Incoming students should have access to facilities

TO THE EDITOR:

I have noticed a large problem involving on-campus facilities since arriving in early July. Not being able to use campus facilities unless you are a summer student is unfair. Denying both out-of-state and local students who live in Chapel Hill the right to use certain facilities in the summer because they are not current students is unjust.  

Areas such as weight rooms pools and libraries are only accessible to current students.

Most out-of-state students pay over $20000 a year for school. Although they pay so much they are not granted the right to campus facilities during the summer.

This forces local and out-of-state students to reach out and sometimes pay more money to join local pools or gyms and enable them to both have fun and stay in shape over the summer.

Since the University also controls your One Card you do not have access to printers or library books placing non-students again at a disadvantage.  

But how should we fix the problem? Even though there are fewer students in the summer than in fall and spring semesters we are somehow unable to accommodate non-summer students. But if we can accomplish this during the fall and winter seasons why not carry that over to the summer?

Rather than forcing students to pay for other facilities why not offer non-summer students reduced rates or specific hours at which they can use the facilities? These may not be peak hours but it will accommodate everyone's needs and keep more people happy with the ability to work out and enjoy the pools. With the ability to allow students access to its facilities the University can help its students save money and enjoy the perks that come with being a full-time UNC-Chapel Hill student.


Michael Harvey
First-year
Undecided