I agree with Elizabeth Higgins' Oct. 18 Viewpoint, "Students have right to socialize at Rec," on one point — there is a problem at the Rec Center. We disagree on what the problem is exactly. I do not have a problem with students socializing at the Rec Center and I strongly encourage students to take a break from studying and find some time to exercise.

The problem is that people let their socializing interrupt other people's workouts. If you want to socialize, that's great. But don't get in the way of people who are trying to get a workout done with a limited amount of time. I am a speed skater and I weight lift at the Rec Center two or three times a week. As the daughter of alumni, I have been lifting at the Rec Center for the last four years. When people socialize, what they don't realize is that they are being extremely inconsiderate to others using the Rec Center. I have seen students stand and socialize at one machine for twenty minutes. I wait patiently for them to be finished, but after a long period of time without the machine being used for its actual purpose I have to ask them if they are done using the machine. I receive a very cold response as if it is I who am causing the problem. This is when I have a problem with students socializing at the Rec Center.

I have seen the boys lifting improperly. As an athlete I know what physical harm can occur as a result of improper lifting. The fact that someone like Matt Bajt (whose Oct. 11 Viewpoint pointed out weight room taboos) is trying to help them should be applauded. Not everyone has to be a body builder and not everyone should be, but if they are lifting improperly they can do permanent damage to their bodies.

If students are intimidated by other students doing serious workouts at the Rec Center, that is something they need to address within themselves. I am sure that Mr. Bajt is not intentionally intimidating. He is not stopping you from coming to the Rec Center to workout or socialize. The Rec Center can certainly be a place to socialize and workout, but people need to be respectful to everyone using the facility.

This viewpoint was published in The Marquette Tribune on October 25, 2005.