The University of Kansas
An Official Employee Publication From the Office of University Relations
Fitness center expands hours,
appeals to staff to join
Michelle Kessler of Legal Services for Students works out at the Burge center.
By Ben McCarthy
After a long day on campus, working in the classroom or around the office,
most faculty do not have the energy to stay an extra hour or longer just
to take advantage of the fitness and workout facilities on campus.
But Jill Urkoski, fitness coordinator for recreation services, hopes to
see more faculty and staff sweating it out alongside students.
“We’ve provided the opportunity to join the Burge Fitness
Center and extended hours to give the KU community more avenues to improve
their health and lifestyle,” Urkoski said. “We hope this gives
them a little more flexibility in their hectic schedules.”
For $35 per semester, KU faculty and staff can join the Burge Fitness
Center, which has added 13 hours per week to its schedule.
The center offers an area for faculty and staff to demonstrate healthy
lifestyle choices to students plus get a feel for what the new student
recreation center will feature, Urkoski said.
“It’s good for the students to see the instructors leading
by example, in and out of the classroom,” Urkoski said. “The
workout areas are great atmospheres for the faculty and students to see
each other on a much more approachable level.”
Urkoski knows that each person who uses KU’s fitness facilities
has different needs and objectives. For example, although Robinson boasts
a swimming pool, basketball courts and a rock-climbing area, faculty and
staff have made numerous requests to use the Burge Fitness Center.
“Burge’s fitness area offers different options than Robinson,”
Urkoski said. “With the Burge, the faculty and staff can work out
in an area that is climate controlled, has TVs and a radio available,
and the equipment is only about a year old.”
In addition, a number of faculty and staff already are heavily involved
with the aerobics courses, for which KU charges a fee each semester. Enrollment
in aerobics classes, known as KU Fit, often is about 25 percent faculty
and staff. Classes are offered seven days a week, with times in early
morning, late afternoon and evening. KU Fit costs $40 a semester or $20
for half a semester.
“KU Fit always draws a good number of faculty and staff,”
Urkoski said. “The aerobics and the personal training we offer are
very well used because the price is so affordable compared to other health
clubs, and the staff in charge are professional. Many are certified instructors
and personal trainers.”
- More information: The full range
of recreation services available on campus will be on display at the
Recreation Services booth at the Health Fair on Sept. 18. Information
concerning the new recreation center under construction, as well as
other recreation programs and services, also is available at www.ku.edu/~recserv.
- Burge Fitness Center
New hours:
8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Monday, Wednesday and Friday
6:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday
10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday