Dillon Gym is changing. The gym, first opened in 1947, has seen everything from the advent of group spin classes to a newly-renovated fitness center in the past three years.
In March, another change was implemented — a new policy which requires front desk staff to swipe student IDs on a scanner behind the desk. The change was partially motivated by security concerns, but it also marks a shift towards a bigger, more community-focused gym as Dillon approaches the opening of a new fitness pavilion and lobby in the fall.
Previously, a scanner that was prominently displayed on the front of the desk enabled patrons to quickly swipe into the gym themselves, a system which sometimes created security issues.
Oliwia Morska ’24, who works as a student building supervisor at Dillon, wrote in a message to The Daily Princetonian that the building has “had a historical problem of people skipping by the card scanner” upon entering. For “safety and security reasons,” Morska wrote, the gym has updated its check-in policy and also now requires staff to directly give group fitness room keys to instructors after verifying that the keys are needed for “confirmed” events or reservations.
One student employee, Carolina Pavlik ’26, told the ‘Prince’ that although the change was communicated to staff, some employees were not convinced by the new policy’s necessity. She added that she’s also heard some complaints from gym patrons who have found the new system to be “annoying” and “don’t understand why it’s necessary.”
In terms of changing staff responsibilities, Pavlik said the policy “just requires the staff to pay more attention to their job and also to greet people coming in.”
Previous ‘Prince’ reporting has found that some student employees appreciate front desk jobs because they often leave time for students to complete schoolwork while working the desk.
“I think a lot of people joined because it was a more relaxed job and the increased interaction and more student forward management will definitely increase the workload,” Pavlik noted.
The shift towards “a more active role at the front desk” is a part of “incentivizing staff to say hello to patrons [and] not bury themselves in their devices/books” while working, Morska wrote. Morska specifically tied this adjustment to Dillon’s ongoing expansion.
“Next fall, there will be a brand-new lobby with an increasing amount of staff-patron interaction,” she said. For example, she said, “three staff will be scheduled at the front desk, but there will only be [two] chairs.”
Jessica Ward, senior associate director of athletics for Campus Rec, told the ‘Prince’ in January that the new developments to the gym are intended promote a more inclusive and welcoming environment. Campus Rec is hoping to foster a “community center feel,” she said, as opposed to a space that feels particularly “gym-ish.”
As Morska put it, “CampusRec is growing.”
Annie Rupertus is a head News editor for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
Read More
Demystifying computational neuropsychiatry: A deep dive into mental health research and resources with Professor Yael Niv
Aanya Kasera and Senna AldouboshHow do computational processes help us understand mental health disorders and precisely tailor treatments to each individual? In this episode of Brains, Black Holes, and Beyond, Aanya Kasera sits down with Dr. Yael Niv, a professor and researcher in the Princeton Neuroscience Institute to learn more about computational neuropsychiatry and mental health on campus. Dr. Niv discusses her research in quantifying psychological disorders and her advice for the campus community on improving mental well-being.
How do computational processes help us understand mental health disorders and precisely tailor treatments to each individual? In this episode of Brains, Black Holes, and Beyond, Aanya Kasera sits down with Dr. Yael Niv, a professor and researcher in the Princeton Neuroscience Institute to learn more about computational neuropsychiatry and mental health on campus. Dr. Niv discusses her research in quantifying psychological disorders and her advice for the campus community on improving mental well-being.
Campus pub divides USG presidential candidates in debate
Nico David-Fox and Laila Hartman-SigallThe 2024 USG presidential candidates Enzo Kho ’26, current USG social chair, and Uma Fox ’26, current USG treasurer, participated in a debate hosted by the Whig-Cliosophic Society and The Daily Princetonian.
The 2024 USG presidential candidates Enzo Kho ’26, current USG social chair, and Uma Fox ’26, current USG treasurer, participated in the annual debate hosted by the Whig-Cliosophic Society and The Daily Princetonian.
‘How to Prosecute Genocide?’ panel hosted by Liechtenstein Institute for Self-Determination
Leela HenslerProfessor Luis Moreno Ocampo, the first chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and Anoush Baghdassarian, who currently serves as a clerk on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals, discussed the ICC’s role in securing justice for victims of genocide on a global scale at a Liechtenstein Institute for Self-Determination (LISD) panel.
Professor Luis Moreno Ocampo, the first chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and Anoush Baghdassarian, who currently serves as a clerk on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals, discussed the ICC’s role in securing justice for victims of genocide on a global scale at a Lichtenstein Institute for Self-Determination (LISD) panel.
