Columbia student clubs using the East-West University gym have shorter practice times this semester after the university increased its rental costs.
Organizations that use the gym at 829 S. Wabash in the South Loop are adjusting their practice times after Columbia lost access to the gym after 9 p.m. Student clubs previously shared two-hour practice slots until 10 p.m.
“This year East-West had told us they were raising their prices,” Charles said. “In order to be able to accommodate still having the space, we had to look at the times that there was the least amount of sign-in.”
Charles said SOC had to collect availability from the athletic organizations that use the gym and resolve scheduling conflicts because many groups wanted similar times. The new schedule was sent to organization leaders last week.
Some organizations said the shorter practice blocks will require adjustments.
Avery Hall, a senior graphic design major and board member of the Columbia Cosmos volleyball team, said the team previously practiced twice a week for about two hours at a time starting at 6 p.m. Practice now ends at 7:30 p.m.
Hall said some volleyball members have classes until 6:20 p.m., meaning they could arrive late to an already shortened practice.
“They only really get an hour in the gym, because then we have to clean up the nets and everything all before 7:30,” Hall said.
The Galahad Medieval Combat Society will also have two 90-minute practice periods each week.
Bronwyn Russell, a junior photojournalism major and one of the group’s co-captains, said its practices normally require at least two hours because leaders teach fighting techniques and equipment safety before participating.
“Two hours is about the minimum amount of time we can get that done in,” Russell said. “The gym cuts do definitely affect us.”
Columbia students had used the East-West gym for years before losing access to the facility in October 2024 amid the college’s financial difficulties, as the Chronicle previously reported. Students regained access a month later after the college renegotiated its agreement with East-West.
SOC determined that the 9 to 10 p.m. period had the lowest recorded usage. To continue accommodating two organizations each evening, SOC divided those three hours into two 90-minute practice blocks.
Charles said students may have been using the gym after 9 p.m., but SOC did not have enough sign-in data to demonstrate that.
“This is kind of a good example of why signing in is so important because we didn’t have as much sign-ins for that time,” Charles said.
He encouraged students to complete sign-in sheets whenever they use the facility so SOC has attendance numbers when negotiating future access with East-West.
Windy Vang, a junior game design major and president of Columbia’s soccer club, said the organization plans to supplement its gym access by using outdoor fields and hosting more community-based events.
“I was kind of sad about it because the only day that we have is Sunday,” Vang said. “I wanted to have two days that’s spread out so students can be able to use the gym instead of just one day.”
Copy edited by Antonio Chaves
