OUR VIEWS Consensus Opinion

Tech Rec, the multi-purpose entertainment room on the ground floor of the Student Center, is in need of repairs. The facility has run up deficits in several of the past few years, and the Institute and SGA have had to jointly contribute $80,000 in maintenance, utilities and student salaries. Now, the Student Center is looking for ways to make the facility better able to sustain itself.

To do this, they have proposed to renovate a portion of Tech Rec's space into an independent hardwood-floored studio, one that could be used as dance, options class or event space in the hopes that it would increase traffic and revenue at the facility's other offerings. Organizations or individuals could book the space for many of the events they currently host in the Student Center Ballroom, thereby exposing more people to the Rec's presence on campus, while simultaneously alleviating overbooking of the popular facility.

A studio might not be the best option, however. While the space in question is not currently very well used, containing only table tennis, air hockey and foosball, there are areas of the room that attract students.

The (comparatively) new video game area, with its large projectors and multiple gaming systems, has become increasingly popular, providing a social incentive for students to come use the facility and appealing to Tech's core population. It might be more beneficial for the Student Center to consider expanding that area, or adding on similar amenities.

No mater what course of action is taken with Tech Rec, it is important that the Student Center include student opinions in the decision.

Thus far the students working at the facility have been consulted, which is a positive step. However, their concerns with the plans for a studio were only acknowledged after the employees presented the Student Center with a student-signed petition against the idea of replacing the underused space with a dance studio.

The operations of the Student Center are funded by our dues and activity fees, and renovations or changes are a perfect opportunity to gauge campus opinion on the facility in general. A campus-wide survey this fall would be a simple and effective way to gain input from students.

The process of improving Tech Rec could also be a chance for publicity. By waiting to gather feedback until fall, when a larger portion of the student body is on campus, Tech Rec's amenities could become better known, and in turn more frequently used than before.