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Editorial: UC fitness center is for students


During her Sept. 9 adviser’s report to the SGA senate, Dr. Katie High, vice chancellor of Student Affairs, said that some new faculty members were interested in using the student fitness center in the UC.

The last time that this issue surfaced was September 2001. The faculty senate was considering a resolution to submit to SGA to open the fitness center’s doors to faculty. No such resolution ever came to pass, so the issue was dropped.

Even then, the issue divided the SGA senate down the lines of free vs. paid membership. Many even considered the fitness center “off limits,” and that no membership fee would justify giving up sole usage of the center.

We tend to agree with the latter.

The faculty did not contribute the funds required to renovate the UC in the late 1990s, and therefore could not enjoy the same free service available to any UTM student.

But what if they paid a membership, just like they would to attend and use any other gym? To counter, the fitness center is already a busy venue during peak times. Students do not have many options when it comes to indoor fitness, aside from sit-ups in a dorm room.

Besides, who wants to do squat thrusts and lunges in front of their professors?