Shorter recreation center hours mean health conscious students have to break a sweat just to get into the gym.
Due to budget cuts, Florida A&M University’s recreation center is open for fewer hours, leaving some students feeling as if they do not have enough time to work out at the gym.
Last year, the recreation center opened at 8 a.m. and closed at 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, compared to this year’s 1o a.m. to 8 p.m. On Saturdays, the recreation center is opened from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., four fewer hours than before.
Robert Little, 22, a business education student from Atlanta, said he likes to work out early in the day.
“I would like to come at 8 a.m. because my class starts at 9:30 a.m. and I get done with school later in the day,” Little said.
“The morning is the best time to work out, and I feel as if I am energized to deal with my long Tuesdays and Thursdays,” he said.
Most students seem to prefer to exercise in the evenings, said Gei-Nam Lim, associate director for the recreation center.
“The most students come into the recreation center at 4:30 through 7:30 p.m,” Lim said.
Alister Loblack, 24, an economics major from the Caribbean island of Dominica, said he is forced to put school second at times.
“Working out is a must for me, and I definitely have to make sacrifices to come here,” Loblack said. “Sometimes I will ditch a study group in order to come in.”
Students are not the only people who have been affected by the reduced hours.
Lamaras James, 21, psychology major from Orlando and floor supervisor at the recreation center, said the cut in hours has affected his work schedule.
“I would like to come and work earlier in the day,” James said.
“I have to work later. I am not able to get those early morning shifts.”
Despite the decreased hours of operation for the recreation center, many students and workers feel the facility meets their needs.
“I still love working here,” James said. “I get to interact with the students and that makes my job enjoyable.”