Columbia College is negotiating a deal to restore student access to East-West University’s gym facilities. Interim President Jerry Tarrer announced the potential agreement during a pre-recorded interview for WCRX’s annual Holly Jolly broadcast, as the Chronicle reported this week.

Tarrer said the deal should be done by January, meaning Columbia’s sports teams and clubs could have access to indoor practice space again by the time the spring semester starts.

This would be a much-needed boost for the student experience, which has been taking hits all semester, first with the closure of the in-person Health Center and most recently with a rocky registration week.

Tarrer, who stepped into his interim role in July after former President Kwang-Wu Kim left, has made visible efforts to connect with the campus community, even as he oversees budget cuts and sweeping changes recommended by Kim and approved by the Board of Trustees. His attendance at events and collaborations with student organizations like WCRX demonstrate his willingness to engage, and the East-West gym negotiation signals an important step in addressing student concerns.

This should be the beginning of a broader commitment to communicate and listen to students.

Kim held office hours for students, creating a direct line of communication between students and his office. Although spots were limited and often filled quickly, it gave students the opportunity to take their concerns directly to the president.

We urge Tarrer to reinstate this practice and adopt more transparency as the college navigates its financial challenges.

Building these connections can transform student feedback into actionable solutions, reinforcing the college’s commitment to its creative community.

Additionally, Tarrer’s emphasis on fundraising, including initiatives like the annual gala, reflects a dedication to balancing financial constraints with student worth in mind. However, with tuition increases of 5% for returning students and 10% for incoming students set for Fall 2025, students deserve reassurance that these funds will directly enhance their experience. We do appreciate that before sending an email to the campus community, Tarrer shared the tuition increase first with the Student Government Association. That was appropriate, and we hope Tarrer will consider delivering news like this directly to students again in the future. 

Restoring gym access is a positive move, but it should be part of a larger investment and conversation in resources that support both academic and extracurricular growth. 

If the college wants to retain students and attract new ones, it has to remain focused on the student experience. It has to talk honestly about how the budget impacts are impacting campus life, including for students and the faculty and staff who support them.

Let’s celebrate this step forward while advocating for continued progress because even the small wins bring us closer to the community we envision.

Copy edited by Doreen Abril Albuerne Rodriguez