Scroll: Hart to Start Charging for Clothing Rentals

Note: Every week I have an article published in the Scroll, a newspaper on the BYU-Idaho campus.  The following is one of those articles.

Starting this fall semester, John W. Hart Building patrons will be charged for clothing rentals, according to a university announcement made last week. 

The new fees are designed, in part, to help alleviate the rising costs of providing laundering for clothes. 

"The rise in cost is attributed to many things: rising student wages, energy costs, soap cost and more,” said Justin Garner, the activities director.

“There’s one thing we want to be very clear with the change: this is not a building fee,” Garner said. “This is explicitly to help cover the cost of laundering clothes.” 

There will continue to be no charge for use of the facilities.

Garner also said that while the school does not charge for the use of the building, the majority of other universities do. 
   

Read on after the break...

  “When we toured many different universities, we found that most charge over $100 a semester just for the use of the building,” Garner said.
     Some students have mixed opinions about the change. 
     “I think they should add the cost in to our tuition. I know some of my friends who have said they aren’t going to come to the Hart anymore to exercise,” said Sierra Hazard, a freshman studying exercise physiology.
     In spite of the extra expenditure, there are some who understand the reasons for the cost.
     “I would say that it is legit if it is truly associated with those rising costs. I guess it would make for a smarter use of those tithing funds,” said Lloyd Lee, a senior studying exercise science.
     Rental cost for students will be a $15 fee per semester. 
     Costs for faculty will be $20 per semester or $50 per year. 
     Any patron, including guests, who wish to use the facilities for a day will    be charged $6.  
     There will be no increase in semester-long locker rental fees.  
     Daily use of lockers will be provided at no charge.
     The University Store will also start providing a discount of 15 percent on approved clothing.  
     This discount will only be available through the add/drop period at the beginning of a semester. 
     The Activities Department and the University Store is working on expanding the approved clothing options available to students. 
     This will include moisture management wear, as well as hoodies, long-sleeved t-shirts, zip-up jackets and sweat pants. 
     Garner said that they are working with distributors on getting these available as soon as possible but are unsure when that will be.