The freshmen 15

The Vine

December 2007 Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA

The freshmen 15

By Heather Gioia
Staff Writer

Everyone had heard it before there freshmen year of college, “Beware of the freshmen 15!” The extra 15 pounds, rumor has it, that the average person will put on their freshmen year of college. The reported sudden gain in weight has to do with the students change in environment and the food they are presented with to eat on a daily basis.

The main reason for the “freshmen 15” are an increase in alcohol consumption and the fatting and carbohydrate filled food served in the cafeteria-style, all-you-can-eat buffets dining halls. An increased intake of fast food, which is offered in the other dormitory settings, as well as overeating due to a lack of sleep also contribute. But do Virginia Commonwealth University students fall pery to this theory? With the numerous dining facilities offered on both the Monroe and MVC Park campuses, students are not only offered their choice of different healthy options, but also a physical journey to get there.

The “Freshmen 15,” is the theory believed by many.

“I agree with the freshman theory, there are so many restaurants from Subway in the Commons, Schaefer court to walking along Broad street getting a bite from Five Guys,” VCU freshmen, Maya Jordan said. “Most likely, freshman will start to notice a dramatic shift in their weight due to the necessary and unnecessary food eateries.”

The majority of VCU freshmen reside and spend the largest amount of their time on the Monroe Park campus. Here students are offered dining choices consisting of: Shafer Dinning Center, Alpine Bagel Café, Bookmark Bistro, Commons Café, Camille’s Sidewalk Café, Starbucks, Market 810, Market 810-2-GO, and Park Place Food Court, to spend their dinning dollars, meal swipes, ram bucks, or their own money.

When freshmen come through VCU for orientation, they are told about the extensive meal plans offered. They are usually also told by the upper classmen to get the smallest meal plan, that most likely they would not use the whole plan by the end of the semester. VCU meal plans are good for only one semester, come December 18, any swipes or dining dollars that have not been used on a student’s meal plan just disappear. Nothing gets carried onto next semester or the following year. Knowing this, towards the end of the semester students pile into VCU’s dining facilities to chow down on what is left of the dining plan they have.

According to VCU freshmen Rachael Byrd, the “Freshmen 15” happens to most kids because they are only eating in Schaeffer hall or restaurants.
But VCU offers a different atmosphere then many universities. It is located in the city, so lots of things are in walking distance. The majority of the freshmen class at VCU lives on campus and uses their feet or a bike as the main form of transportation.

“Exercise is needed and should be part of an individual daily life. Whether walking to and from class or just getting on the tread mill 30 minutes a day,” explained Jordan, who has made a commitment to working out at the gym at least three times a week.

Three times a week seems to be the common number of times to find the typical VCU freshmen at the gym.

“I try to go to the gym at least 3 times a week. I think it affects my health in a good way,” said VCU Freshmen William VanHorne.

VCU also offers different facilities allowing students to stay in-shape and keep their bodies fit. The Siegel Center Gym, the Cary Street Gym, the Franklin Street Pool, and the MVC Campus Recreation and Aquatic center are all available to students. They offer a wide variety of activities including Latin, Caribbean and African Dance, Yoga, Boot Camp, A.B.S., Martial Arts, and Deep Water Exercises’ on top of the regularly offered activities.

Byrd agrees with Jordan about the importance of working out.

“Working out is great for your health, especially cardio workouts they help your heart and lifting helps your bones,” Bryd said. “I love working out. Maybe not when I am doing it at the time, but after words my body is flooded with endorphins and I feel great!”

So while the dining services offered the VCU are not held at the highest of standards by students, the athletic facilities are. Students generally feel that the campus set up that causes all of the daily walking is what aids in keeping the weight of VCU freshmen down. While the dining choices may not always be of the healthiest options, wraps and salads are offered Monday through Friday in the student commons, Quiznos is offered in the VCU Bookstore, Subway is offered in the student commons, and Shaffer has a salad bar that is always open, as well as other offers that can please just about everyone’s taste buds.

The gym may not be the only means of exercise freshmen at VCU are offered.

VCU’s three main freshmen dorms, Johnson, Brant, and Rhoads, are high-rise buildings, giving students the opportunity to get a work out on a daily bases as they make their way to or from there room. From time to time in Rhoads Hall you can catch a few of the “Men of the Eleventh Floor” racing one another up the stairs, or attempting to beat someone in the elevator from floor one to the eleventh.

While the “Freshmen 15” is generally applied to the gaining of 15 extra pounds freshmen year, it has also been interpreted as a 15 pound loss due to under eating, depression, and other similar reasons.

“The freshmen 15 could go both ways. You could gain or lose. I have lost that plus since I have been here,” said VCU freshmen Carmalita Andrews.

The “Freshmen 15” theory may not have been fully proven, but it is important for students to take advantage of healthy eating and exercise options while they are at college.