University Recreation’s decision to close the Student Recreation Complex’s gates has resulted in less than desirable feedback. Though University Recreation implemented the gate closure to give University students their money’s worth, the vandalism in response to the entry change has ended up taking money away from the department’s funds.The new UREC gate closure policy, implemented Jan. 20, requires students to walk through UREC and swipe their student IDs to access the outdoor basketball, tennis and volleyball courts.The increasing number of non-members using the student-funded facilities was the incentive behind the gate closure policy, which requires students to get an extra workout instead of taking the convenient shortcut through the unguarded SRC gates.”We’ve … had [the gate closure] in discussion for a number of years,” said Michael Giles Jr., University Recreation associate director of operations and project management. “However, when Gustav came and … put our basketball courts outside, we noticed a huge increase in non-members accessing the complex.”Non-members take away space from paying students, Giles said. To prevent this, the gates are now closed at 4 p.m. Friday through Monday morning and remain closed Saturday and Sunday.But not everyone agrees with this action. In addition to several complaints, the costly signs indicating the entrance change have been vandalized and a basketball goal broken.The recent retaliations will take $700 out of University Recreation’s funds, according to Giles. “That $700 could be used for any number of things that could be more beneficial [to students] than replacing damaged property,” Giles said. University Recreation has also received reports of fence-jumping, mainly on the weekends, according to Tricia Milford-Hoyt, University Recreation assistant director of marketing and membership.”I’d like to see … students take responsibility … and take some pride into [UREC],” Giles said. “If [students] see somebody damaging something … let us know.”Some students, like grad student Ike Onyenekwu, don’t seem to mind “sharing” the UREC with non-members.”It’s not like there’s a line of people [waiting to use the courts],” Onyenekwu said. “I do see the rationale behind what they are doing … but I just don’t think I’d care that much.”But University Recreation administrators urge students to start caring.”The signs alone are $200,” Giles said. “And the fences are … not designed to have people jumping over them. At some point, there’s going to be additional damage … and money that could be going to better use.”University Recreation is unaware of who is responsible for the sign defacement but is looking to install external security cameras to prevent future vandalism and excessive funds from being used.”Safety is our number one measure,” Giles said. “And though it might seem like a minor inconvenience … that [students] don’t have that direct access, the security of that complex is really in the best interest of … its members.”- – – -Contact Natalie Roy at [email protected]