I was greatly disappointed to see that the SGA passed the approval of the new Campus Recreation facility. Because of this, it has got me wondering where exactly UTM’s priorities are.

I am not totally against the addition of this building. I just think that there are several other more important concerns that this campus could spend our money on that current and future students would greatly benefit more from. One thing in particular, which will be the sole focus of this article, is the expansion of UTM’s Graduate School program.

First, I want to start with a question. Did you know that UTM is the only public university in Tennessee with over 4,000 students that does not have a campus recreation facility? That question seems to be the main thing that drove the SGA to pass the approval. My answer to that question is does it really matter that we are the only school without one? Is it really a necessity to have this facility?

Before you answer that question, let’s consider this though: Out of all the bachelor degrees a student can get here, UTM only offers Master’s degree programs in 5 areas of concentration, which are: agricultural operations management, family and consumer sciences, accountancy, business administration, and education. So if none of those were your major, tough luck according to UTM.

Now, where exactly are UTM’s priorities? Are we more worried about recreational activities than academic studies? That’s how it seems to me, especially when no one else has even considered expanding the graduate school program and is more worried about building this “grown-up playground.” Do we really think that this facility is going to be the leading factor in attracting and retaining future students? I think not! If you were to have shown me the building, I would have been like “big deal.” Personally, I didn’t decide to come here for recreational activities. I came here because UTM had my major. Also, luckily for me, UTM also offers a Master’s degree program for my major. Unfortunately, I can’t say that for the other 5,000+ students.

I think the current students and future students would greatly benefit more now if more graduate school degrees were offered than with a campus recreation facility. Talk about attracting and retaining students! Not only can you go here and get your bachelor’s degree, but you can also get your master’s. But, now, it looks as though that thought and dream of most students will have to wait and take the backseat to recreational activities because the powers-that-be believe more students will benefit from playing around and goofing off with recreational activities than furthering their education and possibly making a difference in the future.

They say that when this building gets built, they will put lights up around the fitness trail. Here’s a thought for those who say that, and I bet they didn’t even think of this, why don’t you put lights up anyways? I didn’t know that it would take a new building for this campus to care about the safety of our students who choose to walk/jog at night.

So, instead of spending our money for a new recreational facility, why don’t we use our money to put lights up around the fitness trail anyways and expand our Master’s degree program? Not a bad thought there, huh?

Also, they say that right now, we have to cater to our sports teams that need the gym to practice on. Here’s another thought: for everyone who wants to use the gym that is not on our sports teams, what you are choosing to do is considered recreation. Recreation is something you choose to do on your own time for fun. Because of that, there are other places you can find to participate in your recreational activities. What our sports teams are doing is something they have to do so it is only “fitting” for them to get top priority over the gym.

There may not be much we can do about it now, but if we try hard enough, there may be something we can do to reverse the decision the SGA made. Maybe we can urge some of UTM’s other higher powers-that-be to really consider the decision they are making in caring more about recreational activities than academic studies. If there is nothing we can do, I just urge everyone to think about the priorities of this campus especially for the benefit of our future students.