Students complain about inadequate work-out, intramural facilities

Many Southern University students are still unable to work out on campus because of inadequate exercise facilities, which are only accessible a few hours per day.
Although Intramural Sports, located on the first floor of Moore Hall, is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., students are still struggling to find time to work out within that time period due to their class schedules.
Unfortunately, this facility, which only offers cardio equipment, is the only place so far for students to at least attempt to work off their freshman 15 or the weight many have gained from constantly eating fast food.
“I did not even know there was a place for us to work out on campus, it is not fair that the hours are so short,” said Cortney Wesley, a sophomore mass communication major from Dallas. “People are in class at that time. If the hours were extended or even open every other weekend, it would give us both the opportunity to have something to do other than sit in our rooms and munch on junk food, and it would also give us the chance to lose weight.”
The Women’s Gym, which some students have no idea of its location, was shut down three years ago for renovation. It is a brick building located behind Mayberry Dining Hall and across from the Administration building.
“We have no idea how long the renovation may take; the Women’s Gym was closed because of complications with mold. There was a mold problem, which was remediated last Spring, and there still are a few minor things that still need to be repaired such as a leak, some electrical re-wiring and some painting,” said Melvin Robinson, director of Intramural Sports.
Although built by the Southern University System Foundation, Southern now has several new apartment buildings which were built in less than two semesters. The university has been renovating the Women’s Gym for over three years.
The Foundation is currently planning to build an Intramural Complex that will include an indoor pool, weights, more cardio equipment, an indoor track, basketball courts and many other types of equipment.
“We need to move faster; there is a steady decline on enrollment, and most of that deals with the dissatisfaction of many of the students,” said Carey Ash, president of the Student Government Association. “Southern has not been up to keeping their promises. Meaning, we should have had a recreation center a long time ago. We should be concerned about the health of our students.”