HILL: Rec renovation project was students' all along
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I would like to respond to the Iowa State Daily's Wednesday editorial, "We're not gonna take it," taking issue with the proposed recreation renovations and the decision process around them.
I'm disappointed that anyone would assert that I think Iowa State students are anything less than intelligent, responsible individuals. I value students' opinions. Their wishes and needs have been at the forefront of this discussion all along. A major theme of the editorial seemed to be that the administration has not listened to students during this process. In fact, the reality is just the opposite. Not only have we heard students' input on the proposal, up to and including the February 2008 vote, but the idea has been driven by students from the very beginning.
The process leading up to the February vote goes back more than five years. In 2002, 18,144 students were surveyed about their satisfaction with Recreation Services programs and facilities. The results showed that Beyer Hall gym received a mean quality rating of 2.6 out of 5. State Gym received a mean quality rating of 2.8, and the Lied Center, a rating of 4.5. Criticisms related to some of the very issues that the renovation proposal would address.
Student dissatisfaction with existing facilities led directly to the next step: a 2006 needs assessment conducted by Brailsford and Dunlavey to determine what changes students wanted. The study surveyed all students enrolled, and 5,401 students responded with a list of specific changes they would like to see, including larger weight and cardio areas, full-length basketball courts, a leisure pool and air-conditioned facilities.
The next step was an architectural feasibility study to determine what would need to happen to implement the wishes students expressed in the needs assessment. It is standard university practice to conduct a study before undertaking a project of this scope.
Throughout this entire process, open forums and educational meetings were held to garner further input from the university community. Between December 2007 and February 2008, 32 educational presentations gave students an opportunity to learn more about the proposed project, ask questions and share their opinions. Facilities needs were also a topic of discussion at 39 meetings with student government leaders between 2005 and 2007.
Thus, the February 2008 vote asking for formal student approval was only one step in a very comprehensive process. The fact that a vote was held actually demonstrates how important it was to have student input on the proposal. There was no requirement to take this issue before the students - the Board of Regents could have independently decided to undertake the renovation and raise fees. In fact, similar proposals have been passed at other universities without a student vote. It's also worth considering that the referendum was not the last opportunity students will have to offer input on the renovation project.
If the Board of Regents votes for the project to go forward, a Recreation Renovation Planning Committee will begin meeting regularly, and a majority of this committee will be students.
The notion that the proposed renovations are being "forced" on students is simply inaccurate. The only reason for this proposal is to improve the quality of life for students at Iowa State, and the request initially came from the students themselves. Listening to students - those who are here now, and those who will be here in the future - is a priority in Student Affairs. Our hope is that students develop positively in all aspects of their lives while they're here. Recreation Services is one of many departments that ensure students' needs are met on campus, and it contributes to student retention and overall success.
Our goal from the very beginning has been to serve students' needs and ask for students' voices on this issue. We have done that through surveys, focus groups, and the recent vote. I will continue to listen to what students have to say in the days ahead.
- Thomas Hill is the vice president for student affairs at Iowa State.
I'm disappointed that anyone would assert that I think Iowa State students are anything less than intelligent, responsible individuals. I value students' opinions. Their wishes and needs have been at the forefront of this discussion all along. A major theme of the editorial seemed to be that the administration has not listened to students during this process. In fact, the reality is just the opposite. Not only have we heard students' input on the proposal, up to and including the February 2008 vote, but the idea has been driven by students from the very beginning.
The process leading up to the February vote goes back more than five years. In 2002, 18,144 students were surveyed about their satisfaction with Recreation Services programs and facilities. The results showed that Beyer Hall gym received a mean quality rating of 2.6 out of 5. State Gym received a mean quality rating of 2.8, and the Lied Center, a rating of 4.5. Criticisms related to some of the very issues that the renovation proposal would address.
Student dissatisfaction with existing facilities led directly to the next step: a 2006 needs assessment conducted by Brailsford and Dunlavey to determine what changes students wanted. The study surveyed all students enrolled, and 5,401 students responded with a list of specific changes they would like to see, including larger weight and cardio areas, full-length basketball courts, a leisure pool and air-conditioned facilities.
The next step was an architectural feasibility study to determine what would need to happen to implement the wishes students expressed in the needs assessment. It is standard university practice to conduct a study before undertaking a project of this scope.
Throughout this entire process, open forums and educational meetings were held to garner further input from the university community. Between December 2007 and February 2008, 32 educational presentations gave students an opportunity to learn more about the proposed project, ask questions and share their opinions. Facilities needs were also a topic of discussion at 39 meetings with student government leaders between 2005 and 2007.
Thus, the February 2008 vote asking for formal student approval was only one step in a very comprehensive process. The fact that a vote was held actually demonstrates how important it was to have student input on the proposal. There was no requirement to take this issue before the students - the Board of Regents could have independently decided to undertake the renovation and raise fees. In fact, similar proposals have been passed at other universities without a student vote. It's also worth considering that the referendum was not the last opportunity students will have to offer input on the renovation project.
If the Board of Regents votes for the project to go forward, a Recreation Renovation Planning Committee will begin meeting regularly, and a majority of this committee will be students.
The notion that the proposed renovations are being "forced" on students is simply inaccurate. The only reason for this proposal is to improve the quality of life for students at Iowa State, and the request initially came from the students themselves. Listening to students - those who are here now, and those who will be here in the future - is a priority in Student Affairs. Our hope is that students develop positively in all aspects of their lives while they're here. Recreation Services is one of many departments that ensure students' needs are met on campus, and it contributes to student retention and overall success.
Our goal from the very beginning has been to serve students' needs and ask for students' voices on this issue. We have done that through surveys, focus groups, and the recent vote. I will continue to listen to what students have to say in the days ahead.
- Thomas Hill is the vice president for student affairs at Iowa State.
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