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No gym in UCD

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13

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    #62
    Chucky the tree
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19,341 ✭✭✭✭Chucky the tree


    errlloyd wrote: »
    Do you do anything on campus other than come in, go to your lectures and go home? I buy all my own books, why should my fees pay for your library? My course only has 12 hours of lectures and no tutorials a week, my lectures are all 100+ students, I am one of the cheapest students from the colleges point of view, why should I pay the same fees as science and med students who require complex labs and huge hours in small groups?

    Why not extend this further? I drive, I pay road tax, VRT, fuel duty, and VAT on everything from the cost of the car, to the cost of the petrol. Why the **** should my tax money go to subsidising public transport. Why do I pay for council housing when I don't live in it.

    You could answer with "We live in a welfare state" but that answer would be wrong, the answer is because we voted for it. We democractically decided we wanted it.

    UCD voted for this Levy, and the students who voted for it knew they would never see it. They paid and got absolutely diddly squat. Stop complaining about it, go in tomorrow, get on the treadmill and start getting the most out of it.


    Library provides an academic service for students, that's probably why fees go towards it. Same with lecturers etc. If students want entertainment and enjoyment, they should pay for it themselves.

    You pay taxes but you get something back for your taxes. Free education(lol), health care, gardai, transport etc etc. Plenty of students will be paying the levy and getting zero back. That's the problem.

    I never voted for this, this was voted for a long time again wasn't it? Since we have the building here why not asked the current students to vote on it?


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    #63
    TimeToShine
    Registered Users Posts: 4,881 ✭✭✭TimeToShine


    what's this talk about a cinema? When will it be ready?


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    #64
    Mardy Bum
    Registered Users Posts: 3,674 ✭✭✭Mardy Bum


    WeeBushy wrote: »
    Students at the time had a referendum and chose to pay the student contribution fee.

    I am aware of this and I would guess there was a lot of bull**** promises made at the time about construction time limits and cost of usage that kept people with an inkling of hope that they may get to use it.


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    #65
    bnt
    Registered Users Posts: 12,986 ✭✭✭✭bnt


    LifesaverNiall wrote: »
    Thats kinda cool.. might be a bit of a hassle though if youre waiting for a machine and someones there not using it but saving their data or doing something else..
    Well, I've only done it once, and it took about ten seconds, including a couple of hits on the touchscreen. You only have data to save immediately after you've used the machine.

    From out there on the moon, international politics look so petty. You want to grab a politician by the scruff of the neck and drag him a quarter of a million miles out and say, ‘Look at that, you son of a bitch’.

    — Edgar Mitchell, Apollo 14 Astronaut



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    #66
    imp
    Registered Users Posts: 895 ✭✭✭imp


    WeeBushy wrote: »
    Students aren't really being shafted, they get access to a fantastic facility for €150 (€250 with the pool). You won't find value like that anywhere else. And to have a couple of hours concession so that they can fund the place it quite reasonable imo.

    If I was a TCD student I'd get access to an arguably better gym and an almost-as-good pool for far less, with no restrictions on the time of day I could use them.


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    #67
    Jello
    Registered Users Posts: 2,739 ✭✭✭Jello


    RMD wrote: »
    Students can't use the gym between 6.15PM and 8.15PM due to it being peak time.
    Is this the case already does anyone know? Or is it from September on, like having to pay for the pool..


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    #68
    OneOfThem Stumbled
    Registered Users Posts: 934 ✭✭✭OneOfThem Stumbled


    The pool is never free for students (subsidised PAYG or annual sub).
    The gym is always free for current students.
    The carpark can never be used by students.
    I believe that the time restriction on students is currently in place.

    Students can presumably avail of the carpark and restricted times if they pay private membership. :D


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    #69
    Timbuk3
    Registered Users Posts: 7 ✭Timbuk3


    Can anyone tell me how long is the gym open to in the evenings, and what time does it open at?

