It is common sense that we try to get the most out of the services we pay for, especially if they are taxpayer-funded. Like taxation, full-time University students are required to pay student fees to fund different University services, including Tiger Trails, the Student Health Center and University Recreation Center, whether they use them or not. The University charges full-time students $200 per semester plus tax, except for most of June and July, to fund the UREC. Like some governmental programs that are inept but we are required to pay for, the UREC is an example of a service wherein the quality does not match the fees.
In June 2013, the UREC began its ambitious expansion and expected the facility to finish its upgrades during the summer of 2016. As of today, the expansion is still under construction. The fees were increased by $35 dollars per semester since the beginning of the expansion, while the expansion cost $84.75 million dollars. The officials allowed non-student members to cancel their contracts with the facility during the construction, but they require full-time students to fund the project through increased student fees.
Even though the facility remains functional during the expansion, many amenities, including the swimming pool, were unavailable for long periods of time, while other functions such as the indoor running trail remained closed. Some amenities are not fully functional. For instance, if I were to swim in the facility today, I would have to walk to the other end of the complex, soaked, in order to use the shower because the nearby locker room is closed. Though common areas such as the weight area remain available, the machines have been in the basketball courts for two years because of the expansion delays. So, there were only three basketball courts available to serve the entire University until a segment of the expansion was open to its members in July 2016. Maintenance of the amenities is not efficient and the facility is infested with odors. As recreation options decrease, the fees skyrocket.
To compensate the students, the officials decided to provide free membership to full-time students enrolled during the period of construction up to two years after graduation. Students who plan to leave Baton Rouge after graduation would not receive any benefit as they would be unable to take advantage of the free membership. One of my former roommates was an international student from Beijing, China, and he is unable to use the free membership provided as he would not return to Baton Rouge regularly simply to use the facility. If the officials are sincere to provide their apologies of the dismal quality, they would not increase our fees, allow us to opt out of the program or reimburse the affected students their fees after the expansion.
My experience with the UREC has allowed me to taste the medicine of taxation; we are obligated to pay for nonessential services that are unsatisfactory. The officials informed us the expansion would open in February, and the original building would be closed for renovation. I do not anticipate the expansion would near finish any time soon. It is imperative for the University to understand that students work double-digit hours per week after classes to pay for their basic expenses, and fees such as those UREC further increase their burden to fund a facility that could have been fully functional without any form of expansion.
Kevin Yau is a 21-year-old sociology student senior from Prairieville, Louisiana.