The Tyrell Fitness Center and R.A. Faganel Hall hours have been shortened for the second time this academic year because of another cut to federal work study funding.
Director of the Work Study Program and head softball coach, Lori Brown, said student usage reports determined the shortened hours.
“It is not cost effective to have 10 to 12 students working all weekend when we didn’t have but about 10 to 12 working out in the fitness center all weekend long,” said Brown in an email.
“Our night time usage has been down as well. We had two workers scheduled from 7-11 p.m. and we [had] some nights [where we] were not having anyone in during those hours.”
Student worker freshman Ashley Olson said she and other student workers’ main concern was not getting advance notice of this change.
“For a lot of us this is the only job we have time for. We have concerns for money and trying to pay our bills; our federal work study jobs are needed,” said Olson in a phone interview.
The previous cut in September had caused students to complain, according to senior Jake Denhof, VP of Student Services for Student Government Association (SGA).
“I’ve heard plenty of students complain since there are few places to work out. There are definitely a lot of students expressing concerns,” Denhof said.
Sophomore Jordan Maisto, whose hours have been cut due to this change, said the college should do more to get the hours back.
“I think the Fitness Center should be open way more than it is. I understand that we ran out of money for student workers, but I feel that the college should be able to pitch in for the rest of the school year,” said Maisto in an email. “Students have a hard time adjusting to the new hours, which are always posted last minute.”
Denhof said SGA is partnering with EC Athletic Director Paul Krohn to regain the hours.
“We’re trying to see if there is any way SGA can use our budget to have workers there. We have yet to really hammer down a number and how much it would be,” said Denhof. “We’re just trying to think of things to help right now.”
Denhof said that the students who want to recover the hours undervalue the ability to express their concerns to those who can make a change happen.
“A lot of times when you read things like [this] through The Leader or Facebook, you hear complaints but no one who can change anything will hear it. I think it’s important for students to know who is in charge so they can talk to them about these issues,” said Denhof.
Although Olson, who works in Faganel Hall, did not personally get her hours cut, she does not know what the future holds.
“I’m concerned with all the funds at Elmhurst right now. Tuition is going up; I had a fear of not getting financial aid. There is a definite fear that our hours will be lessened and lessened.”
The new hours for the Tyrell Fitness Center and R.A. Faganel Hall are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and closed on weekends.
A sign with the new hours is taped to the door of the Tyrell Fitness Center. Photo by Emily Mohney
