The addition of massages to the Markin Family Student Recreation Center is a possibility, Director of Campus Recreation Mike Keup said.
“Through the Health Center, physical therapy students are able to perform chair massages, although they are not certified yet,” he said.
The idea for a day spa came from freshman business and Spanish major Anthony Johnson. Keup said Johnson approached him about the topic in December.
“He wanted a full-blown spa with manicures, pedicures, facials, massages and physical therapy,” Keup said.
Johnson said he got the idea from overhearing girls talk about the need for it.
“Mike [Keup] was my EHS teacher, so I went to him about how to put it into effect,” he said. “We have been trying to incorporate the manicures and pedicures but finance and space are limited.”
Freshman mechanical engineering major Andrew Miller said he hopes the manicures and pedicures become available.
“Some girls may be disappointed,” Miller said. “Over time and with surveys, maybe people will see it’s wanted, and hopefully they can find a way to somehow add it on.”
Keup said he isn’t sure where to put a day spa.
“The facility has limitations,” he said. “There’s no space for complete dedication, which is a definite roadblock. Plumbing-wise, we’re not designed for it.”
Keup said he doesn’t want to make any major changes to the building, as they are still learning what will hold students’ interests, but the day spa wouldn’t necessarily have to be at the Markin Center.
“If it is held at the Markin Center there is potential in the multi-purpose room,” Keup said. “But it would need to be mobile because of the other activities that use that room. Taking a space and dedicating it would be a mistake, in my opinion.”
He said the massages are more likely to be implemented than the other services.
“Facials, manicures and pedicures don’t fit the function of the Markin Center,” Keup said. “Massages do fit which is why we’re looking into offering them.
He said he wants to offer chair massages during finals week or as a fundraiser for the physical therapy department in the lobby of the Markin Center.
“We are working out the details but are remaining flexible,” Keup said. “In the past, it was used as a fundraiser. We could offer them on demand or have students set up a meeting and date … we will base it on usage.”
Sophomore AEP major Ian Jones said the idea of a day spa isn’t very appealing to him.
“As long as there are massages it’s OK,” he said. “I don’t see the need for manicures or pedicures. Cost is a big issue nowadays and money is tight. If I heard the massages were good I might check it out once or twice.”
Sophomore chemistry secondary education major Kyle = said he disagreed.
“After playing basketball, my feet get callused and blistered,” he said. “I wouldn’t mind a pedicure.”
Johnson said he is currently the only student working on getting this project off the ground but is hoping to start an application process soon and get a group of about 12 people to work on it.
“I get so many e-mails every day about the day spa,” he said.
Johnson said if all goes well, he hopes the massages will start in the fall.
