Policies

Aggie Recreation Center Policy - Updated/Approved March 2022

General Guidelines

Access to the Aggie Recreation Center is controlled by a biometric hand scanner. Upon your first visit to the ARC, patrons will register their hand biometrics and then linked to your account. If you choose to not have your hand registered, participants must present a valid USU ID for entry.
Entry to activity zones is only allowed through the South Entry Desk and the North Entry Desk ID check station.
Lending or using another individual’s ID will result in its confiscation and disciplinary action of those involved.
Current students can sponsor a guest over the age of 18 with the purchase of a guest pass.
Food and drinks must be in a sealable, shatter-proof container.
Photography/videography is prohibited within all recreational facilities by all individuals, including staff, students, faculty and members of the public, except when performed by authorized employees, contractors, and designees conducting official University business. The University retains the ability to perform photography and videography within recreational facilities for media, marketing, and all other operational purposes, generally subject to rules set forth in the Media Request Form.
Members are encouraged not to bring valuables to the ARC. Backpacks and/or personal belongings must be stored in a day locker or a rented locker in the locker rooms. Staff are unable to hold personal items for members. Leaving personal belongings on the floor throughout the facility is prohibited.
Equipment must be used as intended by the manufacturer. Do not move or relocate equipment without staff approval.
The use of collars are mandatory and spotters is highly encouraged when working out on free weights.
Personal Training may be performed by Department of Campus Recreation staff only.
Users may not “bang” dumbbells or drop weights as this damages equipment.
All free weights, dumbbells, plates, etc., must be returned to their respective racks following use.
Campus Recreation programs have priority in all activity areas.
Members are expected to follow the directions of ARC staff at all times. Questions about any staff decision can be directed to the Director and/or Associate Director of Campus Recreation
Day use lockers are available for use at no charge. In the event that a patron forgets the location/combination of their locker, they will be given a maximum of three attempts to locate their items. If the items still are not found, the individual may return at the close of the facility to claim their items. For items that are left in lockers overnight, see lost and found policy.
When returning check-out equipment, patrons must return the exact inventory item and item number. Failure to properly return equipment will result in a replacement fee or a suspended membership.

The Following are not Permitted

Any patron under the age of 18 (17 if a USU student) unless they are on an organized campus tour or part of an organized Campus Recreation activity/event are prohibited from Campus Recreation Spaces.
Strollers and Child Carriers are prohibited from use within the ARC. Strollers are allowed on the 1st floor track of the Fieldhouse.
Watching activities from balconies or indoor track. (Exceptions may be made in advance for special events).
Pets/animals with the exception of university approved service animals.
Bikes inside the ARC with the exception of the Outdoor Programs Rental Shop.
The use of any type of skateboard or hover board inside the facility.
Food or any non-water beverages in activity areas. There are lounges throughout the facility for food and drinks other than water.
Gum inside ARC.
Backpacks or personal items on the courts, floors, or seating areas.
Baseballs and/or softballs.
Bouncing or kicking balls on polished concrete floor.
Stretching on indoor track.
Running Spikes on the indoor track or any indoor surface.
Any type of organized practice or class without a prior reservation.

Recreation Safety

Recreation provides an important way to stay healthy—physically, mentally and emotionally. As you recreate on campus or in the community and canyons, make sure you are aware of your surroundings, and do your part to keep yourself and those around you safe:

Be aware of others who may be biking, running, or recreating near you.
Set up orange cones to indicate the presence of slacklines (which may be hazardous particularly when set above waist height), equipment, or other things that may pose a danger to others (free cones are available for checkout in the HPER cage).
Be mindful of your surroundings when biking, skateboarding, skating, etc. and be aware of other activities that may be happening in the area.

Attire/Clothing Guidelines

Campus Recreation strives to maintain a clean, safe, and inclusive environment while honoring personal workout clothing preferences.

While using recreation facilities, a top, shorts or pants, and closed-toe shoes, unless specifically designated for the area, are required. Tops must cover pectoral region. Shorts must be long enough to cover the buttocks and groin region.
Clothing that is deemed unsafe will be addressed by department staff.
Denim and clothing with rivets or zippers that can tear upholstery are prohibited from use while on equipment.
Clean attire that is intended for swimming must be worn in the pools.

As you use the facility, recognize that exposed skin can be at risk to disease exposure. Patrons can help minimize the risk for themselves and others by limiting skin contact to equipment and wiping down fitness equipment before and after use. Thank you for helping us respect the Rec Facilities!

Music Policy

The Campus Recreation staff is responsible for controlling the type of music and volume level for any facility where music is played on a central system. The music played will be determined based on the general population using the facility and will not interfere with any other university policy or university group that may be in the facility. Personal headsets are welcomed in any facility, but the use of radios/portable stereos (“boom boxes”) will not be permitted.

Please contact the administrative offices with any questions or suggestions.

