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Show s Westminster College j ir4UIlo Ubtastinn. By Jonathan Massimino Staff Writer The Westminster weight room was recently remodeled with a single purpose in mind: to create a wider sense of appeal to the students, faculty, staff and alumni. With an estimated budget of $100,000, according to Westminster Executive Vice-Preside- nt Stephen Morgan, the Westminster administration made a serious commitment to improving the conditions in the basement of Payne gymnasium. Under the direction of new men's basketball coach Tommy Connor, the weight room received a completely new look. In fact, the only remaining items from the old facility are the dumbbell set, a few cardiovascular machines and a precious few weight trees. According to Connor, the renovation was initiated with one idea in mind. "We wanted to make it less of a sweaty, smelly, rocky basement gym and more of a beginning version of today's health club." Connor sought to make the weight room, "conducive to all." The process began this past summer to do so. The weight room was closed for weeks at a time during the off season while the remodeling took place. A new padded floor was installed, as well as an air conditioning system, a more extensive stereo system, and three color televisions equipped with cable. At the same time, truckloads of new equipment were brought in to modernize the workout facilities. The majority of the supplies replaced the old machines; however some new ones were added as well, especially in the cardiovascular area towards the rear of the weight room. A specific goal of the ' renovation was to make the weight room more appealing to female visitors. According to Connor, the newer cardiovascular machines and weight-liftin- g machines were added for exactly that purpose. Guided free weight machines that can hold any desired amount (cli)itnkHg ctjr tekijii of weight were also added. They are designed for anyone to take a shot at the bench press or military lift without concern for finding a spotter or being unable to handle the minimum weight. These machines make it possible for everyone to complete a good, workout in the Westminster weight room. Coach Connor is happy with the results of the remodeling. "It turned out great, and it took a lot of hard work." When asked about student reaction, Connor stated, "All feedback has been terrific, the students love it, the faculty love it." Connor also added that no other major changes were scheduled for the immediate future. Athletic Director Tom Steihke is also very pleased with the results. "Tne new equipment is a welcome addition, and the students appreciate the new facilities." Steinke likes the new machinery in the weight room, as well as the new look, and not just in the weight room. "The new paint in the gymnasium, the liiVs (chnv o (i)t $ ;o;o;qii 1 5ghtrm all-arou- nd Photo byMaritza tlerrera-DiaRevamped weight room takes on a health club look. Students love it, the z faculity love it. carpet in the locker rooms, all this makes Westminster look like a first-rat- e facility." Steinke also pointed out By Lucas Hill Staff Writer The Office of Student Life says it has made dorms students safer recently with the announcement of new security measures, completely effective the week or September These new security precautions are being met with equal amounts of relief ana trepidation among dorm residents, who are adjusting slowly to them. Brittan Bates, Director of Student Life, outlined the dorm security measures in an communique to the residence hall community. "You will need to show your Westminster ID every time you enter a residence hall. You will need to sign in every uest (including residents from other uildings, off campus students, your family and friends, etc...). Your guests need to have hoto ID's every time they enter a residence all. You will need to be present to sign in a because come visit guest just they always will not be allowed to to you, they go your room unescorted." MelanieBanks, sophomore nursing 20. ail that since the new aerobic equipment has been added, he has noticed more females frequenting See Weightroom, page 4 major and one of the dorm security desk monitors, says, "Most people think it's dumb. They don't understand why they have to show ID to be let in to their own building, even though they understand doing it for another building." Even with those feelings. Banks says compliance with the rules has been high, and there has not been a major problem. Karla Staker, senior biology major, elucidated a very common impression of the dorm rules. "It makes me feel like I'm back in the army again." Indeed, there are several students who say they feel like they've been dropped in a distinctly Orwellian atmosphere. Not every dorm student has echoed these negative feelings about the new residence hall security rules. Sophomore education major Shannon Martell says of the new rules, "I like it.. The thing that I like most, too, is that once the person at the desk get used to non-tradition- See Dorm, page 4 al |