy to hear them out and answer any questions that they have,” Maners said.

— ashley.ruth.stilson@aggiemail.usu.edu