Members of the athletic department gave a presentation on changes to the AARC weight and cardio rooms, new Undergraduate Student Government members were sworn in and two new clubs were approved at the USG general council meeting Thursday, May 12 at Scooters.
AARC changes
Senior Associate Athletic Director Corey Chapman presented changes to the AARC’s weight and cardio rooms for the upcoming school year.
Chapman said some weight room equipment will be added to the current cardio room, alleviating some of the congestion that the current weight room faces. The cardio room would have less cardio equipment as a result but still have enough to keep pace with the current usage rates of the room.
The reason for this switch is feedback from a survey sent out by athletics that showed students felt the weight room was too congested for both student athletes and non-student athletes.
“We’ve also heard that student athletes and team workouts make it both inconvenient and intimidating,” Chapman said.
This change would not make the current weight room athletes only, nor would it make the new hybrid cardio-weight room for just non-student athletes. Both the current weight room and the new hybrid room would be open to either type of student.
The athletic department is planning to use the workout equipment they already have to fill the new hybrid workout room.
Members of USG had concerns over whether there would be less space to work out for students, but Chapman responded that the department will use the first weeks of next semester to figure out what students’ needs are.
Speaker rejection
USG drafted a statement to be put out regarding the denial of keynote speaker Michael Knowles to the College Republicans club.
USG noted that it didn’t pass financial approval for this speaker because the club didn’t go through proper channels of approval before sending it to USG’s financial committee. USG rejected financing the speaker because Campus Life, who ultimately rejected the speaker themselves, had not yet approved Knowles to come.
The club released a statement and started a petition via its Twitter voicing its displeasure with the university’s decision. The tweet has 98 replies and the petition has more than 1,150 signatures.
New members sworn in
Following the USG election, which ran from April 27-29, current student body President Adam Revior swore in President-elect Angelica Franaschouk.
Franaschouk then swore in the new executive board members.
The elected candidates for the next academic year can be found here.
Wrestling and Pickleball clubs
Aiden Willard proposed a new wrestling club that will be available for veteran wrestlers or people who are just starting out. Willard said it will be an inclusive environment for both men and women to join.
“(Minnesota is) number three in the nation right now for high school wrestling, so wrestling is a pretty big thing here,” Willard said. “There’s a gap to fill without it.”
The leadership of the club will start out with peer to peer coaching. The practices and tournaments will likely be held at Cretin-Derham Hall high school.
USG also heard a proposal for pickleball club. The club will be for players to come anytime, with no practices and will serve as an opportunity for people to have fun and make connections.
The club hopes St. Thomas will provide either a place to practice or transportation to Lucky Shot, a pickleball club in Minneapolis.
Both clubs were passed and can be expected on campus in the fall.
Editor’s note: Angelica Franaschouk is a member of TommieMedia.
Sydney LaBelle can be reached at labe7208@stthomas.edu.