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SPORTS

The Norwich Guidon
Feb. 12, 2004

Competition for Goodyear Pool's free swim time causes conflict

A student swims laps in the Goodyear Pool, which has been open to students, faculty and staff since it was built. Some students complain that there are not adequate times for students to free swim. (Chujko photo)

By Kate Drummey
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

When 20-year-old Scott Little first came to Norwich, he was given a tour of the campus just like every other incoming prospect. The part of the tour that was the most exciting for him, however, was Goodyear Pool. A resident of Standish, Maine, Little was not interested in being on the Norwich men's swimming team, but planned on using the pool for "a lot of leisurely swimming time."

Now, after almost three years at Norwich University, Little, a junior mechanical engineering major, has yet to put even a toe into the water of Goodyear Pool. Like many other students at Norwich, Little does not like the hours during which the pool is open to non-team swimmers on campus.

"The pool would be great if I could get to it once in awhile, but the allotted time frame is out of my reach most of the time," Little said.

Currently, the open swim hours for Goodyear Pool in the Plumley Armory are 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, it's open from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to signs on the residence hall billboards and at the gym. It is during these hours that any student or faculty member can go and swim in the pool.

"I think the times for the pool are ridiculous," said Camille Betito, 19, a sophomore nursing major from Washington, D.C. "I think they should open it up during mid-afternoon or earlier at night, because people are in class, or too tired by 9 o'clock at night."

"It kind of aggravates me that it only has certain hours that people can go in there," said Jessielynn Bagnas, 20, a sophomore communications and English major from San Antonio, Texas.

"I think that's one of the reasons that the pool is not as popular as it can be."

Many students on campus are not even aware of the pool's existence, or didn't know that they are allowed to swim in it.

"I never even knew the pool existed until last year, when a friend told me there was a swim meet at the pool," Bagnas said. "I really like the pool in Plumley; I just was never told when I could use it," Betito said. "I think they need to publicize the hours more and let people know that they can use it, ‘cause we're all paying for it, so we should get to use it."

Joe Byrne, 22, a senior criminal justice major from Franklin, Mass, does not like how the pool and gym facilities are managed.

"We have such a wonderful facility, here. We have the security; we have the student interest; why not keep Plumley open later?" Byrne asked.

Several students plan to use the pool more when the weather becomes warmer and more conducive to walking to Plumley Armory. Regardless of the weather, the hours set aside for free swim are not compatible with Little's and many other students' schedules.

"What's the point of having a huge pool if no one on campus can ever find the time to use it?" Little said.

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, Northfield, VT 056632. www.norwich.edu/guidon. If you have any questions or comments about the paper, please contact Professor Ken Bush at kbush@norwich.edu.