Save the MAC

On September 19, Harvard University first made public its plans for renovating the Malkin Athletic Center (MAC). According to the information released by the University, this renovation would lead to a complete shutdown of the facilities and programs at the MAC from early 2007 into at least September of the same year. This disruption has a number of serious implications, including but not limited to the following:

-Students who depended on the MAC for daily workouts will likely find unaccommodating hours and limited space at other venues. Alternative facilities like Hemenway or House Gyms are simply insufficient to handle the volume of exercise, sport, and other activities that will be displaced.

-Students who enjoyed intramural activities will find that their favorite events have been canceled or significantly reduced. Women will have a particularly difficult time getting involved in intramurals, as the only all-women leagues have been canceled entirely.

-Special classes such as aerobics, yoga, or pilates will be eliminated or severely reduced.

-Many student groups, including dance programs and martial arts groups, will lose their best and most convenient practice facilities.

-Work study and other students who depended on jobs at the MAC will need to find jobs elsewhere.

-Many Varsity and Junior Varsity teams practice and play games at the MAC, meaning that an additional strain will be placed on existing facilities across the river, reducing opportunities for general student use of such facilities.

It is essential that all stakeholders in such a decision be brought to the table before moving forward. While we congratulate the University on taking the initiative to expand and improve the facilities made available to us, we are disappointed in the route employed and would appreciate further dialogue on the subject.

We call upon the University to engage the student body in this serious discussion and to pursue alternative plans for renovation that may be less disruptive and damaging to student life and well-being.