Students voted on campus Tuesday and Wednesday as to whether or not they want the proposed Student Recreation and Wellness Center to be built on campus.
This vote will either approve or disapprove a fee increase of $110 per semester ($83 for summer) that will not be effective until the rec center is open.
“Not as many people have come out to vote as we would have liked,” said Teresa Ruiz, communications coordinator for Associated Students, Inc. “We want every student to vote.”
But because of the rain on Tuesday, students may have been less motivated to vote, Ruiz said. Some of the polling locations were moved because of the weather, but they returned to the original locations on Wednesday.
“CSULB needs a central location to work out and keep students on campus. Unlike places to go nearby, it will put students first and will cost less money,” said senior marketing major Alan Schaefer. “People that voted no did it because they didn’t know all the facts or they just don’t care about the campus.”
Peter Sablove, a graduate student and pre-physical therapy major, disagreed. “I think building a rec center is total bullshit. Spending $65 million on something we don’t need when we have buildings that are falling apart is wrong. The school should focus more on academia and less on body building.”
Derek Franklin, a sophomore business management major, said, “There is no reason why we shouldn’t have one; it seems like a good idea.” Franklin made his decision after hearing a presentation by University Student Union Board of Trustees Chair Amanda Stone on Monday night.
“They’re forgetting that CSU is meant to be open to a wider class of people who can’t afford other universities. The school is not focused on what it should be, which is education,” said Nicholas Xenos, a senior political science major. “Not to mention all the money was spent by the school on the campaign. They’re giving away shirts that support the rec center, but no one is asking questions.”