Undergraduate students will continue to have free access to the Athletic Complex’s cardio room for the 2011-12 year.

A Student Union allocation made over the summer will extend free use of the entire AC through the coming year, quelling concerns that a charge would be imposed.

SU spent $25,000 to maintain the building’s hours and keep students from having to pay $45 for an annual pass to the McWilliams Fitness Center. Students still need to sign up for memberships, but they will not have to pay for them.

The funding came from SU’s carryforward account—money allocated to student groups that was never spent. The account had $86,000 from last year alone, said Cody Katz, vice president of finance.

Katz said he chose to allocate money from that account because it gave him time to get more details about how the funds would be spent and gauge student interest. He told SU Treasury about the possible funding decision last spring, but their approval wasn’t necessary.

Katz noted that student input he received was generally in favor of the allocation.

“The one thing that I did hear is that the facilities aren’t the best, but it’s still something,” he said. “I think students still respond to having a free place to exercise on campus, even if it’s not as nice as the South 40 Fitness Room or an off-campus gym.”

Sophomore WUSA Zach Hernandez said that while he does not personally use the facilities, free access to the AC is appealing to many prospective freshmen he interacts with.

“I think it’s great when students come and visit—they’re always asking ‘Can we use the AC? Is it free?’ and it’s always nice to able to tell them yes,” he said. “I’m always working with incoming students, and a lot of people like having a gym.”

Almost 1300 undergraduates signed up for the memberships last year.

Undergraduates are the only members of the University community who will receive free access to the cardio room.

A one-year membership to the center costs $55 for graduate students and $140 for faculty, staff and alumni. Access to the weight room and the center itself is free for everyone.

All of SU’s money will be going toward recreational and fitness initiatives, said John Schael, director of athletics. He said the funding is spent primarily on maintaining the center’s hours and renovating equipment.

“None of those dollars are used for intercollegiate athletics. The benefit really is for the undergraduate students,” Schael said. “It is a true partnership that works very, very well.”

Katz noted that the amount is actually much less than was spent in previous years. SU provided $60,000 in block funding to the AC for both the 2008-9 and 2009-10 years.

The money, matched by the AC, was used to renovate both the weight room and fitness center and also to add hallway lockers.

According to Katz, the AC did not receive block funding this year due to a lack of student initiative.

A petition for block funding must receive signatures from 15 percent of the student body and be voted for by SU Treasury in the spring.

Schael said that whatever money the complex receives, the AC is happy to be working with SU to continue encouraging healthy lifestyles.

He noted that a decision to stop funding the AC would be detrimental to both students and the University.

“There would definitely be an impact,” Schael said, “And I think everybody would feel that.”