The WRC’s war on sleeveless Ts
It’s not that we’re necessarily mad or disappointed with the Wellness and Recreation Center, it’s just that we don’t quite understand how they work. Why did rules like no sleeveless shirts come about and why is some equipment restricted to group classes without any explanation or public student surveys? As a whole, the WRC is great and we’re glad we have it, but it could do with some communication.
In response to student requests that the rule against sleeveless shirts and tank tops be dropped, WRC Director Dave Terrell cited concerns about staph infection. After a bit of research into staph infections, a bacterial infection that results in rashes and lesions, we’ll concede that staph is a reality gyms face and warrants some concern. But not to the degree the WRC maintains. Terrell states that the disease is highly contagious, but there’s no information on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) website that warns specifically about how contagious the disease is, nor does the website recommend gyms ban sleeveless shirts. If it’s not even recommended by the CDC, then where did the WRC get its information?
Lets not ignore that the ban on shirtsleeves only applies to some areas at the WRC. Group fitness classes permit tank tops and sleeveless shirts, and people in tank tops on cardio machines are a day-to-day occurrence. Granted, they’re not laying down on a bench-press or using an arm extension machine, but contact from cardio machines really isn’t all that much different from contact with weights. Dumbbells, cable machines, bench-presses, curls and most of the popular stations at the WRC rely on hand contact, just like cardio machines. What’s the difference? Why does one get special privileges and the other doesn’t?
Following along with the inequalities concerning the group fitness classes, the instructors and attendees hold exclusive access to equipment that can’t be found anywhere else in the gym. Maybe the flock of cardio bikes belong in there, but not a single jump-rope makes its way out of the room. None are available at the front desk, weights area, ab area, cardio area or anywhere besides the group fitness room. And to get one out of the room for personal use, you need explicit permission from the director. Same with the kettlebells. There is a sign advertising a class specifically for them but not a single one is available in the rest of the gym. Why the inequalities? Does the group fitness room attract so much attention that it warrants exclusive use of three costly sets of equipment and exemptions from dress code?
We have one question after another concerning policy changes that weren’t explained, but what we mean to point out is that there is a lack of communication and understanding between the staff at the WRC and students. They’re great at letting us know changes in hours and openings, but we’ve yet to see any info explaining big issue items – especially ones noted above. Their utter lack of explanation for decisions that remain unpopular with students simply leads us to wonder: Why?
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