The Baker Ferguson Fitness Center quietly changed its Saturday hours on April 17 in response to student feedback and seasonal changes in usage across Whitman’s athletic facilities. Saturday hours are now 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; they had been 8 a.m. to noon since the start of spring semester.

The initial change to morning-only hours had prompted sharp criticism from students earlier this semester. Several students told The Pioneer in February that they were frustrated with the inability to use gym facilities on Saturday afternoons, especially since many students sleep in on Saturday mornings. The new hours do not fully restore the 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. hours offered during the fall 2009 semester, nor do they restore Sunday morning hours that were also eliminated at the beginning of the semester.

Michele Hanford, fitness facilities director, said that the additional hours at BFFC are possible because of cuts at Sherwood Athletic Center, which sees a seasonal decline in usage during the late spring. She said that student feedback played a role in the decision as well, and that though the changes were late in the semester, they’re “better late than never.”

The enhanced Saturday hours run through May 8. A separate schedule for finals week and commencement goes into effect May 12.