The Student Recreation and Wellness Center, commonly known as the rec, has introduced new guest policies this semester to enhance safety and simplify guest access.
The updates, which primarily limit each member to sponsoring just one guest at a time and require all guests to present valid identification, are intended to provide a more secure environment for all users.
Brooke Easum, senior forensic investigations major and three-year SRWC employee, outlined the basic requirements for guests.
“Guests need their sponsor, a valid ID proving they’re 18 or older and some form of payment—whether it’s a card, cash or even a check,” Easum said.
She emphasized that this semester marks a significant change, as members are now only allowed to sponsor one guest, a reduction from the previous two.
“It’s easier to keep track and manage everything with just one guest per member,” she said.
Emma Bluml, senior psychology major and longtime SRWC employee, highlighted the importance of understanding and following the facility’s policies.
“First and foremost, it’s about safety,” Bluml said. “If you follow the policies, you get to use everything—the sauna, massage chairs, group exercise classes, and even in-body scans, which are expensive outside of college. These amenities are really valuable, and we want everyone to have access to them by respecting the rules.”
Whitney Slater, SRWC director, provided insight into the rationale behind the new policies.
“The changes are designed to ensure that we know exactly who is in our facility at all times,” Slater said. “By requiring IDs and limiting guests, we’ve added an extra layer of security. So far, the response has been positive, with guests and members adapting to the new process.”
Slater also explained that while the decision to update the policies originated with the rec’s professional staff, it was implemented with the support of Washburn’s administration.
“We worked closely with Student Life and our associate vice president, Dr. Teresa L. Clounch, to make sure the changes aligned with the university’s goals,” Slater said.
In addition to the ID requirement and guest limit, Slater noted that guests must be at least 18 years old and are restricted from certain activities, such as rock climbing and participating in group fitness classes.
“Guests can come in, work out and use our gym areas, but some amenities are reserved for our members,” she said. “This is to maintain a quality experience for our Washburn community.”
The new guest policies are part of the rec’s ongoing commitment to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all.
“We want our members to have the option to bring in a guest and enjoy their time here,” Slater said. “But it’s equally important that we protect the experience for our students, faculty and staff.”
As the semester progresses, SRWC staff are hopeful these changes will lead to a more secure and enjoyable environment for everyone. Easum, Bluml and Slater all expressed confidence that the new policies will contribute positively to the overall atmosphere at the rec.
Edited by Jeremy Ford and Morgan Albrecht
