I had several goals I wanted to achieve with my free time this summer.
In between working as sports editor for our campus newspaper and part-time with The Auburn Villager, I had every intention of finally starting a consistent workout regimen.
I'm not out of shape, but I think we all know working out is one of the first activities that gets kicked to the curb as the spring semester rounds into its late stages.
So imagine my surprise last week when I walked into an empty Recreation and Wellness Center in the middle of the afternoon only to realize that I was not allowed to enter the building.
That's right, I am not allowed to use the student recreation center my constantly rising tuition fees funded the construction of.
Not unless I paid a $200 fee.
As confused and disappointed as I was when I heard, I soon found I wasn't the only one locked out.
And those wonderful Recreation and Wellness Center employees who are constantly walking around cleaning weight benches and breaking up fights on the basketball courts?
Well, they can't get in either unless they fork over $200.
It does make sense at first there'd be a fee to use the facility if you're not currently enrolled in classes over this summer and fall.
While I could certainly go down to another gym and get a cheaper membership to achieve my summer goals, it certainly doesn't have the amenities of the Recreation and Wellness Center.
Rock walls, golf simulators, basketball courts and suspended running tracks are awesome and certainly won't be found in any local gyms.
And they obviously have to be able to pay the employees that keep the building running.
What I fail to understand is being charged the exact same fee, that I apparently pay for five months of access in the fall and four months of access in the spring, when the summer semester is only three months long.
In the fall, my monthly membership contribution to the University is merely $40 per month (and $50 in the spring), the summer fees jump that total to $66 per month.
But, hey, at least you'll save $2 if you pay it by the month instead of just paying them a flat $200!
There's nothing wrong with making non-enrolled students pay for access if enrolled students must, but jacking up the price is a blatant cash-grab.
I obviously do not expect that the University will change their policy.
But don't charge students the same fee for three months of access as you do for five months in the fall.
Charging non-enrolled students three-fifths of the $200 fall membership fee is fairer to students living and working in Auburn during the summer.
So at least until the fall, you won't find me (and probably many others) at the Recreation and Wellness Center.
Here's hoping there are some good pickup games going on at the Grove this summer.
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