Campus Recreation Program

Min Kyo Seo

RST 110 B

Kristina Taylor

Figure 1: Union Front (Source: Illini Union Webpage)

In the campus of University of Illinois, there are several leisure services, such as CRCE, ARC, and the Illini Union. Considering about the recreation program, the Illini Union would be the one, while CRCE and ARC is rather more sports oriented. The Illini Union is basically commons for the whole school body, and it contains hotel rooms upstairs, café, computer lab, and multipurpose rooms on the first floor, and food court and recreation room downstairs. In the recreation room, there are TVs for watching sports, 14 bowling lanes, and 12 billiards tables. Also, they have some arcade machines and Xbox and Wii so that we can play games there. Overall, the Union is really the place for us to rest and relax.

Illini Union is located at the very northern part of the main Quad. However, considering of the whole campus, it is really at the center of the school campus. Students live near campus can always walk there, but there are several buses that stop at the Union; actually, almost every bus will stop at the Union, including the Transit Plaza. Illini Union offers many programs, activities, and services to students and school faculties so that it can satisfy the educational, social, and recreational need of school body. (Illini Union, 2004.)

Figure 2: Food Court (Source: Illini Union Webpage)

Illini Union is basically run by the school, and thus there are employment opportunities for students as part-time jobs at the recreation rooms, computer labs, etc. For the full-time enrollment or business matters, since the Union attracts many private businesses, such as Jamba Juice and Chick-fil-A, people can always start the business as the owner of such shops. Also, there are job opportunities as administrator and the manager of art gallery on the first floor.

Figure 3: Billiard Room (Source: Illini Union Webpage)

Figure 4: Bowling Lanes (Source: Illini Union Webpage)

In the recreation room at the downstairs of Illini Union, there are various kinds of events going on. On Tuesdays from 6 to 11:30 in the evening, there is “Red Pin Bowling,” where there is an opportunity of play free bowling game; Thursdays are “Manager’s Special” day of free bottle of water with snack purchase and “EA Sports Lounge” of free FIFA 10 playing. There are much more events held weekly, and these can also be checked online.

Mainly because Illini Union is at the center of the campus, this organization really benefits the whole school community. Also, since the Union provides features from convenient shop to art gallery, it is the perfect place to take a rest and relax for the students. Students can even take a nap at the South Lounge. Furthermore, for playing billiards and bowling, we can also get discounts with our i-Card shown; the discount rates are different for students and faculty members. This surely satisfies the needs of recreation in the college lives.

Figure 5: Computer Lab (Source: Illini Union Webpage)

Figure 6 (Source: Illini Union Webpage)

From the very first week I settled here last year, I frequently used the Union. I often took a nap when there were only 30 minute gap between my classes, had lunch downstairs, and got together with my friend and play billiards. I think it is a great place to be both as a customer and the worker. As customer, the place is very accessible in the campus, prices are reasonable, and it is good place to meet and get together. As one starting a career, Union is, as mentioned above, at the center of the campus, and the working condition doesn’t seem that harsh. Thus, as a leisure delivery organization, Illini Union would be the perfect match.

Work Cited

Illini Union, 2004, About the Union, Webpage: http://union.illinois.edu/about/Default.aspx

Figure 1, Illini Union, About the Union, http://union.illinois.edu/images/about/union_front.jpg

Figure 2, Illini Union, Food @ The Union, http://union.illinois.edu/images/food/food_court.jpg

Figure 3, Illini Union, Illini Union Rec Room http://union.illinois.edu/images/funspots/recroom/billiard_room.jpg

Figure 4, Illini Union, Illini Union Rec Room http://union.illinois.edu/images/funspots/recroom/bowling_lane.jpg

Figure 5, Illini Union, Computer Lab, http://union.illinois.edu/images/services/computer_lab/computer_lab.jpg

Figure 6, Illini Union, Human Resources, http://union.illinois.edu/images/services/hr/orange_shirts.jpg