The Sallie Tiernan Field House, Scripps College’s athletic facility, has reduced its hours and transferred more management responsibility to Scripps students this year.
The Field House, which was open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. last year, is now open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
“A committee reviewed the user trends and identified low participation for the building at 6 a.m. and 11 p.m.,” Field House Director Tamsen Burke said. He added that it was more financially responsible to close the building at these times than to keep it open.
The Field House’s pool has yet to settle on a schedule, since the student lifeguards must first finalize class schedules. E-mails are sent out to the Field House community before any changes are made to pool hours. Monday through Thursday, Field House staff try to keep the Scripps pool open 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. However, Burke states that it is “a lot of hours” and the commitment may not be easily filled.
Burke and Assistant Director Deb Gisvold are currently training six Scripps students as building managers who will be responsible for supervising the customer service staff and the programs conducted in the facility during their shift.
“They really are given some great responsibility in terms of their leadership and management,” Burke said.
Once they finish their training, the students, who are certified in first aid and CPR, will supervise the building without the presence of professional staff in the evening and close down the building at night.
“[It’s] a great honor that the professional staff have hired us, and trust us,” Building Manager Alexis Barab SC ‘13 said. “We will be ready, and it’ll be very exciting.”
This transition reflects the vision of the Sallie Tiernan Field House, which is to be “for the students and by the students.” Burke explained that this vision is not unique to Scripps but rather is something that occurs within the industry.
“We’re governed under NIRSA (National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association), and it is a standard that students given opportunities of leadership and autonomy,” Burke said.
“I think [the student manager program] fits perfectly,” Barab said. “Because other students see us in this role, and whenever they need us, we’re there to help them.”
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