Student Senate met November 30 to discuss and affirm the Legends Center Dress Code Committee’s proposed dress code. Director of Budgeting, Financial Planning and Analysis Andrew Bailey (‘08) also joined the meeting to discuss the new Campus Master Plan.
The Legend Center Dress Code Ad Hoc Committee is made up of Senate Vice President Natalie Neff (‘24), Secretary Hannah Roesler (‘25), Senior Class Representative Kiley Nolan (‘24), Baker Village Representative Madelynn Liston (‘24) and Diversity Representative for Gender and Sexuality Cristian Chavez (‘24). The committee is advocating for changes to be made to the dress code for the Legends Fitness for Life Center, the weight training facility in the Regents Center.
Following an October 23 meeting between the committee, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Renae Hartl and Associate Director of Athletics Adam Carpenter, in which the reasoning for the dress code clause requiring shirts with sleeves was revealed to be the prevention of mRSA and other skin diseases, the committee examined five articles disproving this concern and 116 other collegiate fitness center dress codes. 111 of the college and university dress codes they examined allowed the wearing of tank tops in their athletic facilities, only two dress codes prohibited tank tops and three dress codes were “unclear.”
According to Neff, as of December 1, administration has decided to not review the proposal until mid-January when “they will discuss [it] with Division III and American Rivers Conference peers at the NCAA convention.”
The current dress code for the Legends Center, which has been in effect since 2000, states that all users of Legends “must wear a full tee shirt with sleeves.” Any skin contact with upholstery of strength or cardio equipment is prohibited. The committee’s proposed dress code states that “clothing worn should provide adequate coverage for nipples, buttocks and groin throughout any movement to maintain a respectful environment” and that “sports bras are not allowed as standalone tops.”
This change in language would allow facility users to wear sleeveless tops into and while working out in the Legends Center. Neff motioned to affirm the language, and Roesler seconded the motion. The General Senate voted to affirm the motion. By affirming the motion, the proposed dress code became backed by Student Senate. Roesler explained what the next steps for this proposed dress code are.
“We are sending an email from Student Senate’s account to administration with this proposal saying that it is backed by Student Senate,” Roesler said. “We’ll give them two weeks to respond to us, then we’ll come back and let [senators] know what they said.”
Following the affirmation of the proposed dress code, Bailey was given the floor to explain the new Campus Master Plan. Bailey explained the master plan as a comprehensive plan of what the college would like to accomplish in the coming years.
“[The Campus Master Plan] is at the 30,000 foot level,” Bailey said. “It’s a collection of ideas that we want to pursue. As we begin pursuing any individual idea, then we get a lot more detailed. We haven’t made any final decisions about what anything is going to look like. As we dig into any individual component of it, that’s when more comprehensive programming and designs are developed.”
The last master plan was created in 1988. Bailey claims that this new plan isn’t about building new buildings but about utilizing the preexisting spaces better. Four themes inform the decisions made by administration: “optimization of space, student success, student life and legacy identity.”
Bailey explained that the plan will happen in rounds. Round One includes things that administration would like to get moving as soon as possible, including the Regents Center renovation, the renovation of and addition to Preus Library and the renovation of Main Building.
Classroom upgrades have already begun in Main 112 and Olin 112. Bailey explained that the classroom changes were informed by a space utilization study that found that Luther has more classrooms than it needs and more 30-39 occupant classrooms than it needs.
As was done in Main 112 and Olin 112, the planned upgrades include new technology and a decrease in capacity from 39 students to 29.
The planned Regents Center Renovation includes “sprucing up” of current facilities, the reallocation of space and the renaming of the center to the Gerdin Field House For Athletics and Wellness. The gymnasium will be renovated and arena-style seating will be added. Additionally, each team will get their own locker room space with shared showers.
For the Preus library renovation and addition, Luther has recently sent out requests for proposals (RFP) to various architecture and construction firms for aid in developing a design. Currently no RFP has been sent out regarding the Main Building.
Round Two, which is slated to happen in the next six to 10 years, is the construction of a connector building between the Dahl Centennial Union and the Regents Center that will increase accessibility between upper and lower campus. Renovations to the Dahl Centennial Union are also planned as a part of this round.
Additionally, the college eventually plans to restore Larsen Hall and construct a gathering space by the College Barn. Student Support Representative and Luther Disability Alliance President Linnea Johnson Nordqvist (‘24) asked Bailey how the plan prioritizes accessibility and inclusion beyond just adding ramps to buildings. Bailey highlighted aspects of the Regents Center renovation in his response.
“A lot [of accessibility planning] happens in the program and design stage of the process,” Bailey said. “The Regents Center is a good example of that. [There is a] space that we have envisioned for a locker room for recreational use, faculty/staff use, visitor use, that will feature a bunch of cubbies and lockers. Around that area, there will be, with doors, individual showers and toilets. Everyone would use that one space, regardless of gender. It would be inclusive to everyone all in one space.”
Student Senate will meet again on December 7 at 9:45 a.m. in the Mott Room of the Dahl Centennial Union.
