After it was determined in spring 2011 by Recreational Sports and Fitness Services that the demand for storage prevented the club from staying in its room, located in 221 IM Sports-West, the Spartan Ski Club was asked to vacate its office, Rick McNeil said in a response letter to Drew Bekins, former president of the Spartan Ski Club, recent alumnus and former employee of The State News.

McNeil, the director of Recreational Sports and Fitness Services, said because the club requested a one-year extension in the office, the move out date was moved to May 14. “The request for the Ski Club to vacate is a simple matter of priorities with existing space,” McNeil said in the letter. “We need to recapture the space … to improve service to the entire campus community’s high demand for fitness.”

Still, Robison, a finance senior and current president of the club, said he is disappointed that the group is not allowed to keep their office space, as it is part of the club’s history and was a place last year where the 509 members could go between courses to prepare for club events and relax.

“There is so much character and history that it is sad we won’t have that anymore,” he said.

The office was open four days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and an officer always was present, Robison said.

“It is a bummer to see that the university isn’t almost respecting student organizations in the way that they should,” he said. “We would have been fine with something even smaller, and with all of the buildings on campus, I feel like they could have found another place for us.”

Office aide in the Department of Student Life Hayley Mathie said most organizations registered with the Department of Student Life are not provided with office space, except for major governing groups or groups that are given office space by their academic departments.

Robison said the lack of an office space will require extra effort on the part of the officers of the club.

Although he said the office was a professional atmosphere where people could feel comfortable dropping off money for ski trips and visiting, he hopes to set up time in a classroom each week to fulfill similar functions, Robison said.

He added the club will try to host more functions at people’s houses and get the word out that all members are welcome to stop by for a Monster Energy drink and to hang out with club members.

“If anything, from an officer standpoint… it is going to make us even stronger with handling challenges,” he said.