Computer Malfunction Leads to Turning Away of Students At University Recreation Center

Club Industry reports that according to the University of Florida's student-owned newspaper, The Independent Florida Alligator, on Jan. 25, approximately 200 University of Florida students were turned away at campus recreation centers. The university's registrar's office incorrectly listed the students as ineligible for membership to the university RecSports center.

The RecSports coordinator for technology, assessment, and membership services said the registrar's office determines gym membership eligibility, and students who were not registered as full-time students or had not paid their tuition were therefore not eligible to exercise at the gym.

Problems arose when eligible students such as 20-year-old pre-nursing sophomore Barbara Cadet were incorrectly flagged as not eligible. Cadet, a full-time student, was allowed into the gym but first had to speak with center officials regarding her eligibility.

According to the newspaper, an employee informed Cadet that the computer system may have not processed or incorrectly processed her schedule changes, which made her a part-time student.

RecSports has fixed membership problems for 210 students as of Jan. 25, and students can once again access the gym.

Associate University Registrar Mary Ann Hagler said her office does not have a history of these errors in membership and she was unaware that they had occurred, the newspaper reported.

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