    Also I've heard by many that the weights section is very poor. Are there many benches to avail of? What sort of machines do they have? And how heavy do the free weights go up to? :)


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    #70
    dtmc
    Registered Users Posts: 53 ✭✭dtmc


    6am - 11pm (Mon - Fri) and 8am to 6pm (Sat - Sun).

    Students have access to the facilities at all times excluding 6.15pm -8.15pm Mon to Thurs!


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    #71
    errlloyd
    Registered Users Posts: 12,611 ✭✭✭✭errlloyd


    Can anyone tell me how long is the gym open to in the evenings, and what time does it open at?

    Also I've heard by many that the weights section is very poor. Are there many benches to avail of? What sort of machines do they have? And how heavy do the free weights go up to?

    Its open from 7am to 11pm. from what I have heard they are still waiting on a few machines, but from what I see the free weights section is pretty good.
    Also what's this talk about a cinema? When will it be ready?

    Its a 96 seat cinema, with a full sized 3d screen and dolby surround sound. There are reclining chairs, cup holders, and the nearby SU centre will be selling popcorn. The cinema is ready to go, they've tested the screen in 3d and 2d. They are opening it when college starts from what I hear. It will play films 6 weeks after their Irish theatre release and cost about 2-3e per movie. It will also be used fro Filmsoc to host movie marathons and CTN to play their own films. Finally its hooked up to sky sports and large sporting events will be played live in it as well. I was very impressed.
    imp wrote: »
    If I was a TCD student I'd get access to an arguably better gym and an almost-as-good pool for far less, with no restrictions on the time of day I could use them.

    Well actually the TCD Gym is open two hours less per day, 7am to 10pm. And a good friend who is a very frequent user of the gym says its basically unusable between 6pm and 10pm because its completely packed with paying members.

    The TCD Gym is nowhere near better? Who is spreading this myth? The UCD gym is waiting on a few machines, but it already has more machines than TCD. Way way more cardio, and more weights too.

    I also don't see where you get "Almost-as-good pool from". The Pool in TCD is one fifth of the size to start with. Just to give you some examples of things the UCD pool is better for, it has a movable floors allowing you to change the depth, it has UV lighting meaning less Chlorine is used in the water, it has two full tepidarium, with Sauna, Steam Room, Jacuzzi, Circulation Bath, Showers, one for students, one for members. And its not in a basement. They are incomparable. Trinities is the absolute minimum requirement of a pool, 25 x 10, changing rooms and cold showers. Ours is arguably the best pool in Ireland.

    Library provides an academic service for students, that's probably why fees go towards it. Same with lecturers etc. If students want entertainment and enjoyment, they should pay for it themselves.

    Arguably almost every single thing in that building provides an academic service for some faculty. But sure if you're going to go that way, I don't gain any enjoyment from green spaces, or sculptures, or nice architecture, or lakes. Why can't I pay less fees and go to college in a portokabin in a cement factory somewhere in the former soviet union.
    You pay taxes but you get something back for your taxes. Free education(lol), health care, gardai, transport etc etc. Plenty of students will be paying the levy and getting zero back. That's the problem.

    No one gets nothing out of the levy, you'd have to go out of your way to not step into the building, not step into the bar, not join a society, not see a show. If this is annoying you so much, go to DCU they don't have a levy, oh wait they do, its 272. Well you could go to trinity, they don't have a levy? Oh wait of course they do, and their levy only provides for people who want to use a GYM or Pool. It provides nothing for the average non sport student, unlike ours. How bout Maynooth, sh!t turns out they have a levy as well. 97 euro.
    I never voted for this, this was voted for a long time again wasn't it? Since we have the building here why not asked the current students to vote on it?

    And if we vote no, presumably we demolish it? To be fair we could have a vote tomorrow, only the saddest most miserable of people would vote no.

    I don't want to defend this building any more, its absolute class speaks for itself.


