[X]press: CARWC Continues to Fight Rec Center Issue

Anti-rec center group holds town hall meeting, few in attendance
by Nathan Codd, [X]press Staff Writer
http://xpress.sfsu.edu/archives/news/013836.html


Passionate students voiced oppositions to the proposed Recreation and Wellness Center during a town hall meeting Oct. 22 and went largely unanswered by members of the Associated Students, Inc.

The Coalition Against the Recreation and Wellness Center held a town hall meeting in Jack Adams Hall in the Cesar Chavez Student Center, to inform students of the situation regarding ASI's approach to getting the project approved. However, very few students attended.

"I know it seems like the turnout here isn't that great, a lot of people have things to do," said dietetics major Jasmine Vassar, 23. "But in being passive and un-active, you are contributing to the building of the rec. center."

During the discussions, members of CARWC explained that in their opinion, the rec. center represents more than just a building, but indicative of the death of democracy on SF State's campus.

"If students vote that they want this thing, cool, I will accept the students' voice," said CARWC member Sam Brown-Vasquez. "But when students are denied the opportunity to vote on the decision making on this campus it illustrates the fundamental flaws with the way democracy is handled."

The few students that spoke that were uninvolved with either CARWC or ASI, brought to the microphone some very strong arguments, most against the rec. center.

Enoch Tuaumu, 22-year-old history major, brought tears to the eyes of some with his statements on the indiscretion shown by ASI in this matter and the way it will reflect upon the students as a student body in the future.

"I question the ASI in their priorities," Tuaumu said. "Who is this rec. center for? Most students don't have time to come here and drink juice and live it up and do Pilates and yoga. We work. And the higher the fees are the more we have to work."

Other students, however, argued in support of the rec. center saying it will provide a safe place for students to exercise on campus.

ASI members Travis Northup and Philip Fabian were briefly in attendance, but did not comment on any of the statements made by CARWC members or other students.

» E-mail Nathan Codd @ ncodd@sfsu.edu
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