The WSU strategic hiring committee recently decided to eliminate the full time position of Assistant Director of Outdoor Recreation at the Outdoor Recreation Center (ORC). For those unfamiliar with the ORC, they host activities such as outdoor backpacking, rock climbing, kayaking, stand-up paddle-boarding, hiking trips and more.
If you’ve ever passed by the rock climbing wall in the student union, they are open from 4-8 p.m. on weekdays and completely free to students, averaging 30 students each evening.
“Within our department, it was decided that without an Assistant Director position to oversee the outdoor program, there could be no outdoor program. I also agree that there needs to be a full time staff position for the program to continue,” graduate assistant for the ORC Erin Sherrets said.
Students who use the ORC resources found about about the position cut at a recent SGA meeting and a group came together to discuss the impact the ORC has had on them both as students and as people. “They understand that this cut will greatly affect current and future students of Wright State. The group considers the ORC their home,” according to Sherrets.
“Because there is not a degree-route for Outdoor Education and Recreation at Wright State, the ORC is vital for those interested in pursuing a career in the Outdoor or Recreation Industry,” Sherrets said.
Sherrets also said student employees are provided with access “to be certified in Leave No Trace, American Canoe Association Kayaking, Adapted Paddling, and SUP, Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, Belay (for the rock wall), and facilitators for Challenge Courses.”
A petition created to save the assistant director position and circumstantially the ORC was created and currently has over 14,000 views and over 150 shares. The hashtag #shareyouroutdoorstory was also created to collect personal accounts on social media of the impact of the ORC.
When freshman Devyn Ostrander--who found encouragement with new friends, a place to fit in and multiple new hobbies at the rock wall--heard about the possibility of losing these opportunities, he immediately knew he would miss it and hopes the decision to cut will be rethought.
“I am only a freshman but have already fallen in love with the ORC -- easily my favorite part of the college. I was looking forward to using the services they provide for the remainder of my time in college. The college always like to talk about producing well rounded students, I believe that having a resource like the outdoor rec office is important to producing these students,” Ostrander said.
“Students are trained and certified to become trip leaders to lead trips to places such as backpacking the Grand Canyon or Red River Gorge or the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Rocking climbing Mad River Gorge in Ohio or bouldering in Texas. Additionally, we teach Intro classes to kayaking and stand-up paddle-boarding. In December, we are also leading a trip out to the Gulf of Mexico for a kayaking exhibition,” Sherrets said of the additional adventures available thanks to the ORC.
According to Sherrets, these cuts will occur in summer of 2018. A student testimony is attached below.