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    #72
    WeeBushy
    Registered Users Posts: 3,572 ✭✭✭WeeBushy


    imp wrote: »
    If I was a TCD student I'd get access to an arguably better gym and an almost-as-good pool for far less, with no restrictions on the time of day I could use them.

    With all due respect that's bollox. The UCD pool is one of the top three pools in all of Ireland, being one of only three olympic standard pools. The Trinity pool is as standard as they come. Also the UCD gym is way better, much more equipment, machines, cardio, weights etc. Ask anyone who uses the Trinity gym regularly and they'll tell you its pretty crap. The UCD gym, while not world class like the pool, is a good gym.
    errlloyd wrote: »
    I also don't see where you get "Almost-as-good pool from". The Pool in TCD is one fifth of the size to start with. Just to give you some examples of things the UCD pool is better for, it has a movable floors allowing you to change the depth, it has UV lighting meaning less Chlorine is used in the water, it has two full tepidarium, with Sauna, Steam Room, Jacuzzi, Circulation Bath, Showers, one for students, one for members. And its not in a basement. They are incomparable. Trinities is the absolute minimum requirement of a pool, 25 x 10, changing rooms and cold showers. Ours is arguably the best pool in Ireland.

    Just to be pendantic, imo, the NAQ is defo a better pool, but it really is world class. The other olympic pool out in ULprobably isn't as good, I've never trained in it though, only seen it. I would say the UCD pool is the second best in the country. Not half bad for only €100. Otherwise +1 to the rest of your (v good) post.


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    #73
    WeeBushy
    Registered Users Posts: 3,572 ✭✭✭WeeBushy


    TimeToShine wrote: »
    What's the free weights section like in the new gym?

    Its good, not sensational, but good. As good as you'll see in most gyms, bar specialist weightlifting gyms like Ironside. I was a little disappointed as I was expecting a world class gym, but its not bad at all.

    2 power racks, 4 bench, 1 bench press, dumbells up to 50kg, with another bench press and 3 benches on the way as well as a lot more plates. Good assistance equipment as well.


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    #74
    Chucky the tree
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19,341 ✭✭✭✭Chucky the tree


    If it's so class then people who use it should pay for it. Of course having other people pay for stuff you enjoy is far better though.


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    #75
    WeeBushy
    Registered Users Posts: 3,572 ✭✭✭WeeBushy


    Chucky the tree wrote: »
    If it's so class then people who use it should pay for it. Of course having other people pay for stuff you enjoy is far better though.

    These facilities wouldn't exist if that was the case. If its upsets you that much then why not run a campaign for a referendum on the student levy. Democracy's a bitch, eh?


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    #76
    Rothmans
    Registered Users Posts: 1,805 ✭✭✭Rothmans


    Chucky the tree wrote: »
    that list is pretty terrible tbh.

    I strongly agree with Chucky here

    errlloyd wrote: »
    Its not a gym levy, its a building levy.

    Your use of everything.

    Pharmacy (A private business, presumably they pay rent for the use of the premises. This gains money for the SU, so why should we have to pay to subsidise private business. This provides absolutely no benefit for students. )
    Shop (As above)
    Theatre
    Cinema (As above)
    Debate Chamber (Which are unecesarry given the use of much bigger theatres for debates in Newman , and by all accounts is going to be useless, given its size)
    Dance Studio
    Pillates Studio ( :confused: Because we all know how the vast majority of UCD students love their dancing and pilates)
    24 hour study room ( Most will study at home, rather than having to walk hone at 3 or 4am tbh)
    Belfield FM studio ( Are you joking?)
    Major Society offices (I'll give you that one)
    Gym (Other colleges either don't charge, or charge only a nominal fee)
    Pool ( No, this costs €100 on top of what is already being paid)
    Cafe ( Private business etc)
    Meeting Rooms (Good for societies)
    Forum Bar (Likely our only bar on campus) (Private business etc)
    Newspapers ( ???? What new newspapers are going to come on the scene?)

