Notre Dame student senate convened Wednesday night to discuss potential changes to RecSports fitness class programs, approve the new Student Union Treasurer and pass a resolution regarding partnering with National Association for Eating Disorder Awareness.
Kendra Bayne, RecSports assistant director of administration, and Jennie Phillips, assistant director of fitness and fitness facilities, gave an update on RecSports.
Bayne reminded students of upcoming deadlines in intramural sports, as well as future officials training sessions, the Notre Dame Swim School and upcoming spring “freebie classes” before opening up the floor for discussion on fitness passes.
The passes would potentially be an alternative to the current fitness class registration system, which requires students to pay a fee for a set class time for the entire semester, Bayne said. The pass could potentially allow more flexibility in classes, as it would allow students to switch between classes, and therefore give more relief for missing class, Bayne said.
The RecSports program charges Notre Dame students less for fitness classes than most South Bend fitness facilities, with some semester classes totaling only $2 a class. The proposed pass could potentially bring a slight increase in prices, but the money would go to the instructors and trainers, Bayne said.
Additionally, Bayne said there are ways around payment methods if a student is unable to afford a class.
“If you guys know of students who really want to do personal training and finances are an issue, they can come talk to me and I’ll work with them,” Bayne said.
Some suggestions for improvements to the proposed fitness pass idea included an online sign-up 24 hours in advance, the ability to reserve spots a semester in advance and an app.
Additionally, RecSports is looking to expand their student certification programs to allow students to become yoga, group fitness, or personal instructors.
“Our philosophy is to give you guys skills in that field … some practical skills for when you leave here. And if you want to be a personal trainer on the side of your rocket science job, then you can do that,” Bayne said.
The RecSports department plans to have focus groups to continue discussing these issues in the future.
Similarly, the two discussed upcoming changes to facilities that are results of Campus Crossroads. As of Jan. 2018, the men’s and women’s basketball programs will use Rolfs as a practice facility, and the student recreation center will be moved into the Duncan Student Center.
Responding to questions of whether there would be basketball courts in the new student workout facility, Phillips said she was unable to divulge a lot of information at the time.
“We will find the court space and there will be a solution to adding more courts … the University is aware of the court space situation, so there will be something forthcoming,” Phillips said.
It has been undecided whether multipurpose courts are going to be replaced in the new facilities.
Following the RecSports presentation, Alexandra Henderson was nominated for the new Student Union Treasurer by the current Student Union Treasurer, Mason Shinn. Henderson has served as an assistant Student Union Treasurer and was confirmed unanimously. The confirmation was effective immediately.
Additionally, the student senate passed resolution SS1617-31, which proposed that Notre Dame student government apply to be an official partner of National Association for Eating Disorder Awareness.
