Summer SRSC fee is only fair

The SRSC and HPER have always charged students a membership fee for the summer. But paying this fee isn't necessarily a bad thing. So despite complaints that students have made recently about the costs and the difference between enrolled and non-enrolled students, we feel it's perfectly reasonable to pay the rates for the services that the facilities offer. \nWe pay tuition in the fall and spring, and that includes the activities fee. This practical fee pays for students to have access to the SRSC and HPER. We think it would be completely unfair if summer students didn't pay for the use of the gym. If that were the case, the fee would be larger during the school year and students who aren't even here for the summer would be footing the bill. The summer fee is for the summer term, and as the only fair option, shouldn't be assessed to students during the school year. \nBesides, we believe the summer offers many benefits to those who have a membership. \nThe gym is far less crowded in the summer than during the school year - and you're paying the same price for it. Plus, parking spaces are almost never filled.\nAlthough the hours are shorter in the summer, ample time is provided for customers and students to go after class or work. \nThe SRSC has more facilities available than many believe. The pool, aerobics classes, racquetball courts, track and gym are all at the disposal of the student/customer -- and it costs less than $40. Not enough students investigate all the options and take advantage of the choices their fees provide them.\nLet's face it, we don't like extra fees, but this one really isn't that bad. We receive so much for just $40. If you wanted to join a different gym in town, you'd be paying a lot more than $120 for a year's membership and wouldn't get as much out of it. Sportsplex of Bloomington costs $324 for a yearlong membership for students. The Bloomington YMCA costs $336 per year for adults (with no student rates). Cardinal Fitness, under Smallwood, costs $239.40 for a year's membership with no contract ($19.95 per month). Each gym has similar facilities to the SRSC, yet students get an outstanding deal on campus -- just because they're students at IU. That's more than many other gyms would offer. We can agree to pay the fee when we're getting the same thing as other gyms offer, but a better price. \nWe think the main problem lies in that students don't know what is offered to them at the SRSC and HPER. The gym gives us a break when taking summer classes. In the end, it's not a bad deal at all.