    All of that is included in the Levy, because of all that **** is in the new building. If you're gonna be a hardcore academic, you'll get 200 worth out of the 24 hour study zone alone, but to be honest there is something for everyone in there, and I am incredibly proud of it. I was showing it off to trinity mates today and they were jealous.

    The building is incredible, I am so disappointed I only have a year left to enjoy it.


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    #77
    Chucky the tree
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19,341 ✭✭✭✭Chucky the tree


    WeeBushy wrote: »
    These facilities wouldn't exist if that was the case. If its upsets you that much then why not run a campaign for a referendum on the student levy. Democracy's a bitch, eh?


    Because it would fail. SU and UCD won't allow this cash cow be closed. Yes 12 year old democracy FTW. Maybe we should have the same poltical party in charge for 12 years as well?


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    #78
    OneOfThem Stumbled
    Registered Users Posts: 934 ✭✭✭OneOfThem Stumbled


    Chucky the tree wrote: »
    that list is pretty terrible tbh.


    It would be far better than expecting people who aren't interested in using it to pay for it. It's a great little earner for UCD though so I wouldn't expect them to stop it.

    Your list argument doesn't make sense. Are you saying that the student centre is superlative? Or are you saying it doesn't go far enough? On one hand you are making it sound as if it doesn't go far enough... and then you say you wouldn't be interested in using ANYTHING in the new building. :D

    As for saying that only people who use it should pay... I know a good few people who never ever use the library. The rest of the rebuttal is too obvious that it does not merit elaboration. :P

    This is a top class university sir, not a tech.

    All of the facilities in UCD are subsidised - yes, even those things that you pay cash for.

    One of the great things about this new centre is that it has sucked the soul out of the Gateway Project. There was a plan which had a whole building dedicated to a cinema and a whole building dedicated to a theatre. The new centre will have serious costs to run, but it should, hopefully, be manageable.

    Chucky the tree wrote: »
    SU and UCD won't allow this cash cow be closed.

    In relation to the student population it will be running at a loss.

    Rothmans wrote:
    I strongly agree with Chucky here

    I see what you are saying.. that many aspects of it are mirrored elsewhere on campus - but you are missing the point of pulling the disparate crappy facilities together into a proper place. The current facilities for Dramsoc, College Tribune, Belfield FM, CTN, yes, even Law-Soc and L&H are pretty desperate (besides size the lecture theatres aren't terribly suited to debates). I originally felt that there should be some sort of social centre established in Newman as so many of the socs were based there - but I'm happy in having a new Student Centre in lieu of that.

    I'm not interested in dancing or aerobics, but you shouldn't diss those who do. Moreover, as someone who is interested in other sports clubs I welcome the extra space we have by moving dance, pilates, etc. out of the sports centre. :D


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    #79
    WeeBushy
    Registered Users Posts: 3,572 ✭✭✭WeeBushy


    He's essentially saying because not everyone will use a particular facility we shouldn't all have to pay for it. Well then we wouldn't have a college at all in no time.

    I'm outta this. Love the new facility.


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    #80
    mloc
    Registered Users Posts: 2,567 ✭✭✭mloc


    I think also there a bigger picture here; apart from the individual benefits (or lack of them) from each part of the student center, it also functions as a major attraction to get students into UCD, over other universities. This increases UCD's revenues, particularly if it attracts foreign students with extra fees involved.


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    #81
    Chucky the tree
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19,341 ✭✭✭✭Chucky the tree


    OneOfThem Stumbled wrote: »
    Your list argument doesn't make sense. Are you saying that the student centre is superlative? Or are you saying it doesn't go far enough? On one hand you are making it sound as if it doesn't go far enough... and then you say you wouldn't be interested in using ANYTHING in the new building. :D

    As for saying that only people who use it should pay... I know a good few people who never ever use the library. The rest of the rebuttal is too obvious that it does not merit elaboration. :P

    This is a top class university sir, not a tech.

    All of the facilities in UCD are subsidised - yes, even those things that you pay cash for.

