Stony Brook University’s Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Senate convened on Thursday, Nov. 7 to discuss the potential addition of an outdoor fitness court on campus, inspired by the FitCourt outdoor fitness area at Binghamton University. 

The proposal, which generated a lively debate, reflects an ongoing effort from USG to promote wellness among the student body and provide safe outdoor fitness options. However, it also raised questions about cost, safety and practicality.

The idea for the outdoor fitness court, designed to encourage bodyweight exercises and other physical activities, has been championed as a post-COVID-19 initiative for its potential mental and physical health benefits. The FitCourt at Binghamton University “features seven training zones and over 30 pieces of body-weight equipment to deliver a functional, full-body workout.”

Several Senators highlighted the fitness court’s potential to increase campus activity and serve as a resource for stress relief.

“I think it’s a great thing for mental health. Working out outdoors would be phenomenal,” at-large Senator Christian Jean-Pierre said. 

Despite these possible advantages, several attendees voiced concerns about student interest and long-term engagement. Citing underuse of past outdoor fitness initiatives, some questioned whether students would consistently utilize the new facility, especially given colder weather limitations. 

“I don’t know how many people would actually use this. Outdoor fitness concepts I’ve seen in other places just haven’t been utilized; they end up empty and just kind of sitting there,” USG President Nistha Boghra said. 

Safety and liability issues also figured into the discussion. 

“As a parent, my concern is definitely safety,” Yessenia Flores, the director of administration and operations at USG, said. “[The proposal] says there’s nobody patrolling the area, and it’s just being monitored by cameras.”

The court’s open access could pose a risk for unsupervised use, particularly if unauthorized individuals or minors frequented the space. Legal liabilities, potential injuries and insurance implications were emphasized as critical concerns that need further investigation.

Boghra suggested assessing Binghamton University’s data to understand usage patterns and safety incidents in a similar setting.

“I think it’d be helpful to bring a more diverse group together for input, rather than just a small group. That way, we can get broader feedback on what students actually want,” Boghra said.

Several Senators suggested reallocating resources toward implementing and later expanding a skate park, a project that has shown high student interest, or explore alternative wellness programs.

USG Executive Vice President Ray Chen reminded the Senate that a skate park is in the works and that further debate about the skate park’s importance is unnecessary.

The conversation about the outdoor fitness court was tabled with promises to gather data from Binghamton University and conduct a follow-up meeting in two weeks. The committee will also evaluate liability and explore possible additions such as rock climbing to create a versatile outdoor space.

The conversation then turned to the Office of University Affairs’ monthly report for October. With topics ranging from immigration support and academic policy reviews to campus unity initiatives, the office’s latest session underscored its commitment to enhancing all facets of student life.

Vice President of University Affairs Sarah Elbaroudy presented the main achievements and objectives of the committee. One of the primary focal points was the ongoing review of the retake policy and Grade/Pass/No Credit option (G/P/NC). 

“We’re beginning our research on the current G/P/NC policy … and looking into G/P/NC policies at other universities and [seeing] what kind of first-year student retention programs they have,” Elbaroudy said. 

The group is in the final stages of solidifying the language for the retake policy bulletin and plans to present it to the University Senate Executive Committee in the upcoming weeks.

The office also highlighted collaborative initiatives with SUNY’s undocumented allies groups to improve access to financial aid for undocumented and immigrant students. Upcoming training sessions will offer financial aid guidance in both English and Spanish for current and prospective students. 

“We held a workshop on immigration options after graduation … with an immigration attorney who explained current immigration laws and post-graduation options for students,” Elbaroudy said. 

Nexus SBU aims to connect undergraduates with research opportunities, with ongoing work addressing intellectual property issues. Meanwhile, the Halal Food Options initiative is gathering student feedback on campus food, with plans to enhance accessibility and convenience.

Elbaroudy concluded with plans for a fireside chat with Interim President Richard L. McCormick on Monday, Nov. 25. This event will provide students with an opportunity to discuss key takeaways from the semester and upcoming projects with McCormick.

“We really enjoy the work we do and look forward to completing more projects throughout the rest of the semester,” Elbaroudy said. 

USG Chief Justice David Safo gave his monthly report for the month of October, calling attention to the need for a Senate representative on the judicial team to attend biweekly judicial meetings — an effort to maintain open communication with the legislative branch.

At-large Senators Richard Vatawat, Laiba Rajput, Ece Naz Durali and James Gill applied for the role. 

Candidates introduced themselves, highlighting their legal experience and commitment to judicial responsibilities.

“I feel like my experience in various committees and clubs prepares me well for handling responsibilities here,” Durali said. “I’m in [UNICEF at SBU], I’m a resident assistant; I’m usually preparing for various things.”

Durali was awarded the position after a divided vote from the Senate.

Correction Statements: The previous edition stated Division of University Affairs but this has since been corrected to Office of University Affairs. The initiatives was previously credited to the committee but has since been corrected to the Office of University Affairs. Previously, the article stated the “workshop on immigration options” was said have been held in collaboration with the Office of the Provost. However, this was deleted as the event has no ties to the Provost’s office. Next, the articled had “The office has a remaining budget of $9,000 for the semester, with funds allocated to projects such as creating an official website for Nexus SBU and the Hello Food Options survey.” This sentence has been deleted since the office does not have a budget nor funds those projects. Lastly, the “Hello Food Options” has been corrected to “Halal Food Options.”