Uni’s in an unusual circumstance of being forced into Kenney Gym from lack of space in the main building. Kenney Gym just so happens to be where the UIUC gymnasts practice, as well. When they practice upstairs, they create loud noises that disrupt the English class. However, the gymnasts were there first. The question gets raised: What are they supposed to do?
“It sounds like there is a hoard of elephants above the room,” says Dr. O’Brien, Uni English teacher. She said that many teachers have complained about them practicing, saying that it’s distracting and that it feels as if they are taking away from class time.
“I mean, it’s difficult with the nature of gymnastics,” says Julia Abel, the director of operations for men’s and women’s gymnastics. The gymnastics team was practicing there before English was being taught there, which is why they don’t think they are in the wrong. They rent out the space, which then leads them to be able to do whatever they choose to.
O’Brien suggested ways they could fix this. For example, she thinks that if they didn’t do floor routines during her classes, they wouldn’t be nearly as disruptive. Abel said, saying that some gymnasts have a floor routine as their only event, which would just be taking away valuable practice time from them.
“I think that the gymnasts are disruptive but however, we need to be understanding that they are practicing and they need to practice to get better at their sport,” says Ana Artz, student in the English class.