    One of the great things about this new centre is that it has sucked the soul out of the Gateway Project. There was a plan which had a whole building dedicated to a cinema and a whole building dedicated to a theatre. The new centre will have serious costs to run, but it should, hopefully, be manageable.


    How does it not make sense? Rothams pretty much nailed it. Most of the stuff on the list in fairly disappointing and of no use to plenty of people. The only thing it provides that is essential is a gym, which by all accounts isn't a disappointment.

    OneOfThem Stumbled wrote: »
    In relation to the student population it will be running at a loss.


    It would be running at a far larger lose if it didn't force 22k people into paying for it. Over €3m a year is a pretty decen return for fairly poor services tbh.

    He's essentially saying because not everyone will use a particular facility we shouldn't all have to pay for it. Well then we wouldn't have a college at all in no time.

    I'm outta this. Love the new facility.


    I'm saying people shouldn't have to pay money to access a facilitate only to be charged on top of that. If the library charged every time someone entered or rented a book then I'd consider that a joke, if college charged every time someone used a lecture hall or computer lab I'd consider that a joke as well.

    I still have to pay to use the bar, shop, cinema, pharmacy, pool. I presume there'll be a charge on the big name debates/guests as well.


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    #82
    errlloyd
    Registered Users Posts: 12,611 ✭✭✭✭errlloyd


    Chucky the tree wrote: »
    I still have to pay to use the bar, shop, cinema, pharmacy, pool. I presume there'll be a charge on the big name debates/guests as well.

    Societies aren't allowed charge admission for debates or guests, they never have. Do you even go to UCD?


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    #83
    Chucky the tree
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19,341 ✭✭✭✭Chucky the tree


    errlloyd wrote: »
    Societies aren't allowed charge admission for debates or guests, they never have. Do you even go to UCD?


    Sorry, you have to be a member of the society then isn't it? lol, toys out of the pram.


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    #84
    RMD
    Registered Users Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭RMD


    Chucky the tree wrote: »
    Sorry, you have to be a member of the society then isn't it? lol, toys out of the pram.

    2 quid at the start of the year and usually receive a bag worth stuff containing more than 2 quid? Jesus ye it's a hard life to raise that type of money. Of the 4 talks I've been to I've never had to show my card.


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    #85
    OneOfThem Stumbled
    Registered Users Posts: 934 ✭✭✭OneOfThem Stumbled


    Chucky the tree wrote: »
    How does it not make sense? Rothams pretty much nailed it. Most of the stuff on the list in fairly disappointing and of no use to plenty of people. The only thing it provides that is essential is a gym, which by all accounts isn't a disappointment.

    How on earth is a gym essential? No, seriously; a lot of people will get great use out of the gym, and find it an excellent facility in UCD, but they are hardly going to starve without it, or not get a degree, are they? Why should we be subsidising a gym that many people will have no use for. :D

    (I'm being ironic btw)

    You should join one of the debating societies to gain experience in honing your argument :P
    Chucky the tree wrote: »
    It would be running at a far larger lose if it didn't force 22k people into paying for it. Over €3m a year is a pretty decen return for fairly poor services tbh.

    So... not a cash cow ? And wait.. the services are only poor because we don't need them? I see...

    Chucky the tree wrote: »
    I'm saying people shouldn't have to pay money to access a facilitate only to be charged on top of that. If the library charged every time someone entered or rented a book then I'd consider that a joke, if college charged every time someone used a lecture hall or computer lab I'd consider that a joke as well.

    I still have to pay to use the bar, shop, cinema, pharmacy, pool. I presume there'll be a charge on the big name debates/guests as well.

    You have half a point but, oh man - try swinging that by those graduating who have been paying the levy for the last few years who'll have to pay over €500 if they want to use the pool and gym, as opposed to the €0 you have to pay to use the gym, or €100 optional fee you can pay if you want to use the swimming pool. But, by your own admission, you won't be, so you don't have to pay that sum. :pac:

    Sorry for labouring the point, but one of the great advantages the new student centre will bring is the manner in which it will make UCD look more attractive and successful. It's a bit rich, then, for people who have been subsidised by previous students and the taxpayer to rubbish it online.

