Ranked No. 11 on the 25 Most Amazing Campus Recreation Centers, USF Campus Recreation sees thousands of students entering its facility daily. Whether it is to work out, check out equipment, go on a tour, get a bike fixed, or utilize another program area such as Sports Clubs or Intramurals, Campus Recreation has something for everyone. Even though this facility is available to USF students at no additional cost, as it is covered in their tuition and fees, there is an amazing amount of bellyaching from students: the ID scanner won't work, there aren't enough basketballs, the music is too loud or too quiet, my locker won't open, one room is too hot while the other is too cold, there aren't enough squat racks, and there are too many people. While quite a few of these complaints can't be controlled, the student staff and professional staff at Campus Recreation are dedicated to creating a positive experience for all at the gym and with that comes the times when we simply have to bite our tongues, when we wish we could just tell you why you're wrong. So here are some things that the student staff at Campus Recreation wished they could tell their patrons.
1. Swiping Your ID
What you tell us: "My ID doesn't scan, I think your scanner is broken".
What we hear: "I only attempted to swipe my ID once facing the wrong way and in the wrong direction, or not at all. I may even be trying to get in with an old or broken ID in the hopes that I won't get a strike on my account".
What we tell you: "Hold on while I open the gate for you, please come through and hand me your ID so I can type in your U#".
Side note: don't use your friends ID or U#, we will catch you and confiscate your ID
2. Reading Signs
What you ask us: "What are your holiday hours?"
What we hear: "Somehow I have made it to college but I failed to read signs posted on the front door, front desk and other various locations around the facility could you pretty please gift me with the knowledge that I could have easily read on all of those signs".
What we tell you: "Our holiday hours are ...".
3. Locker Assistance
What you tell us " My locker won't open", what we hear "I have either forgotten my four digit locker combination, I don't remember what locker I put my stuff in, or I have somehow managed to shove my entire duffle bag containing everything but my kitchen sink into this tiny locker".
What we tell you: "Okay, well let me try and help you with that".
What you tell us: "I don't remember which locker I put my stuff in".
What we hear: "I'm irresponsible enough to forget where I left my wallet, car keys, and cell phone. Could you please use your x-ray vision to scan these lockers and find my stuff?"
What we tell you: "Well can you describe to me what is in your locker, then I can start opening some".
4. Fitness
What you ask us: "Can I get a spot?"
What we want to tell you: "You're joking, right? There is no way you are lifting THAT. Well tell my mom I love her because I'm about to break my back getting this off of you".
What we tell you: "Yeah, sure no problem"
5. Intramurals
What you ask us: "Can I play without my student ID?"
What we hear: "I have managed to forget the ONE thing I need to play intramurals, can you please make an exception to the rule this one time so I don't have to walk all the way back to my car to get my ID?"
What we actually tell you: "I'm sorry it is a a Campus Recreation policy that you have your ID in order to participate".
What you proceed to tell us: "Well the supervisor last week let me do it"
What we want to tell you: "No they didn't you dirty, little liar, now be gone before I ban you from all Intramural sports".
What we tell you: "I'm sorry it's a rule I can't break".
6. Aquatics
Apparently they don't have any "probs."
7. Outdoor Recreation
What you tell us: "Look at back tire"
What we do: look at back tire.
6. Sport Clubs
What you ask us: "Is this where I come to find out when varsity soccer tryouts are".
What we hear: "I am the best soccer player the world has ever seen, but I have yet to be recruited or even contacted by the coach at USF. I also don't know how to use the internet to google their phone number so I'm here because I was already at the gym and the wall outside of your office says sports".
What we tell you: "This is sports clubs, we are not affiliated with USF Varsity Athletics, but let me look up the information you need for you".
I think it is safe to say that student employees in any department around campus experience these same types of issues, the ones that cause you to roll your eyes in the moment but usually end with a good chuckle with your coworkers later on. Regardless of how many times a day these scenarios occur, we love what we do and are always committed to providing our patrons with the best customer service possible. It is a wonderful environment to work in and a great place to develop as a professional plus knowing our patrons are able to enjoy the facilities make it all worthwhile.
For more funny Campus Rec problems check out our end of the year banquet video on YouTube!
