The Student Recreation and Wellness Center will open this fall, bringing Cal State Long Beach students state-of-the-art equipment and a $116 fee.
The original fee was $110 but a $6 increase was approved in November 2009 and will be unveiled to students today, according to Nancy Eckhous, bursar’s office employee.
“I think it’s irresponsible from their part by not letting students know, in advance, [about the fee increase] when we are the ones financing the center,” said Ashlee Wilkins, a senior human resource management major.
The fee increase was due to inflation, according to ASI Communications Coordinator Christina Esparza.
“The Student Fee Advisory Committee approved the fee adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index,” Esparza said via email. “The referendum that approved the center included a mandatory inflationary increase to the University Student Union fee, which also includes the recreation center.”
Every three years, there’s a possibility of raising the fee, according to ASI President Chris Chavez. He also said that the increase will probably result on average in a 3 to 4 percent increase, and that, while there is no cap to limit the increase the fact that there are students on the Student Fee Advisory Committee, it would be difficult to raise it any more than that.
“People try to make the best job they could to get the fees set,” Eckhous said.
Brittney Vaughn, sophomore nutrition major, said the center is beneficial to students but wonders why the fee increase is so high.
“It’s exciting because its convenient since we are on campus, but the fee increase is ridiculous because there are a lot of students here. Where is all that money going to?” Vaughn said.
Students will be able to register starting today at University Student Union room 201 for the recreation center through biometrics hand geometry, where a student’s hand will be their key to enter the facility, Esparza said. Students will also be able to vote for the furniture set-up.
As well, USU e-newsletters will be e-mailed and “Beachfront” newsletters will be distributed about the center on how to register. Portable biometric hand readers will also be set up in different areas around campus, including the library, in front of the Career Development Center and the Housing and Residential Life Office.
“Honestly, so far the feedback we’ve been getting is very positive,” Esparza said. “Once [the student’s] see the equipment I think they will like it too. They are top-of-the-line machines.”
The recreation center includes a gym, indoor track, weight and cardio equipment, sand volleyball courts, rock-climbing wall, group exercise rooms, a swimming pool, spa and a “fresh foods” restaurant, according to its Web site.
Esparza said, “Student rec centers are student unions of the 21st century.”
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