2008 Woodie Awards
Lack of funding limits swimming pool access
Swimming pools available only to physical education students
Stacy Lane
Issue date: 6/9/08 Section: News
Students at De Anza College will have to petition the student senate if they wish to use the campus pools for recreational swim during the academic year. The reason for the current restriction on free swim comes down to two factors: money and time.
According to swim instructor Tom Beggs, De Anza cannot have recreational swim without supervision by qualified lifeguards - an expense the school currently can't afford.
De Anza student Wilson Yuen said, "I think the students have the right to utilize the swimming pool because we pay the tuition."
Other students, such as Tuyen Nguyen, agree. "I like swimming, so they should open it to students who really want to swim. Maybe you could sell tickets."
"Friday would be the only available time for recreational lap swim," said Rich Shroeder, Athletics Division coordinator, but time on Friday is also restricted to hours after 1 p.m. since classes are held until then.
Currently, the pool is used by De Anza's physical education department and De Anza Cupertino Aquatics, an outside, competitive swim program.
De Anza's students are in the pool five days a week, and DACA uses the pool seven days a week.
DACA is currently under contract with De Anza to use its pool facilities and, up until four years ago, funded lifeguards to be on duty for students to swim recreationally. However, according to Beggs, not enough students showed up to justify the expenditure, and DACA was losing money.
Student Mona Jalaeian said, "Maybe students didn't know about it. If they knew, they would really show up."
However, De Anza does offer free swim time during the summer. According to Jerry Koch, associate head coach of the Swimming and Diving Program, lap swim is offered to students and faculty for free from noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
De Anza's sister school, Foothill College, offers recreational lap swim during the summer and hires lifeguards at $10 an hour, according to Sue Gatlin, athletics director at Foothill College.
According to swim instructor Tom Beggs, De Anza cannot have recreational swim without supervision by qualified lifeguards - an expense the school currently can't afford.
De Anza student Wilson Yuen said, "I think the students have the right to utilize the swimming pool because we pay the tuition."
Other students, such as Tuyen Nguyen, agree. "I like swimming, so they should open it to students who really want to swim. Maybe you could sell tickets."
"Friday would be the only available time for recreational lap swim," said Rich Shroeder, Athletics Division coordinator, but time on Friday is also restricted to hours after 1 p.m. since classes are held until then.
Currently, the pool is used by De Anza's physical education department and De Anza Cupertino Aquatics, an outside, competitive swim program.
De Anza's students are in the pool five days a week, and DACA uses the pool seven days a week.
DACA is currently under contract with De Anza to use its pool facilities and, up until four years ago, funded lifeguards to be on duty for students to swim recreationally. However, according to Beggs, not enough students showed up to justify the expenditure, and DACA was losing money.
Student Mona Jalaeian said, "Maybe students didn't know about it. If they knew, they would really show up."
However, De Anza does offer free swim time during the summer. According to Jerry Koch, associate head coach of the Swimming and Diving Program, lap swim is offered to students and faculty for free from noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
De Anza's sister school, Foothill College, offers recreational lap swim during the summer and hires lifeguards at $10 an hour, according to Sue Gatlin, athletics director at Foothill College.
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