UH Downtown hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Jan. 20 for a wellness center more adequate for the campus's growing population.
The new center will offer more opportunities for health and wellness programming through new amenities such as exercise studios, training areas, a bouldering wall, kitchen classroom, and an indoor running track.
The center was funded by a student referendum pushed by UHD's student government. Students and the University of Houston System Board of Regents voted to approve the fee for the facility in 2019. The center cost $36 million to make and comes on the cusp of UHD's 50th anniversary.
"UHD is committed to students' physical and mental well-being. Healthy students are much more likely to graduate, experience socioeconomic mobility, and become leaders in their professions and communities," UHD said in a statement.
One study from Columbia University says healthier students are better learners, and affect the quality of life for youth along with the ability to contribute and live productively.
The study states urban minority youth are disproportionately affected by health disparities. However, the National Library of Medicine states any aerobic exercises; jogging, swimming, walking, and dancing, can reduce anxiety and depression. Up to 44% of college students have reported symptoms of depression and anxiety, according to the Mayo Clinic Health System.
Students, employees, alumni, and friends of UHD Sports and Fitness members will be eligible to use the center, although some may be required to pay an undetermined fee.
Danielle Lossangoye has attended UHD since 2019 and currently works at the wellness center. She said the previous Student Life Center was often overcrowded.
"Whenever a student used to come in the previous center, it would get pretty crowded easily because it was smaller but now we can clearly see that a lot more students are coming in," Lossangoye said.
Lossangoye also said a few leadership opportunities will open up to add more to campus life.