North Texas Daily

College Media Network

Breaking News

The NT Daily has moved!

New Web site in beta testing

The North Texas Daily has moved to a new Web site! We've already begun posting news, stories...

Students complain of rec center crowding

Abstract:
Some NT students claim they've done more waiting than working out at the Pohl Recreation Center on campus this year.

This semester, the center's average daily attendance for one week was 2,070 students and faculty members, said Stuart Birdseye, assistant director of marketing and membership services....

Displaying 1 - 12 of 12

alum and staff

posted 4/24/08 @ 11:24 AM CST

I agree Austin that the additional fees for the group exercise are definitely a turn off. I already pay to join the center, but the additional fees are a hard sell to try something new.

Post a reply to this comment

Derrick

posted 4/27/08 @ 12:58 PM CST

How about a rule that no groups of more than two on any given equipment? I understand wanting to workout with a partner, but my big issue is trying to get on a weight machine with 4 or 5 gym rats monopolizing the equipment.

Post a reply to this comment

Moniqa Paullet (Copy Chief)

posted 4/28/08 @ 1:30 PM CST

What it comes down to is 35,000 students pay to use that rec center. It has the highest ratio of members per square foot of available space of any fitness center or gym in the city. While the crowding during peak hours is unfortunate for those who want to work out at that time, the place is practically empty before noon. Being too lazy to want to get up and go before classes gives you no right to gripe and complain about it being busy later in the day because you are a part of that problem.

Post a reply to this comment

Rowan

posted 4/28/08 @ 4:29 PM CST

Originally posted by
Moniqa Paullet (Copy Chief)
What it comes down to is 35,000 students pay to use that rec center. It has the highest ratio of members per square foot of available space of any fitness center or gym in the city. While the crowding during peak hours is unfortunate for those who want to work out at that time, the place is practically empty before noon. Being too lazy to want to get up and go before classes gives you no right to gripe and complain about it being busy later in the day because you are a part of that problem.

I work from 6 AM until 2 PM, and have class from 2:30-6 PM. There is no other time for me to go except evening. Not everyone is lazy you know.

Post a reply to this comment

Moniqa Paullet

posted 4/29/08 @ 10:13 AM CST

Originally posted by
Moniqa Paullet (Copy Chief)
What it comes down to is 35,000 students pay to use that rec center. It has the highest ratio of members per square foot of available space of any fitness center or gym in the city. While the crowding during peak hours is unfortunate for those who want to work out at that time, the place is practically empty before noon. Being too lazy to want to get up and go before classes gives you no right to gripe and complain about it being busy later in the day because you are a part of that problem.

Then obviously you are not one of the people to whom I was referring as being lazy. I never said everyone was, only those that are have no room to complain.

Post a reply to this comment

Havok

posted 4/29/08 @ 12:50 PM CST

Originally posted by
Moniqa Paullet (Copy Chief)
What it comes down to is 35,000 students pay to use that rec center. It has the highest ratio of members per square foot of available space of any fitness center or gym in the city. While the crowding during peak hours is unfortunate for those who want to work out at that time, the place is practically empty before noon. Being too lazy to want to get up and go before classes gives you no right to gripe and complain about it being busy later in the day because you are a part of that problem.

Monica, that was an incredibly ignorant statement, especially for someone in your position at the newspaper. Did it never occur to you that some people have jobs and other situations? Being a journalist I would expect you to consider all angles of the situation before issuing such an insult. You should probably apologize.

Post a reply to this comment

Havok

posted 4/29/08 @ 12:55 PM CST

Sorry I misspelled your name, Moniqa. Also, in your retort to Rowan you say "Then obviously you are not one of the people to whom I was referring as being lazy. I never said everyone was, only those that are have no room to complain." Nowhere in any of the posts does anyone say they don't want to get up and go before classes. When you say "you" the reader assumes themselves. Were you just in a bad mood or something? You issue such an insult with no provocation. You're supposed to be a journalist, you should know better.

Post a reply to this comment

Rowan

posted 4/30/08 @ 8:16 AM CST

Originally posted by
Havok
Sorry I misspelled your name, Moniqa. Also, in your retort to Rowan you say "Then obviously you are not one of the people to whom I was referring as being lazy. I never said everyone was, only those that are have no room to complain." Nowhere in any of the posts does anyone say they don't want to get up and go before classes. When you say "you" the reader assumes themselves. Were you just in a bad mood or something? You issue such an insult with no provocation. You're supposed to be a journalist, you should know better.

