I believe in the phrase, “Healthy body, healthy mind.” So when my sister aggravated an old injury, I agreed to head to the pool with her rather than use the treadmill, so that we could both exercise safely. This was my introduction to RPI’s disorganized approach to managing the pools.
My first trip was to the Robison pool on a Sunday afternoon, where I discovered that it was not open. We had called ahead the previous Friday afternoon to double-check the hours for that day, and were assured that the Robison Pool would be open. For a reason that was not shared with us, the pool at the ’87 Gym was open instead. So we trekked across campus in the snow to the ’87 Gym. Once inside, however, we wasted 10 minutes searching for the pool. There were no signs or people in the building to ask. Fortunately, another student came into the building and was able to show us where to go—the pool itself was fine.
Our second trip to the pool was pleasantly uneventful, given that it was open.
The third time, the lifeguard did not show up, and at least 10 other people were turned away from the pool about 15 minutes after it was supposed to open. A non-RPI community group had just been using the pool, so there is little doubt that the pool itself was operational.
Additionally, there is no concrete information to be found on the Internet. General hours are given, but the website states that “All times are subject to change without prior notification.”
Why is this?
A more user-friendly approach to the pools, including accurate information on closings ahead of time, appropriate signage, and better coordination between the two facilities, could allow the students to make better use of these rather expensive resources here on campus.
Laura Derby
CSYS/CSCI ’07
