Spring Break
Staff Editorial: Nighttime is the only free time
Issue date: 6/9/09 Section: Opinions
We don't know what you have been told, but not all college students like to drink alcohol all the time.
Some students would rather spend their free time in the evenings watching movies, playing board games or even do something active, such as playing a sport.
Yes, we seriously just said that.
Some students, especially those enrolled in summer classes, are not only going to class but also try to maintain part-time or full-time employment somewhere. This means that a majority of the free time for students is consumed by the night.
Everywhere we looked, the campus was surrounded by darkness.
The Student Recreation Center, Lantz Pool and Lantz Field House all close at 8:00 p.m. during the weeknights. The Student Recreation Center and Lantz Field House are open until 6:00 p.m. during the weekends. The Lantz pool is only open until 4:00 p.m. during the weekends.
This leaves very little time for those students who are working or taking classes to use the facilities.
Students are left with one option, go outside.
This sounds promising, if not better, than the option of spending time cooped up inside a facility, but it isn't that simple.
The sun sets around 8 p.m., which ironically, is the same time in which the facilities close during the weeknights.
What is there left to do?
Currently O'Brien's Field and Williams Field are the only two sports stadiums with lighting. This proves why many other sporting events are not held at night.
The question on our minds is this: why are these the only two arenas with lights?
Of course students have the intramural fields that have lighting, but those lights are hardly ever turned on.
Students also may retreat outside for some night tennis on the courts located just outside Lantz, Thomas Hall or Carmen Hall. Each of these courts offers subtle lighting in which the ball is usually difficult to see. These courts also offer cracks and rocks that can be obstacles while playing. Plus, the lines are barely visible at each of these courts. This is a major problem while trying to play tennis.
We understand that money must be the reason there isn't proper lighting on many of the fields, stadiums or courts, but is this also the reason the places containing lights aren't lit or well kept?
Lights aren't exactly inexpensive. It seems as though money the students pay for athletic and other various fees should go to something that all students could benefit from. Whether it is paint or new lights, it doesn't matter to us.
Help us beat alcoholism and brighten some students' lives one bulb at a time.
The editorial is the majority opinion of The DEN editorial board. Reach the opinions editor at: DENopinions@gmail.com.
Some students would rather spend their free time in the evenings watching movies, playing board games or even do something active, such as playing a sport.
Yes, we seriously just said that.
Some students, especially those enrolled in summer classes, are not only going to class but also try to maintain part-time or full-time employment somewhere. This means that a majority of the free time for students is consumed by the night.
Everywhere we looked, the campus was surrounded by darkness.
The Student Recreation Center, Lantz Pool and Lantz Field House all close at 8:00 p.m. during the weeknights. The Student Recreation Center and Lantz Field House are open until 6:00 p.m. during the weekends. The Lantz pool is only open until 4:00 p.m. during the weekends.
This leaves very little time for those students who are working or taking classes to use the facilities.
Students are left with one option, go outside.
This sounds promising, if not better, than the option of spending time cooped up inside a facility, but it isn't that simple.
The sun sets around 8 p.m., which ironically, is the same time in which the facilities close during the weeknights.
What is there left to do?
Currently O'Brien's Field and Williams Field are the only two sports stadiums with lighting. This proves why many other sporting events are not held at night.
The question on our minds is this: why are these the only two arenas with lights?
Of course students have the intramural fields that have lighting, but those lights are hardly ever turned on.
Students also may retreat outside for some night tennis on the courts located just outside Lantz, Thomas Hall or Carmen Hall. Each of these courts offers subtle lighting in which the ball is usually difficult to see. These courts also offer cracks and rocks that can be obstacles while playing. Plus, the lines are barely visible at each of these courts. This is a major problem while trying to play tennis.
We understand that money must be the reason there isn't proper lighting on many of the fields, stadiums or courts, but is this also the reason the places containing lights aren't lit or well kept?
Lights aren't exactly inexpensive. It seems as though money the students pay for athletic and other various fees should go to something that all students could benefit from. Whether it is paint or new lights, it doesn't matter to us.
Help us beat alcoholism and brighten some students' lives one bulb at a time.
The editorial is the majority opinion of The DEN editorial board. Reach the opinions editor at: DENopinions@gmail.com.
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