To whom it may concern:
We demand a Libraisium. If our request is opaque, allow us the opportunity to elucidate our request. In a tradition which stretches back to the golden age of ancient Athens, gymnastic and dialectic were always intimately coupled. The training of the mind complements the training of the body. For this reason, we demand a gymnasium to be merged into the Regenstein Library. In short, a Libraisium. We are utterly serious in our suggestion, and hope that you will consider this idea for the upcoming expansion.
Some of the benefits of a Libraisium are these:
- Fitter U of C students, therefore, also more attractive
- Better hygiene for over-studied students
- Physical activity is an excellent study-break. As Aristotle said in the Metaphysics Lambda, the actuality of the soul is its activity, and to exercise is to act a part of the soul. Conversely, as Aristotle also notes in the Nichomachean Ethics book X, pleasure completes the activity.
- Although it would be nice, Men and women do not need to train naked as suggested in Republic V
P.S. In case you are baffled as to how this may be best brought about, we would suggest mounting our veritable castle, Bartlett, on top of the the Reg. If this is not possible, we suggest that you build a castle on top.
Thank you for your suggestion. Unfortunately, for many years the University denied the close relation between academics and athletics. Indeed, some hailed the construction of Regenstein upon the old Stagg Field as a triumph of the mind over vulgar physical sport.
However, I think you may be overlooking the gymnastic venues already available in the Library. Some older staff members recalled doing lunch-break aerobics in the bookstacks several years ago. (I dared not inquire whether they were naked during this activity.) Shelving books, if done with reasonable enthusiasm, provides an excellent upper-body workout--and you even get paid for the exercise!
For more sophisticated training, the close proximity of Ratner and Henry Crown provide ample opportunity for physical conditioning, and many times I have observed students eschewing television in favor of a library book (although we respectfully ask you to avoid dripping sweat onto the pages). While a skybridge soaring across Ellis to Ratner is intriguing, we believe the short walk presents no obstacle to motivated patrons.