E E FR ISSUE 664 30 JAN 2017 exepose.com
EXEPOSÉ
Gym gains: fitness centre to expand EXCLUSIVE
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HE University has set aside funds to extend its £6.5 million on-campus gym - as students complain that lengthy queues and “one-in, one-out” policies have made them question the value of their £200+ memberships. “We have been experiencing a high demand for the Russell Seal Fitness Centre over the past week,” the centre’s Business Systems Manager Andrew Fry told Exeposé, “which is fantastic when the University has an objective for 70% of students to take part in physical activity at least once a week”. 5,673 student members are currently enrolled at Russell Seal - a increase of 216 on last year’s membership figures. “Clearly we need to manage this and this places pressure on facilities,” he admitted, adding: “I’m sure you are aware a new year brings many resolutions and we always see a surge in memberships at this time of year.” “I was there on the first Monday of term at 6pm and it was unreal,” one final year languages student told Exeposé. “They had put signs over the self-service
machines saying that you had to be signed in at the desk and on top of it I was then told it was full!” The experience was “pretty much like a one-in, one-out policy at a club,” she remembered - adding: “after waiting around and finally getting into the actual gym it was so busy that basically no machines or floor spaces were free. “It hasn’t been quite that bad since,” she admitted, “but I do now make sure not to go at all in the evenings.” “At peak time (5-6pm) we have had to unfortunately temporarily restrict entry into the Russell Seal Fitness Centre,” Fry explained. This had only happened on three evenings, he continued - and the restrictions were “a temporary measure, with customers being asked to wait no longer than 10 minutes.” He apologised to members who had been inconvenienced by this, clarifying: “we have not turned anyone away, all have where possible been offered alternative training options.” These included opening up the Athlete Development Centre, Strength and Conditioning gym, providing 30 extra training spaces. Members have also been offered free circuits sessions on a Monday and Thursday at 5:15pm. But the alternatives weren’t welcomed by all members - who argue the gym should not take on more members than it can handle. “As with all gyms, their entire business model is based around....
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COMMENT
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Giusy Urbano Contributor
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Photo: Natasa Christofidou
Hannah Butler & Natasa Christofidou Editor & News Editor
Uni funds scholarships for refugees HE University of Exeter is gearing up to offer one of the most comprehensive scholarship programmes to asylum seekers in the United Kingdom. The Sanctuary Scholarships are the result of a successful academic and student joint venture that saw activists from the university’s STAR branch Student Action for Refugees - liaise with members of academic staff, in an impressive grassroots attempt to make the right to education a reality for even the more vulnerable members of society. When it comes to education, Article 26 of the Declaration of Human Rights in unequivocal: “Everyone has a right to education (…) higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit”. These words are filled with empty cruelty for the scores of asylum seekers and humanitarian protection recipients in the United Kingdom. Despite holding offers to universities, they are barred from receiving any financial support from Student Finance England, which only provides loans for refugees. Left with no means to support themselves, their hopes of receiving an education in line with their abilities are shattered. As a result, different universities in the UK have set up different scholarships plans to give these individuals an education, still leaving many uncovered. The University of Exeter started offering fee waivers for refugees, asylum seekers and recipients of humanitarian protection in 2014, meaning they were...
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LIFESTYLE
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