Ditto. You issued a broad all or nothing statement, then seemed surprised when it bit you in the you know what. If you are the Copy Chief for the paper, no wonder the paper's been so slanted of late...with overly opinionated insults the norm. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you.

Post a reply to this comment

Moniqa Paullet

posted 4/30/08 @ 2:19 PM CST

While I am sorry that some people chose to take offense to my view (as a student who also uses the rec center) of the situation, it is not inaccurate, nor in the least bit ignorant, as I have discussed the subject with other students, too. Though pardon me for not conducting a formal survey for the purposes of posting my opinion to an article.

I have nowhere stated or expressed that I am surprised at anyone's reactions. Remember, at best, you have a 50 percent chance of correctly discerning someone's meaning from written text, which often fails to convey tone.

Additionally, I might point out that copy chiefs at the Daily (and many other papers, too) edit copy and do not assign stories or choose content. If you have a problem with what's published, the Daily would be more than thrilled to hear your story ideas, and this site has all the contact info and links necessary for anyone to submit them.

Post a reply to this comment

Havok

posted 5/07/08 @ 2:53 PM CST

"While I am sorry that some people chose to take offense to my view ..."

"Though pardon me for not conducting a formal survey for the purposes of posting my opinion to an article."

Thats the problem, Moniqa, your opinion and your view should not be expressed in this piece. This is in the News section, not the Views section. As an objective journalist you shouldnt allow personal bias to come into this piece. And yes, you SHOULD conduct a formal survey for the purposes of accurately reporting the FACTS to the public, not your personal view. By posting your personal view in a News article you are abusing your priviledge working for the newspaper. If this were a real life situation and the Rec Center an independent company, they would have grounds to sue you.

"I have nowhere stated or expressed that I am surprised at anyone's reactions. Remember, at best, you have a 50 percent chance of correctly discerning someone's meaning from written text, which often fails to convey tone."

You should probably find a new profession if this is the limit you are going to put on written text. The whole point is to write so that your meaning can be clearly discerned 100% of the time. Where is the rule that says you only have a 50% chance of discerning meaning from written text? I've heard this saying used in journalism class before but it was used to motivate us to write clearly and informatively. It was not used as an excuse for a poorly written article. This is scary coming from the copy chief.

"Additionally, I might point out that copy chiefs at the Daily (and many other papers, too) edit copy and do not assign stories or choose content. If you have a problem with what's published, the Daily would be more than thrilled to hear your story ideas, and this site has all the contact info and links necessary for anyone to submit them."

Where did anyone say this was a bad idea for a story?

Post a reply to this comment

Charlie McRae

posted 5/08/08 @ 12:21 PM CST

"Remember, at best, you have a 50 percent chance of correctly discerning someone's meaning from written text, which often fails to convey tone."

Are you kidding me? At best 50% chance? Isn't that what written language is for? To communicate more effectively than 50%?

Post a reply to this comment

Dillon Johnstone

posted 5/08/08 @ 8:46 PM CST

You can only correctly convey your emotions or intentions to a person if you know how to effectively articulate yourself in written word. There's a lot more to discern from language than just writing, so much is represented by body language, eye contact, and facial features. That's why people like to put smiley faces and such in their typings, that is not an original form of written language...

As for the original article. I definately agree, it is a VERY big turn off to pay extra fees for side exercise classes. Even though the rec centre does face a lot of issues when it comes to over crowding, one of the circumstances that is ignored is that EVERY student pays for this in mandatory fees. This includes undergrads that don't go to it, this includes grads that no longer even live on campus or care for the place. I realize that the centre loves to put funds towards having the latest and greatest equipment to accomodate are wants and yearnings... But surely there are some pools of cash that are being dished out or held onto for something else other than pay roll. Free side courses would be nice, and didn't the recent tuition hike have a piece in it about sending more money to the centre...?

Post a reply to this comment

Displaying 1 - 12 of 12

Post Your Comment

North Texas students review their credit score before submitting home / car loan applications on or around campus. North Texas students can contact a Houston Criminal Defense Attorney if ever witnessing unlawful student acts on or around campus.