Editor,
I am writing this letter in response to numerous published editorials perpetuating the spread of misinformation on campus regarding the building of another recreation center. As it currently stands, Johnson Center is inadequate for just about any form of physical exercise outside of basketball. The weight-lifting equipment is sub-par, and classes take up a bulk of the time that Johnson Center is open, during which students not enrolled in these classes are not permitted to use sections of the facility. This is unacceptable considering how many people would like to use the facility when they are on campus. Since most students are on campus in the middle of the day, it would be ideal if they could use any part of the facility during that time.
One letter asked in reference to the recreation center survey, "How many students were solicited for responses?" Every student, graduate and undergraduate alike, was e-mailed this survey, which included questions about fee increases that would result from the construction of the center. This survey was sent out without any pictures of comparable campuses, such as UNLV, that have recreation centers that are not only much newer than Johnson Center but also have much larger square footage and nicer equipment. A survey based on the student population of UNM needs only around 400 respondents to be statistically significant. Since there were 3,200 respondents, this survey went far and above this level of significance.
Had people been more aware of how rundown Johnson is by comparison to just about every other institution similar in size and enrollment to UNM, the surveys would have most certainly shown a greater willingness to help fund the center to bring our facilities up to par with the rest of the country. I am under the impression that most students feel that Johnson Center is representative of the type of student recreation center that other campuses have. This simply is not case.
Health is a major issue in America, and it is only getting worse. The rates of heart disease, depression and diabetes - many of which could be prevented by staying physically fit - continue to skyrocket. There have been multiple studies published showing the link between mental health and physical exercise, and most students will acquire lifelong habits while in college. A recreation center can be crucial in promoting a lifetime of health and physical fitness for UNM students. As future leaders of America, we should not only be promoting better American academics, but also better physical well-being.
There has also been talk about a complete lack of transparency in regard to the recreation center on the part of the ASUNM president and GPSA president. This is factually incorrect. There were Daily Lobo articles published on Oct. 9, Nov. 17, Feb. 16 and a front-page picture from the previously mentioned charette published on March 5. There has been no effort made to hide any of this information from anyone.
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Sure, not everyone exercises, and if that is not your cup of tea, that is fine. There are multiple buildings, including the Centennial Engineering Building and the Communication and Journalism Building that students are paying for and may never use. That is part of overall campus improvement. A decent, functional recreation center is something the campus desperately needs. Another student recreation center will facilitate student health while helping UNM become more competitive with similar schools across the nation.
William Brizzee
UNM student
