By TAYLOR FARNSWORTH
Opinions Editor
College students know the struggle of trying to multitask all too well once the school year approaches. Between studying for classes, having a job, and also trying to have a social life, it’s no surprise that the priority of one’s health is put on the back burner.
In an effort to try to help with multitasking and keeping students well-being at the forefront, Drew Urbanek, the library director, along with his colleagues installed two stationary work out bikes in the library this past summer.
Urbanek said he has noticed some hesitation from students and faculty when it comes to giving the bikes a try.
“I get the sense that folks are kind of like, can I get on this, can I not get on this, like what is this deal,” said Urbanek. “There are so many signs on campus, and I didn’t want to put a sign on them like ‘Please use this,’ so I am just going to leave it and we’ll see if folks use it.”
A lot of students and faculty are unaware that the library purchased these bikes over the summer. The location could be to blame. The bikes are inside of the reading room area on the first floor now referred to as the food zone, an area that some might just walk past after entering the library. But for students and faculty that frequent that area often, they know all about this new addition to the library.
Although Urbanek said he has not seen student’s using the bicycles with his own eyes, he did hear that there is a video going around of a student who fi lmed him or herself while using it. Fiona Steacy, the circulation coordinator at the library, thinks it will be interesting to see which students are “bold enough” to try the bikes once the word gets out. But when the word did get out to one student, she was surprised.
“Never in a million years would I think they would try to infuse a gym into a library,” said Geena Davis, a senior at the college.
Davis said that she can’t personally see herself using the machine but if other students can, then kudos to them.
Some faculty members are looking at this new change as the library becoming practical and progressive.
“I see it as a creative way to do your homework, while still not losing the essence of the library,” said Ann Neilson, the physical education department chair.
Neilson said that when an individual is doing any type of aerobic exercise, it sends more oxygen to the brain which allows that individual to retain more information and also think more clearly. Anthony Barker, the student athlete wellness and fitness center coordinator, also mentioned the benefits that come with aerobic exercise and called the idea brilliant.
“The bikes are a great way to relieve stress and get endorphins naturally,” said Barker.
He does not think sedentary students will be likely to give the new bikes a try, but he does think they will be great for students who are already physically active and want to multitask.
“It’s wonderful,” said Barker, “You kill two birds with one stone.
Neilson understands why some students, like Davis, would see the bikes as being problematic, but still feels it’s a great option to give the students.
“Some people can only focus on one thing at a time and can’t multitask,” said Neilson, “but offering the bikes supports the idea of lifetime fitness and wellness, which is our goal at the fitness department.”
Urbanek explained that he and his colleagues are constantly trying to fi nd new ways to meet both student and faculty demands.
The idea for the bikes came to Urbanek from a friend of his at the University of Georgia at Athens, “My buddy told me that there are 10 of these things [bikes] in the learning commons and people line up behind them waiting their turn to ride the bike and use the laptop or read.”
At the end of last semester, Urbanek said that the library had a little less than $1,000 left over in their budget to purchase new material.
“So I had maybe $800 left and so I thought, okay I have this $800, how can I use it?”
Out of that money, Urbanek bought not only the two bicycles, which cost about $200 each, but a few board games and puzzles as well. Students and faculty can still have their competitive chess matches in the library, but now there is more variety of activities available. With the purchase of board games such as, Scrabble, Clue, Backgammon, and True Genius brainteaser puzzles, students and faculty will have plenty of options to choose from when they need a break or have a few hours to spare between classes.
“So you know how there are three different types of learners: you hear it, you have to see it, you have to read it, or you have to do it. Well, I am trying to base that kind of thing here in the library,” said Urbanek.
The bikes are geared towards students who want to keep moving while they work, he said, for when they need to just blow off some steam. The board games are more for students and faculty who are cerebral, and the puzzles are for those who are more mechanical and need something to “fidget with” while they work.
“Whenever we start something new, we get one or two, and if it goes well then we will buy more, or do more,” said Urbanek, “But if it doesn’t go well then we can donate the bikes to the fitness center.”
One student raised some concerns about the noise of the bikes inside of the library.
“I feel like putting exercise equipment in a library would make it a louder environment,” said Christina Caliguri, a transfer student from Rockland Community College.
When considering the noise aspect of the machines, Barker said that stationary bikes are very quiet. He did say that it makes sense to put them in a separate room as to not distract other students.
Urbanek chose the reading room location for the bikes because that area can be quieter than most places in the library and it’s also where students can now go to eat and drink.
“There are big windows there,” said Urbanek, “and I thought, wouldn’t it be fun to like be riding the bikes, looking out on campus doing your work, and seeing your friends walk by.”
The only concern from campus administration with the bikes was solely insurance based. Administration wanted to make sure that the library did not invalidate insurance policies in case a student or faculty member hurts him or herself while working out.
For the most part, the library’s addition of these bikes has received positive feedback. Not only do they promote a healthy lifestyle, but it also gives students an opportunity to multitask while getting their work done.
“If it’s late at night and a student has a final exam at eight in the morning,” said Urbanek, “and they’re trying to cram all their stuff in and they get on that bike and burn off some stress while they’re cramming, that’s the stuff that matters.”
