Students Reveal Challenges Accessing RWC

By Yadira Pinedo Sports Director

A recent survey conducted among 21 students at California State University, San Bernardino, has shed light on the habits and preferences of students attending the university regarding the campus’s Recreation Wellness Center.

The RWC offers a range of facilities and services to promote health and well-being on campus, and a concerning percentage of participants reported never having visited it. Of the survey’s participants, the majority were full-time students and commuted to campus, with a significant proportion working part-time jobs.

90.5% of participants were full-time students, while the remaining 9.5% were part-time. Additionally, 95.2% of participants commuted to campus, with only a small minority living on campus or in nearby student housing.

57.1% were part-time employees, while 33.3% did not have employment. This suggests that many students are balancing work commitments alongside their studies, which could impact their ability to take advantage of on-campus resources such as the RWC.

Despite the many benefits of the RWC, the survey found that nearly half of the students,

47.6%, have never visited the facility. Only 23.8% of the students reported visiting the center at least once a week, while 28.6% visited 1 to 2 times per week.

This highlights a significant gap in student engagement with the RWC, which offers a range of programs and services designed to support the health and well-being of students.

College students who work part-time or full-time while attending school face a unique set of challenges. Balancing the demands of work and academics can be difficult, especially for those who are working in jobs that require long hours or irregular schedules. Additionally, students who work while attending school may experience financial stress, as they have to juggle the costs of tuition and living expenses with the income from their job.

Working students may also struggle to keep up with their coursework, particularly if they are enrolled in a full-time program. The demands of a full course load combined with work obligations can lead to feelings of burnout. This can result in lower grades, increased stress, and a reduced ability to fully engage with their academic programs.

The RWC provides students

By Celeste Santarrosa Editor-In-Chief

As the number of people beginning to adopt plant-based diets increases, students at California State University, San Bernardino, are demanding vegan and vegetarian options on campus. However, the university fails to provide adequate access to plant-based meals, leaving students struggling to find healthy and sustainable options.

Samantha Vasquez, a senior CSUSB student, experienced the challenges of being a vegetarian on campus for four years firsthand.

“I became vegetarian my freshman year at CSUSB. I quickly realized how difficult it was to eat a healthy vegetarian sustainable diet,” said Vasquez. “I would have to drive to Jackin-the-Box and eat their lousy salad.”

Vasquez’s experience is not unique. Many students at CSUSB who follow a plantbased diet are left with limited options when it comes to dining at The Coyote Commons. The university’s cafeteria and on-campus events often lack vegetarian, vegan, and plantbased options, leaving students with limited to no options for with access to a range of facilities and services, including a fitness center, indoor track, swimming pool, rock wall, and group exercise classes. Students can also access resources such as personal training, nutrition counseling, and health education workshops.

Despite these offerings, the survey found that many students are not taking advantage of these resources, and some are completely unaware of them.

When asked about why they did not visit the RWC, the majority of students cited time conflicts as the primary barrier. 42.9% of students reported that they did not have enough time to visit the center, while 19% said they did not know enough about the center or its services. Other reasons cited by students included lack of interest, transportation issues, and financial barriers.

College students who commute face a variety of barriers when trying to access health services offered on campus. One significant challenge is the distance between the college and the student’s residence. Commuters may have to travel a long distance to get to campus, which can make it difficult to schedule appointments or attend events during regular business