If all goes according to plan, next year’s newcomers may be provided some extra help with preventing the proverbial “freshman 15.”

The assistance comes in the form of a proposal that has been set forth by the athletic department to lease brand-new cardiovascular equipment for the campus fitness center located in Mabee Hall.

The current health equipment has been in place since renovations were done more than a decade ago.

“It’s been 14 years since we’ve done anything with it,” athletic director Dan Harris said.

“My feeling is that the No. 1 issue with recruitment and retention rates is our facilities. Kids want to know if you have a fitness center, a weight room and a gymnasium that the students can use that’s not overtaken by athletics. And so we really need to be sensitive to supporting these students.”

Sophomore Jeff Milton said he spends eight to 10 hours per week using the facilities and is excited about the proposal.

“I’m glad we’re actually going to get some new equipment that works and will help students achieve their fitness goals,” Milton said. “

Initially, the new equipment will not be purchased. The athletic department will sign a contract to lease the equipment for three years and then have an option to buy or renew after the lease expires.

“The payment is a little bit more,” Harris said. “It’s about double our budget. But what we’re getting is brand new treadmills, steppers, bikes and elliptical that will be high-tech, just like you would get at a first-rate health club.”

With the plan still in its development stages, the athletic department is still searching for ways to fund the project during difficult economic times.

One avenue Harris believes could prove successful is through Jeff Paxton, a representative from Lifetime Fitness.

“I’ve been working with (Paxton) pretty closely,” he said. “He’s done every major college weight room in the Midwest as well as every major high school program. He’s updating their weight program and fitness facilities. He’s a friend, so he’s also doing us a good deal.”

While softball coach Jennifer Rigdon, also the fitness center director, said she expects the equipment to bring a spike in student attendance, she believes perhaps the most important part of the proposal is the change in who is able to use the facility.

“There’s also a proposal to eliminate community use or start charging fees for people who aren’t students to use the facilities,” she said. “This will eliminate some of the competition for the equipment.”

The new equipment is expected to arrive in July.

Initially, the new equipment will not be purchased. The athletic department willsign a contract to lease the equipment for three years and then have an option to buy or renew after the lease expires.

“The payment is a little bit more,” Harris said. “It’s about double our budget. But what we’re getting is brand-new treadmills, steppers, bikes and elliptical that will be high-tech, just like you would get at a first-rate health club.”

With the plan still in its development stages, the athletic department still is searching for ways to fund the project during difficult economic times.

One avenue Harris believes could prove successful is through Jeff Paxton, a representative from Lifetime Fitness.

“I’ve been working with (Paxton) pretty closely,” he said. “He’s done every major college weight room in the Midwest as well as every major high school program. He’s updating their weight program and fitness facilities. He’s a friend, so he’s also doing us a good deal.”

While softball coach Jennifer Rigdon, also the fitness center director, said she expects the equipment to bring a spike in student attendance, she believes perhaps the most important part of the proposal is the change in who is able to use the facility.

“There’s also a proposal to eliminate community use or start charging fees for people who aren’t students to use the facilities,” she said. “This will eliminate some of the competition for the equipment.”

From the time the equipment is ordered, Harris said it will take roughly four weeks to arrive on campus.<br/>