University Recreation Department employees 405 students
The University Recreation Department at Central Michigan University provides 405 students with work experience and a way to pay the bills.
This is a large number when compared to other recreation programs in the state. Western Michigan University, which has facilities comparable to CMU's, employs only approximately 40-50 student workers.
The University Recreation Department is comprised of: the Student Activity Center, the Event Center, and the Bovee University Events and Conference Services. The three centers allow the department to hire a large number of students.
“All of these departments will provide the same quality,” said Jasmine Chatten, assistant director of facility operations and customer relations. “With that they will also all provide the same positive impact on any event.”
A $23,000 carpet renovation took place over spring break in the University Recreation Office, located in the Student Activity Center.
Assistant Vice President Stan Shingles said carpet was replaced for "routine maintenance," when the resources were available and the renovation warranted. The budgeted money came from the University Recreation's auxiliary services project fund.
"(The carpet) is something we looked at two years ago and said it's basically lived it's life," Shingles said. "The last time we replaced the carpet in our office complex was in 2001, so that was fourteen years ago."
Faculty started moving out of the office on March 5. Mount Pleasant's David Assman's Carpet Installation Service laid the carpet Friday, March 6 to Tuesday, March 10.
University Recreations can have up to 500 student employees, a majority of which work at the SAC. About 100 students work for the Events Center and less than 10 work in Events and Conferences Services.
Kellie Schafer, assistant director of student personnel, said the structure is about benefiting the student employees.
“Having one large division provides students with more opportunities for employment,” Schafer said. “More importantly, the goal is to provide these students with great life experiences.”
Grant Rivet is one of many CMU students working for University Recreation who enjoys having numerous co workers. The Bay City freshman works at the service center desk in the SAC, answering phones and questions.
“Having more employees makes it a great way to get to know people,” Rivet said. “It helps when you´re going into a big class and having good odds knowing someone there.”
Paige Gillie, a fitness specialist at the SAC, said there are very few problems with working with a large staff.
“You get less hours since there are so many employees,” the Harrison senior said. “But everything else is very positive.”
Having one division run all these events is very unique, not only compared to other MAC schools but to all campuses in general.
Keith Voeks, assistant director of University Events, said the Breslin Center at Michigan State University is run by just the student activity department. At CMU, the initial planning all the way to the end of the event is all covered by one large division made up of the three centers.
“We provide great customer service when it comes to covering events,” Voeks said. “We make it so that one phone call is all a person needs to do.”
