University of Maryland Eastern Shore is an institution founded on the principles of equality and black excellence. The students of UMES are not awarded many options for recreational activities, in fact the only place for students to pursue any form of athletic pastime is Tawes gym. Many of UMES students enjoy shooting hoops in the gym in between classes, others use the weight rooms and exercise machines in order to maintain physical fitness, not to mention many students enjoyed the weekly student facilitated intramurals basketball games. For the past two weeks Tawes gymnasium has been closed due to repairs, and no communication has been relayed to the students as to when the gym will be reopened for use. The students of UMES are requesting that they be allowed to use the gym facilities in Hytche. Students have unfairly been barred from using Hytche gym contrary to the fact that we pay a hefty amount in athletic fees every semester, not to mention this university should be geared towards catering to the students and their needs. We as students, are more than understanding that Tawes gymnasium (being one of the oldest buildings on campus) needs work, but we are not accepting of the blatant disregard to the needs of the student population. Once again, the students of University of Maryland Eastern Shore are requesting the use of Hytche Gymnasium until Tawes gymnasium is reopened.