Division of Recreational Sports announces fees for intramurals, group exercise

August 4, 2005

Division of Recreational Sports announces fees for intramurals, group exercise

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. –Purdue University's Division of Recreational Sports will begin charging fees for intramural and group exercise programs in the fall to help fund safety and staff training and enhance sports programs.

Howard Taylor, director of recreational sports, said this is the first time the center has charged any fees for these activities, which in the past have been totally funded by the division.

"We regret that we have to charge even a small amount to participate in these activities, but we simply do not have any other recourse if we are to maintain a safe environment for our members," he said. "We will now be able to provide mandatory safety training for our entire staff, as well as supply qualified officials for intramural sporting events. It also will allow us to provide adequate supervision within the facilities."

The decision was unanimously approved earlier this year by the center's advisory council, which includes students, faculty, staff and Division of Recreational Sports employees. There will be no price increase for overall membership, but fees will be charged this fall to participants in the following activities:

Intramural individual and dual sports – $5 per person per tournament, which generally run one per semester.

Minor intramural team activities – $25 per team per tournament. Includes sports such as sand volleyball, dodge ball, ultimate Frisbee, wallyball and 3-on-3 basketball.

Major intramural team activities – $40 per team per tournament. Includes officiated sports such as 5-on-5 basketball, flag football, soccer, softball and volleyball.

Group exercise/aerobics – $40 per semester. Participants can attend any of the 40-45 classes offered per week. During summer session, the fee will be $20. During the first week of each semester, attendance at any of the classes will be free.

"Because these programs are very costly to run, supporting them has hindered our ability to manage our facilities and programs effectively," Taylor said. "We researched other Big Ten institutions and found that nine of the other 10 are currently charging fees for these programs. Safety and security are important, and without these fees, it would have been necessary to reduce or cut programs."

CONTACT: Howard Taylor, (765) 494-3114, hhtaylor@purdue.edu

Writer: Chad Boutin, (765) 494-2081, cboutin@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

Related Web site:
Purdue Recreational Sports Center

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