Footsteps echo in the empty hallway outside a quiet room in the Huey P. Long Fieldhouse. Tamara Jarrett’s eyes light up when the door swings open, and the room fills with laughter when yet another University Student Recreational Center employee enters the room. “We feel like a new business waiting for their first customer,” said Jarrett, UREC director. UREC officials are hosting open forums this week to inform students of the UREC fee increase and receive feedback on their plans. The second forum, held Wednesday, was unsuccessful in drawing even a single student. UREC officials think the dismal turnout signifies apathy, not weather, kept students from attending the first forum, held Tuesday night. “Maybe it was too cold today,” Jarrett joked. UREC officials placed advertisements for the forums in The Daily Reveille, on Student Union televisions and on the ResLife channel. Representatives were also in Free Speech Alley talking to students and handing out flyers. Jarrett said it is vital for students to attend the forums. “We are offering these forums so we can better understand students,” Jarrett said. “We want to know what’s on their minds, so if just one student would show up, we could pick their brain.” Jarrett said UREC officials are undeterred by the absence of students and will continue with the forums as planned. “We have two more forums to go,” Jarrett said. “And we’ll be there.” Jarrett has high hopes for today’s forum in the Union. “Maybe if it’s in a more centralized location, students will show up,” Jarrett said. “We can only hope.” The past two forums are scheduled for today. The first will be in the Union International Room at noon followed by the final forum in the West Campus Apartments Activity Center at 4:30 p.m.
—-Contact Katie Kennedy at [email protected]