We’ve all been witnesses to it: a mob of people swarming all over the Coors Fitness Center at the Ritchie Center.
Whether it’s the dedicated New Year’s crowd fulfilling their very deep, non-superficial commitment to fitness, or the frat bros preening in front of the mirrors or those vapid throngs pursuing vanity for beach season, the gym is often packed.
This is why DU needs to transform it into a more exclusive venue and only allow students, staff and possibly immediate family members of staff access.
As it currently stands, any person can join the fitness center, regardless of affiliation with DU. Non-students, non-staff, non-faculty and random folks around the metro area can invade our space on campus.
Although we are an open and welcoming campus, it is crucial to recognize that some elements of our school should be used by the DU community alone. Imagine if we let non-students or non-staff into our clubs, our student government or allowed them to use services like our laundry?
Parts of our campus are open for any person to use – our bookstore, our event centers, etc. But others are special services that ought to be student-centered. Don’t we pay enough to deserve that?
It is an issue of fairness, when, for example, a student has to wait to use one of the pieces of workout equipment, or has to leave because his or her fitness class is full of non-DU people.
I do not mean to draw a rank or negative distinction between the DU community and those who are outside of it. We are an inclusive university, or at least we try to be.
However, certain services and resources of the school are meant for student use, not the use of others.
If money is the issue, and the fitness center cannot financially support itself without the memberships of non-DU folks, then I propose the following: establish a tiered system of membership wherein those who are not affiliated with DU can join for an increased rate and can access the gym during limited hours. This could maintain current revenue and free up exercise machines for students who want to use them. during peak hours.
The issue of fitness center overcrowding can be addressed by simple changes by those in charge of the gym and the Ritchie Center.
This asset to DU, used by many on a daily or weekly basis, must be placed back in the hands of those who it is meant to serve: students.
