Every Sunday from 9 to 10 p.m., Hulsey Wellness Center is reserved for Girls Gym Night, an opportunity for all ladies of Southern to workout in the building, including the second-floor indoor walking track.
According to Associate Dean of Thatcher Hall Tisha Looby, Aug. 28 marked the beginning of the Sunday night ladies-only workout sessions. About 30 girls on average attend each week, said Looby.
Looby added that Girls Gym Night takes place conveniently outside of Hulsey’s regular operating hours, and there has been no interference from the general public as a result. The Sunday night event requires no prior sign-up and is promoted on the Thatcher Ladies Instagram account, @thatcherladies, and via Southern email.
“There is no dress code for girls during this time,” said Looby. “I enjoy seeing the girls feel comfortable to work out as they please.”
“If we notice that it is something that the girls really love, we will try to figure out a way to keep it going.”
Looby stated that the dean on duty for that Sunday monitors the gym door from 9 to 10 p.m. As long as there is a dean available during that time frame and no emergencies arise, All Girls Gym Night is expected to continue.
“We will try to keep it up,” Looby said. “A dean must be present at the gym during the after-hours but can be pulled away for an emergency at any time. Therefore, if we don’t have one available, then it has to be canceled for that day. Depending on interest, if we notice that it is something that the girls really love, we will try to figure out a way to keep it going.”
Darin Bissell, facilities manager for the School of Health and Kinesiology, also expressed his support of the event, which allows ladies living in the dorms to have the gym all to themselves and feel more comfortable.
According to Looby, the idea for the weekly event originated in a discussion among the resident assistants (RAs), student deans (SDs) and herself one day in her office. Soon after this, she arranged Girls Gym Night for her workers.
“After I did it for my RAs and student deans, I felt there would be a lot of other girls that would want to participate,” said Looby.
Looby shared that in her role as an associate dean of Thatcher Hall, she has primarily served as an advocate for girls. According to Southern’s resident life page, Looby is known for her creativity and infectious laugh. The website also explains that Looby is not only an alumna and associate dean of Thatcher Hall but also displays a great passion for ministering to young women.
“I am the dean covering Sigma Theta Chi, a girls’ club. So yes, in a way, my entire job is [arranging] all-girl events,” Looby said.
