The Mueller Center has been a cornerstone of the Rensselaer Union for over four years since its doors opened on March 20, 2000. The conception of our primary fitness facility on campus came directly from students expressing the need for comprehensive fitness programs and equipment. The Mueller Center averages between 3,750 to 4,500 users per week, according to a recent traffic study completed last year. This is astounding, yet not surprising, considering that over three quarters of the student population participates in some form of athletics ranging from club sports to intramurals.
There have been a number of concerns raised with regard to the Mueller Center that warrant both action by the Union and clarification for the greater student body.
With respect to machines breaking down, the staff of the Mueller Center are prohibited in many cases from doing any repairs because it violates warranties that we have on the equipment. Often the equipment breakdown requires extensive repair with new parts that are delivered as quickly as possible, which can sometimes take as long as a month depending on the type of repair necessary.
As a campus, we have begun to recognize the need for controlling access to our facilities due to concerns of the safety and welfare of our student body.
We have already completed this process in a number of academic buildings as well as the VCC and the Folsom Library. I would argue, however, that the most urgent need for access control would be in our athletic facilities. The installation of access control measures in both the Armory and ‘87 Gym is now considered a top priority by the Institute. While access to the Mueller Center has always been controlled, there has not always been consistent checking of IDs, especially during evening and nighttime hours. Currently there are plans to improve the method with the addition of a card swiping machine that will ensure that all users have an active RPI ID, and will have their ID checked consistently.
The Mueller Center has tried to stay up on the newest pieces of equipment. Recent additions reflect this effort. The four new EFX bikes that were added are the newest and “hottest” item on the market. Used by many people ranging from Olympians to amateur cyclists to workout enthusiasts, these units provide a different type of experience than the existing cycles. The new bikes are also a “back to basics” approach which has started because of the frustration that some people have with the current generation of electronic malfunctions. Because they are not electronic, and we currently don’t have the physical capacity to add more electrically driven units, the bikes are truly an addition to the program of the Mueller Center. We have received very positive feedback about the workout these machines are providing.
The cleanliness of the Mueller Center is an issue that is not unique to this facility at Rensselaer. The current “vacancy management” program at the Institute has stretched an already thin and hard working environmental services staff to the point where it could snap. The observations about the Mueller Center have been voiced about other facilities on campus including the Union. The “vacancy management” program is requiring that all of us to re-think how we care for buildings both as staff and users in the short term. The current student staff of the Mueller Center will be stepping up their own efforts, hopefully helped by the whole community.
As students, we are the lifeblood of our campus. Our lives extend well beyond the classroom as we strive to excel and lead in all facets of our lives. We have high demands on our time and lives, and I have found that the campus is continually adapting to our ever-changing needs as students. Student fitness and recreation is certainly no exception as we continue to look for ways to better serve the campus population.
