The University often disregards student necessities, and the University Recreation Facility on campus is no exception. Everyone knows a part of one’s college experience is the hardship of trying to live a healthy lifestyle but not being able to. The “Freshman 15” is very real.
The University should take steps to lessen this problem and provide opportunities for students to live healthy lifestyles if they desire. Restricting the UREC’s hours restricts the opportunity students have to live healthy lives.
The facility contains amenities that focus on all aspects of health: mind, body and soul. These three aspects of health are important for college students, in particular. The University’s mental health services at the Student Health Center are difficult to access, so the amenities in the UREC for mental health are even more important.
The meditation room is used by students to meditate and relieve stress they obtain from the busy life of being a student. Yoga and meditation classes are offered to students in addition to the fitness classes they offer. The UREC provides mental health opportunities; however, they restrict them when they restrict the hours of the facility.
The fitness center is a state-of-the-art recreation center with extravagant renovations. The expansion completed in the last few years has made the facility large enough to accommodate all students.
“The UREC has approximately 250,000 square feet of recreation space that includes cardio equipment, weight equipment, functional training space, studios, classrooms, climbing area, and indoor courts,” stated on the UREC website.
These renovations have allowed for all students to be accounted for, allowing the UREC to have 9.5 square feet per person. These improvements have made it possible for all students to achieve a healthy lifestyle if they desire it. Despite this, the hours of operation the UREC possesses limit these benefits.
The UREC doesn’t stay open past midnight, and closes early on Friday. The hours are sporadic and not accommodating to the typical student. Closing at 10 p.m. on Friday restricts students from relieving stress after a long, hectic school week.
The UREC is also run by student workers. Opening the UREC for 24 hours would provide even more opportunity for students to earn extra money. The residence halls and apartments on campus have student workers who work through the night at reception desks, earning extra money and using that time to complete school work.
The University should extend the UREC hours to 24 hours a day to maximize opportunity for students to lead healthy lifestyles. The mental and physical strength one can obtain from the amenities the UREC provides should not limited in any way.
Britany Diefenderfer is a 20-year old English literature junior from Thibodaux, Louisiana.