    Edit: Another great advantage that the new student centre will have is the manner in which it doesn't close until 11pm - unlike the 10pm closing times of the old student centre and arts block.


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    #86
    Chucky the tree
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19,341 ✭✭✭✭Chucky the tree


    OneOfThem Stumbled wrote: »
    How on earth is a gym essential? No, seriously; a lot of people will get great use out of the gym, and find it an excellent facility in UCD, but they are hardly going to starve without it, or not get a degree, are they? Why should we be subsidising a gym that many people will have no use for. :D

    We're not subsidising the gym, we are paying €188 for it even if you don't use it. Fair enough, not essential but it is the only thing in the building that is of much use or is not already provided for nearby.


    OneOfThem Stumbled wrote: »
    And again... so not a cash cow then? And the services are only poor because we don't need them? I see...


    I'd call €3.3m a year before any profit or rent is added a cash cow. The vast majority of services are poor because we already have them or else we have to pay extra for them. Another bar, another shop, Societies, belfield FM and the newsparers already have space. The cinema is the only new service being provided that we didn't already have and the gym is replacing the only one.


    OneOfThem Stumbled wrote: »
    Oh man. You know, try swinging that by post-grads who have been paying the levy for the last few years who'll have to pay over €500 to use the pool and gym as opposed to the €0 you have to pay to use the gym, or €100 optional fee you can pay if you want to use the swimming pool. But, by your own admission, you won't be, so you don't have to pay that sum. :pac:

    Sorry for labouring the point, but one of the great advantages the new student centre will bring is the manner in which it will make UCD look more attractive and successful. It's a bit rich, then, for people who have been subsidised by previous students and the taxpayer to rubbish it online.


    I pay €188 to use the gym(add all the other service which I don't need), difference is I get no choice in that. I wish they'd make UCD look more attractive by prodiving a decent education an educational services instead of a bar and swimming pool. That's for another day though.


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    #87
    jan shyr
    Registered Users Posts: 67 ✭✭jan shyr


    Is there a page on UCD website about all the prices? And I mean all the prices for new building and the old building, gym, pool, use of hall space with a group/by yourself, etc.


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    #88
    WeeBushy
    Registered Users Posts: 3,572 ✭✭✭WeeBushy


    jan shyr wrote: »
    Is there a page on UCD website about all the prices? And I mean all the prices for new building and the old building, gym, pool, use of hall space with a group/by yourself, etc.

    There's this:
    http://www.ucd.ie/t4cms/Copy%20of%20sports_centre_price_list_2011.pdf

    The gym is included in the student levy and the pool is €4 payg or €100 for the year. Not sure if you can/what the price is for renting the studios in the new center. Think that covers most/all the sports facilities offered.

    EDIT: Reading back over the thread I realise I got the student levy fee wrong - €188, not €150 as I thought.


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    #89
    errlloyd
    Registered Users Posts: 12,611 ✭✭✭✭errlloyd


    WeeBushy wrote: »

    EDIT: Reading back over the thread I realise I got the student levy fee wrong - €188, not €150 as I thought.

    Not your fault, it rose 2 months ago and college press seemed to miss the story.


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    #90
    DL Saint
    Registered Users Posts: 501 ✭✭✭DL Saint


    Hi guys, quick question, are there any calve machines in the new gym? and is there a smyth machine?


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    #91
    WeeBushy
    Registered Users Posts: 3,572 ✭✭✭WeeBushy


    DL Saint wrote: »
    Hi guys, quick question, are there any calve machines in the new gym? and is there a smyth machine?

    No Smith machine, thankfully, and no calve machines I've seen (although I haven't looked at the various machines that closely) but there are certainly things with which you can do calf exercises.


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