James Morales, the vice president for Student Services at Utah State University, has been looking at the possibility of developing the proposed Aggie Recreation Center since June 2009. He views it as another entity that will help fulfill the Division of Student Service's motto: “Let us do all we can to help the student be successful.”
The estimated $30 million needed for the project will come from student fees as well as private donations.
Voting for the ARC will begin next week. If the project passes there will be a $25 student fee beginning this fall. That fee will then be raised to $75 beginning with the fall semester of 2015 when the ARC is expected to open.
According to Morales, the recreation center will help students with their academic experience by creating more opportunities outside the classroom.
“Think about an intramural team,” Morales said. “On its surface you would say, ‘oh, well that’s just a fun experience.’ But you know what? You’re learning teamwork, you’re learning leadership and you’re learning negotiation skills.”
A study conducted by the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education focused showed that, on average, users of such facilities have higher first-year cumulative GPAs and have accumulated slightly more earned credit hours.
According to Morales, usage of the Nelson Field House increased 71 percent between 2008 and 2011. The Health, Physical Education and Recreation Building also had a similar increase.
“As we build these new recreational facilities, that’s going to get more students coming here,” Morales said. “In five to 10 years we could have another 2,000to 4,000 students on this campus.”
In a study published by the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association, universities that have built new recreation centers have seen an enrollment increase of about 7.3 percent.
Morales said the ARC will include climbing walls, lounge areas and multimedia rooms.
“We talk about the recreation center as a recreation center —not a fitness center,” Morales said. “It will help in getting away from the academics and into going and just hanging out.”
Rebecca Eisenhower, Eric Jungblut, Trevor Anderson, Ryan Neeley, Marisa Nielsen, Trey Williams, Nicole Murray, Bailey Nielsen contributed to this report.
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