The operating hours of University of La Verne’s athletic facility could be in for a change if Associated Students of La Verne makes a proposal to the Athletic Department.
During the club fair on Feb. 14, ASULV handed out surveys to students asking their opinions on the athletic facility.
Some of the questions asked included: “Are the weight and cardio room hours sufficient and convenient; and at what time of day would you prefer to workout?”
For the latter question, students were given five options to choose from. In addition, the survey asked students if they had gym memberships and how often they made use of them.
Currently, the weight room is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 12-6 p.m. and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
On Friday, the weight room is open from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The cardio room hours however, differ from day to day. On Monday it is open from noon to 2 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; on Tuesday it is open from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. On Wednesday it is open from noon to 2 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. On Thursday, it is open from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., noon to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Friday it is open from 10 a.m. to noon
“The current hours are inconsistent and do not meet students’ needs,” said Chanel Kaufman, an ASULV senator for the College of Arts and Sciences. “The hours are not broad enough to accommodate all students’ interests.”
If a student has a class or has to work during these times then he or she cannot go to the athletic facility to workout during these times.
Some students said that a change in the operating hours of the facility would be a positive thing.
“That’d be great because then maybe I could use it at night,” said Joyce DeLeon, a junior biology major.
A student could have classes from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays and then have to go to work for six hours afterwards. If this student wanted to workout, he or she would need the athletic facility to be open during the early morning hours. Conversely, if a student had to work in the mornings and had classes until 5 p.m. then he or she would need the athletic facility to be open during the early evening and at night.
“It’s a great opportunity for anyone who wants to workout who has a tight schedule,” said Stephanie Garcia, a freshman business major.
Some students would not be affected by the changes, but still think the change would be positive.
At other colleges and universities, the athletic facilities are open longer so that more students can use them.
For example, at Occidental College the athletic facility is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday. On Friday, it is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. On the weekends the athletic facility is open from 12 p.m. to 5p.m. There is no additional fee to use the athletic facility.
At the University of Redlands, the Currier Gym is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. On Friday, the gym is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On the weekends, it is open from 12 p.m. to 5p.m. There is a student services fee of $162.
The Athletic Department will be making the final decision regarding the hours of operation. It is not known when a final decision will be reached.
“ASULV has the opportunity to give this survey and possibly suggest a change to the Athletic Department,” said Elizabeth Keagy, ASULV senator pro temp.
If the changes are made, it is possible that students who receive Federal Work Study could work those extra hours that the facility is open.
As of now, ASULV does not know where this extra money to pay the workers will come from.
ASULV is continuing to gather students’ opinions. Students can answer surveys by contacting ASULV at (909) 593-3511, Ext. 4484.
Hilda Ann Venegas can be reached at hvenegas@ulv.edu.
Journalism operations manager at the University of La Verne. Production manager and business manager of the Campus Times.