Response to a video about the ARC/Legacy Fields Project.
HUGE DISCLAIMER: I don't want to get into heated arguments with anyone, so if you're out to harass or troll, don't waste your time. I'm also not an expert, but I have done a lot of homework on (and for) the project as part of my internship.
I would love to have see more accuracy in this video about the ARC and Legacy Fields project - a huge project that will have an impact on student life for future Aggies.
First, this project looks to provide MORE accommodation to students, accommodation that is currently lacking. HPER building is primarily for HPER classes, and have you tried to use the Fieldhouse during a weekday afternoon when it's closed to regular student use because of track team practice - because you can't use it then. There were 36 intramural teams turned away this fall because they could not be accommodated by our current facilities. Not just one or two, but THIRTY-SIX.
Second, this will NOT end up "increasing student fees by $100" - it's $30 for the turf, and then later $75 for the ARC, at which time the turf will not be collecting any more funds. Even then, this is a fee projected on zero donations from alumni or businesses, and the administration is already ready to hit the ground running and seek out these donations.
Third, the turf isn't just going over the top of the HPER field. That big hole in the ground north of the HPER building? THAT is where the fields are going. And putting turf down is going to save the school money in the upkeep that it would take to keep natural grass nice enough to use.
Fourth, the ARC is more than a fitness center. It's going to bring us another place to eat - which we'll no doubt need once Common Hour kicks in and we're all off for lunch at the same time next year. It will bring the ORP to a more central part of campus, so maybe students will actually realize they have and will use one of the great resources we already fund on campus. It will also bring the Health and Wellness center to the heart of campus, so instead of having to make your way to the far end of campus when you're already in poor health, it will be easier for students to seek medical attention.
Fifth, investing in real estate projects is one of the best things we can do. Some will probably roll their eyes or try to cut me off on this, but hear me out. When potential students look at Utah State, we want to impress them in every way we can. The better the students we recruit, the better our academic and sporting programs become. The more acclaim our university receives by the achievements our student body works towards - academically and athletically - the more notoriety the name 'Utah State University' gets, and the more notable the institution becomes, the more valuable your degree becomes after you leave and are looking for a job. I have a friend who actually transfered to BYU last fall because he wants to get into law school and was told that he would have a better chance of getting into big name schools with a BYU degree than with a USU degree.
Now, I'm not saying this isn't an investment, but I AM saying it's one worth really looking at, and I wanted to set the record straight about some things that were portrayed inaccurately in the video posted by the '435Aggie' account on YouTube. When I see students brown-bagging their lunches, not wearing designer clothes, and putting money towards Apple products, expensive concerts, going to movies, buying engagement rings, ridiculously priced shoes, and even headphones that cost more than they have a right to cost, THEN I will take the "it costs a lot of money" complaint seriously.
...We already pay $250 a year to watch a very select number of our students play on athletic teams, why not make a more reasonable investment on getting the places to play ourselves?
I would love to have see more accuracy in this video about the ARC and Legacy Fields project - a huge project that will have an impact on student life for future Aggies.
First, this project looks to provide MORE accommodation to students, accommodation that is currently lacking. HPER building is primarily for HPER classes, and have you tried to use the Fieldhouse during a weekday afternoon when it's closed to regular student use because of track team practice - because you can't use it then. There were 36 intramural teams turned away this fall because they could not be accommodated by our current facilities. Not just one or two, but THIRTY-SIX.
Second, this will NOT end up "increasing student fees by $100" - it's $30 for the turf, and then later $75 for the ARC, at which time the turf will not be collecting any more funds. Even then, this is a fee projected on zero donations from alumni or businesses, and the administration is already ready to hit the ground running and seek out these donations.
Third, the turf isn't just going over the top of the HPER field. That big hole in the ground north of the HPER building? THAT is where the fields are going. And putting turf down is going to save the school money in the upkeep that it would take to keep natural grass nice enough to use.
Fourth, the ARC is more than a fitness center. It's going to bring us another place to eat - which we'll no doubt need once Common Hour kicks in and we're all off for lunch at the same time next year. It will bring the ORP to a more central part of campus, so maybe students will actually realize they have and will use one of the great resources we already fund on campus. It will also bring the Health and Wellness center to the heart of campus, so instead of having to make your way to the far end of campus when you're already in poor health, it will be easier for students to seek medical attention.
Fifth, investing in real estate projects is one of the best things we can do. Some will probably roll their eyes or try to cut me off on this, but hear me out. When potential students look at Utah State, we want to impress them in every way we can. The better the students we recruit, the better our academic and sporting programs become. The more acclaim our university receives by the achievements our student body works towards - academically and athletically - the more notoriety the name 'Utah State University' gets, and the more notable the institution becomes, the more valuable your degree becomes after you leave and are looking for a job. I have a friend who actually transfered to BYU last fall because he wants to get into law school and was told that he would have a better chance of getting into big name schools with a BYU degree than with a USU degree.
Now, I'm not saying this isn't an investment, but I AM saying it's one worth really looking at, and I wanted to set the record straight about some things that were portrayed inaccurately in the video posted by the '435Aggie' account on YouTube. When I see students brown-bagging their lunches, not wearing designer clothes, and putting money towards Apple products, expensive concerts, going to movies, buying engagement rings, ridiculously priced shoes, and even headphones that cost more than they have a right to cost, THEN I will take the "it costs a lot of money" complaint seriously.
...We already pay $250 a year to watch a very select number of our students play on athletic teams, why not make a more reasonable investment on getting the places to play ourselves?