Students will now have to swipe their Point Park University ID cards through a device to be permitted to use the Recreation Center in Lawrence Hall. Individuals who do not attend the school will have to find another facility to get in shape. This decision was necessary because people could come in from the street, work out for free and put the school at risk if there was a possible injury.

“Yes, I’ve witnessed faculty members point out non-Point Park students and asked them to leave the premises immediately,” Chris Unico, a sophomore film major said.

The Rec Center previously used a sign-in sheet at the front desk where students would fill out their name, the time and list their enrollment status (full-time, part-time or alumni), but that method was not effective. Individuals could easily use Point Park’s fitness facility by simply forging a false name, and the staff would be unaware.

Sam Kosanovich, head coach for the men’s basketball team and Rec Center manager, said that implementing a device to scan student ID cards was the best method to prevent “freeloaders” from using the school’s facilities.

“Having this ID scanner is a great way of identifying the student. It also protects the school from liability issues and holds the student accountable. This system informs the staff who the student is, what time he or she checked in, and what date he or she used the Rec Center. Also, the Rec Center should only be used by the faculty, alumni and approved students,” Kosanovich said.

Raysa Mateo, a senior accounting major and Rec Center staff member, said this was an excellent idea by the staff and management team to enforce this device.

“It keeps the non-students from roaming through the Rec Center, and it prevents them from injuring themselves, which can lead to an attempt to sue the university. Also, it prevents individuals from damaging our equipment,” Mateo said.