Students exercise in the UTSA Campus Recreation.
SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 — This fall, students return to the Student Union and Campus Recreation. Both gathering places now boast improvements to key areas—ensuring that UTSA students have quality spaces where they can eat, relax, study, and make the connections that are pivotal to UTSA’s commitment to student success and wellbeing.
The Student Union, which is comprised of three buildings, is a welcoming space that provides events, offices for campus resources and organizations, study rooms, the Rowdy Campus Store—the university bookstore—the Whataburger Resource Room and multiple dining and retail venues.
Campus Recreation provides inclusive facilities and programs that enhance the health and wellbeing of the Roadrunner community. ‘Runners have two locations to choose from: the Recreation Wellness Center on the Main Campus and the Downtown Fitness Center in the Frio Street Building on the Downtown Campus. Recreation and fitness programs include group exercise, intramural and club sports, and outdoor adventures.
The Student Union renovations took place while the university was conducting remote operations and over this past summer to better serve students, faculty, staff and guests. Upgrades were made to the ballrooms, the furniture in the meeting rooms and to the technology infrastructure—while Campus Services revamped the food court. Restroom renovations included the addition of gender-neutral and family restrooms in the H-E-B Student Union building. Visitors to the space will also find a lactation room that can be accessed by visiting the Information Desk on the first floor.
Throughout the Student Union, students will find spaces focused on creating a sense of belonging on campus. Guests can enjoy the Multicultural Center for Equity and Justice’s student lounge, which provides programming space and comfortable rest areas for all students. The Meditation Room has yoga mats, prayer rugs and ablution stations for student use. The Student Union is also home to the Roost Game Room, which is stocked with popular video games, billiards, air hockey and more. And students who want to get involved in campus life will find many of their favorite student organizations in offices throughout the building.
Campus Recreation underwent a full-scale renovation of its first-floor weight room facility. Initially constructed in 2007, this section received 18,000 square feet of new rubber and turf flooring.
Additionally, new equipment from leading manufacturers like Precor, Sorinex, Power Lift, Eleiko and Escape was installed. With the renovations complete, the weight room now offers plenty of space for participants to work out at their comfort and ability level. It also has a more efficient footprint that allows for more bars and cables to safely move at one time.
Three all-gender bathrooms have been added to the main hallway of the wellness center. Designed to offer more privacy as an alternative to the locker rooms, each bathroom is equipped with a shower, toilet and sink.
Campus Rec has been planning these additions since 2019 and is excited for them to open in early September. These bathrooms will give participants another option, so they do not have to choose a restroom or changing space that does not align with their gender identity. They also offer a safe space to anyone who does not feel comfortable in the regular locker room setting. While the facility has long designated the locker rooms as inclusive spaces, these new bathrooms will encourage a sense of belonging for all ‘Runners.
— Nichole Lantis and Madison Cowles
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