A job fair was held in the Batten Center on Oct. 4, from 10 am to 2 pm, and Oct. 5, from 12 noon to 4 pm. There were over 105 applicants for positions such as life guards, building supervisors, HUB staff, events staff, wall climbing staff, office assistants, aerobic instructors, fitness room staff, and an intramural staff. "I never dreamed there would be so many people," said Lina Cottingham. "I was very impressed!" Each individual was required to fill out an application. The application asked you to answer a number of questions such as GPA, major, qualifications or certification expiration dates. You are even required to list three references, one being from this campus, and are asked the reason you want to work at the Batten Center. Your activities and the amount of time you spend with them is also part of the information asked. Previous work experience is also necessary when applying.

The students who are hired will be referred to as STARS, or Students Teams Aquatics Recreation Staff. Cottingham stated that there are very high expectations of the students who get hired for each position. The competition is very tight in that there are only 50-75 spots available. You will not be able to work out during your time at work, however, schoolwork is permitted as long as it doesn’t interfere with the job. Work schedules will be based upon your class schedule and extra-curricular activities. The students will not set their own schedules. It will be done by the full time STARS. There will be training sessions and staff meetings that will be required to attend. "Your work attendance will be imperative to the success of the Batten Center." In addition to these policies, there will be a ‘BC STARS’ manual that all STARS will be required to read and sign. The manual will outline in detail the discipline process, scheduling process, dress code and other important issues. All STARS will be required to wear a STARS shirt or swim wear. There will be a very distinct dress code that must be adhered to. Khaki or blue pants or shorts will be worn while at work and no hats will be allowed. Chewing gum and tobacco products will not be permitted in the building.
The Batten Center Hours are as follows: Monday through Thursday - 6:30 am to 12:00 pm, Friday 6:30 am to 8:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, and Sunday - 12:00 am to 11:00 pm.

There is a lot of free time for college students, between classes, eating, sleeping and procrastinating. What is a better way to pass the time than get a stripper? That is just what some students on campus decided to do. As a birthday present for a friend, junior Rebecca Gurzo watched a male stripper this year. Being that the stripper was a friend of a friend, the ten people that watched only had to pay $10. Also, the stripper came alone. Since it was through a friend; he had nothing to worry about. In this case, the stripper had no rules for the girls to follow. "It is different with male strippers," said Gurzo. "They don’t need a body guard for a bunch of girls." The girls did not get in any trouble for having a stripper on campus. The resident assistant of their hall was aware that the stripper was there. Gurzo and the other girls, live in a suite and they made sure that everyone was comfortable with the stripper being there.

"If you don’t like it, then you don’t have to be there," said Gurzo. "As long as everyone agrees, then it is OK." The girls that attended this party had a great time. "We got him to embarrass our friend," said Gurzo. "We really accomplished our goal!" Another case of a stripper being on campus did not turn out as well. Freshman Tom Shelton watched a stripper with seven of his friends. This stripper cost $100 per hour. At the time the stripper was here, the boys had no worries of getting in trouble. "The female stripper had a bodyguard with her that just sat and watched," Shelton said. "It was very low key. The only rules were not to touch her or take pictures." They did not get clearance with their RA or other residents of their hall. One of their hallmates was uncomfortable with the situation and notified Residence Life. Shelton said the experience was not the best, and he does not plan to get another stripper any time soon.

There is no rule in the Student Handbook against having a stripper on campus. "It is a policy violation to have adult entertainers," said Residence Life staff member Ryan Brown. "There is no rule against murder either." But murder is a crime, having a stripper is not. Brown calls having a stripper on campus unwanted behavior. With that unwanted behavior, he believes that alcohol and narcotics are usually involved. I can’t think of anything more degrading to women than to have people feed them money while they strip," said Brown. "Personally and professionally, I don’t value it." He also feels that there is a difference between having a naked woman in a dorm room with a bunch of drunk guys and the nude art displayed on campus. Brown feels that no matter what the case may be, someone always comes forward. "Someone always sees you," Brown said.

He urges anyone that feels offended by anything on campus to go to Residence Life to talk in private.Since there is no rule in against strippers in the handbook, no action can really be taken. If there is alcohol or other substances involved, the case can go through the arbitration process. Brown said that one case of a stripper on campus was brought to his attention and dealt with accordingly. "We acknowledged that it happened, and the people involved were addressed." Knowing that the college does not agree with strippers on campus, Gurzo is not worried. "I would do it again."

What began as a one-time hall program has evolved into a weekly activity. Sept. 20th, Sherri Shumate, the RA on first floor Johnston, and Katy Roth, the RA on second floor Gum, co-sponsored a Cardio-kickboxing hall program. Cardio-kickboxing is a form of kickboxing made into a high-impact aerobic workout. It is very similar to the recent fad of home workout tapes marketed by Billy Blanks, called Tae-Bo. Through repetitive series of jumping, punching, and kicking, Cardio-kickboxing will definitely get you to break a sweat. About 15 people attended the first class. "It originally started as a hall program requirement for my RA job. However, the turnout was good and the enthusiasm was great so we decided to have a class every week," said Shumate. "I’ve always been really interested in health and fitness. Recently, I’ve been taking aerobic kickboxing. I thought it might be something other VWC students would enjoy as well." Meagan Oare has been a regular attendee of Sherri’s kickboxing class. "I used to take kickboxing and karate to stay in shape. I like Cardio-kickboxing because it’s a more demanding workout than just running. It would be great to have it more often on campus."

"Right now we have a running list of over 20 people who have been to one or more sessions, and we have new people almost every week," said Shumate. "I’d like to see the class continue to grow. I’m hoping we’ll eventually be able to meet several times per week, possibly in the Batten Center when it opens." So every Thursday night at 7:30, VWC students will be sweating off fast-food to a wide variety of popular music, under the instruction of Sherri Shumate. Want to join them? Cardio-kickboxing is usually held in Village II Commons, however because of scheduling conflicts, the site may vary. If you are interested in participating, email Sherri at slshumate@vwc.edu, and she will put you on her emailing list.