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RESLIFE PROPOSAL...

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Memo Date: To: From: CC: Amber Hurt—Advisor of Hofstra Residence Hall Association, Beth McGuire- Director of Residence Life, Novia Ramsey- Residence Life Director of Operations Subject: Exercise Equipment in Residential Buildings

Overview This proposal provides a course of action on why college students should have an accessible space to work out within the residence halls. Exercise benefits all participants and medical professionals encourage it heavily. Exercise releases endorphins which reduce stress levels and make you happier, among other things (3 Study-boosting Benefits of Exercise for Students 2016). Hofstra University students should have exercise equipment in the dorms for students to receive the opportunity to live a healthy lifestyle. Statement of the Problem Not all Hofstra University students have the same amount of access to exercise equipment. Of the six high rise dorms, only four of them include a singular elliptical machine located in the communal lounge of the top floor. The one elliptical simply does not accommodate an entire community of roughly 300 students in one high rise building (Office of Residence Life). Hofstra University should be more focused on making exercise a priority for their students. Having a conveniently located exercise center in each high rise allows for students to build a more health-centered routine. Not only would it help students build a healthier routine, it would

allow for students with disabilities to have a place within their homes to work on their own health without the physical limitation of traveling to the already standing fitness center. With Hofstra’s Student Access Services mission statement being, “Student Access Services (SAS) provides disability related education, services, and resources to the Hofstra Community… We respectfully serve our students by facilitating barrier free educational opportunities and assisting them in becoming independent, self-advocating learners”, it is not holding that to the truth as many students cannot even access something as essential as a proper place to work out (Student Access Services Mission Statement).

Counterargument The biggest counter argument for this problem seems that there is already a fitness center located on campus. Though there is a fitness center on campus, the high rise dorms are the farthest dorms located from the fitness center. With the fitness center being farther away the time used to travel to the fitness center takes away from time that could be spent working out in an already limited time break between classes. In addition, due to inclement weather situations on Long Island, the fitness center closes periodically to accommodate for those situations. And since weather on Long Island can be unpredictable, the fitness center can be closed for an extended period of time. When you stop working out, you might feel grumpy or suffer damage to your self-esteem if your weight starts to rise (The Effects of Stopping Exercise). With mental health being a prevalent issue in students enrolled in colleges and universities, it should be a priority of the university to allocate as many resources as possible to aid students who are suffering. Hofstra University has previously recognized that there is a need for gym

equipment to be located in the high rise dorms which is why there is a limited quantity in some of the high rises, but did not completely fulfill the problem. Proposed Solution Free weights and at least two elliptical machines should be located on the upper floor lounge of each high rise dorm. This area fosters a safe and welcoming environment for students that reside in the individual towers. With this equipment available to residents, they can now maximize their time to work out by eliminating the travel time to the fitness center. Working out in the dorm allows time to be saved as well by being able to change into workout apparel in the student’s dorm room and showering immediately afterwards. The convenience of having an in-residence fitness center allows for students with disabilities (both physical and mental/emotional) to have somewhere they can access without the limitation of distance and stairs in the fitness center. With housing fees being $120 a semester, per student, the university should have no trouble funding this venture (Tuition and Fees 2019-2020). If the university prioritizes students' physical, mental, and emotional health as much as it claims, it should be looked at as an investment rather than a cost. Audience The audience of this memo would be towards the faculty advisor of the Residence Hall Association of Hofstra University. This Residence Hall Association helps advocate for improvements within the residential community. I also included the Director of Residence Life and Director of Operations for Residence Life as they are the “high ups” in Residence Life and work with the budget for students within the community.

Works Cited 3 Study-boosting Benefits of Exercise for Students. (2016, December 08). Retrieved May 05, 2020, from https://www.studyright.net/blog/benefits-of-exercise-for-students/ StudyRight is a website designed to help struggling students get back on the right track. Office of Residence Life. (n.d.). Retrieved May 05, 2020, from https://www.hofstra.edu/studentaffairs/studentservices/reslife/index.html Since the University I am proposing to instill this initiative in is Hofstra University, it only seemed appropriate to pull information from the Residence Life website. Student Access Services Mission Statement. (n.d.). Retrieved May 05, 2020, from https://www.hofstra.edu/studentaffairs/stddis/stddis_mission.html Hofstra Student Access Services is on the frontlines for advocating for students with Disabilities and is an office on campus filled with professionals with the wellbeing of the students as their #1 priority. The Effects of Stopping Exercise. (n.d.). Retrieved May 05, 2020, from https://www.livestrong.com/article/555339-the-effects-of-stopping-exercise/ Livestrong is a cite made to empower any one of any age to instill a healthier lifestyle within their routine. Personally, I refer to their site and mobile apps as I am trying to be more conscious of my eating habits and workout routines and I trust Livestrong to lead me in the right direction. Tuition and Fees 2019-2020. (n.d.). Retrieved May 05, 2020, from https://www.hofstra.edu/sfs/bursar/bursar_tuition.html#housing Hofstra University puts out their tuition and fees breakdown annually to aide in

transparency for students to understand where their money goes....