Lost and Found

Any items found will be turned into the Services Desk where the items will be logged
All wallets, jewelry, or any other valuables will be secured in a safe then turned into the University Police Department
All USU Card ID’s will be turned into the Card Office, daily
In order for anyone to claim their lost item, they must describe the item in detail and then fill out the claim information in the lost and found log-in book

Open Recreation Setup

Utah State University Department of Campus Recreation strives to ensure that no single activity, special event, and/or sport dominate the use of the ARC. Since the facility was designed to accommodate many different types of activities, every effort will be made to maximize options available to the members. There will be occasions that portions of the ARC will be reserved for intramural competitions and club sport usage and other times space will be rented to student and other organizations. However, when we are in 100% open recreation operation, ARC members will have several activities from which to choose from.

The Indoor Track is primarily used for recreational jogging. When three or more joggers are together please run only two side by side. Walkers and slower joggers jog on the inside of track.

Advertising in Campus Recreation Facilities

Campus Recreation maintains advertising locations in the Aggie recreation Center (ARC), George Nelson Fieldhouse and Health, Physical Education and Recreation Building (HPER). Advertising in these areas is limited to University functions only and priority will be given to Campus Recreation advertising. Any exception must be approved by Campus Recreation professional staff. We reserve the right to deny or remove any advertisements. Advertisements placed in non-designated locations such as entrances, windows, walls, furniture, restrooms, etc. will be discarded. If you want to place advertisements in Campus recreation facilities, send any flyers to campusrec@usu.edu for approval.

The Fieldhouse and HPER are shared facilities and may contain additional advertising locations not maintained by Campus Recreation. Advertising in these locations is subject to approval from the departments that maintain them.

Aquatic Facilities

The HPER Pools are primarily used for lap swimming, instructional fitness classes and recreational play. Learn to swim and other instructional programs are offered by the Department of Campus Recreation at scheduled times. USU Club Sports swimming team also use the facility for practice and competition. When the schedule permits, outside organizations may rent out space.

Due to the unique nature of aquatic facilities, guidelines and policies exist as follows:

General Guidelines for the HPER Pools

Use of this facility is at your own risk
Enter the water only when a lifeguard is on duty
Prolonged under water breath holding is prohibited
Diving is permitted only in water greater than 9 feet deep
Shower before entering the water
Shower after a stay in the sauna
Proper swimming attire is required for use of facility
Inflatable water wings, rafts, and inner tubes are not permitted
Circle swim is always in effect
Groups that have rented/reserved the pool are only allowed in their designated pool area and locker rooms
Only authorized personnel are permitted to: walk on the bulkheads; use the starting blocks; and stand, sit, or place items on the Lifeguard stands

The following are not permitted in the HPER Pools:

Running
Food/Gum/Drinks other than Water
Tanning/Baby Oil
Band-Aids
Floats/Rafts/Inner Tubes
Hard Plastic Toys
Glass or Breakable Containers

Hanging or Sitting on the Lane Lines
Riding, Standing on Shoulders, or Aggressive Play
Crossovers, Deep Water Bobbing or Involuntary Breath Holding
Use of Aqua Belts as a Flotation Devices

Individuals who have had diarrhea within the past 2 weeks
Individuals with skin diseases, infections, or open sores
Individuals who are Intoxicated

Use of Tobacco Products is Strictly Prohibited
Spitting/Spouting in the Pool, please use the gutters

The following are permitted with restrictions:

All children under the age of 8 are required to be swim tested by USU Aquatics staff prior to entering the water. Anyone identified as a non-swimmer will be required to wear a US Coast Guard - Approved Lifejacket Type III at all times and must remain in shallow water
An adult must accompany children under the age of 16 at all times
An adult must accompany children under the age of 6 in the water at all times. There is a limit of 3 children per one adult

General Guidelines for the Diving Boards/Platforms

Fulcrum wheel must remain in the forward position at all times
Only 1 person is permitted on the board/platform at a time
Diving is permitted off the front of the board/platform only
Divers are allowed only 1 bounce off the springboards
After diving, users must exit the dive well immediately and to the nearest exit

Participants must wait for previous diver to move to the side of the pool before diving
Running, cartwheels, handstands, backwards dives, and activities deemed hazardous by the Aquatic Staff are prohibited

The following is not permitted on the Diving Boards/Platform:

T-Shirts and loose clothing
Dives with backward-motion
Cut away dives
Dives deemed unsafe by aquatic staff

Lightning Policy

The Pools will close at the first sight of Lightning and the first sound of Thunder for 30 minutes.
“IF YOU SEE IT, FLEE IT; IF YOU HEAR IT CLEAR IT”
HPER and Lifeguard staff will clear the pools, pool deck and shower areas for 30 minutes after the last witness of Lightning or Thunder.
The 30-minute wait period will restart after each witness of Lightning or Thunder. The Supervisor will approval when it is safe to return to the pools, pool deck and shower areas.

General Guidelines in the Sauna

Dry Sauna is available in the HPER locker rooms. It is available primarily for recreational use. Due to the unique nature of this space the following guidelines and policies exist:

Proper swim attire or athletic attire must be worn in the sauna; shoes are not permitted
All individuals using the sauna must sit or lay on a towel
After exercising, individuals must cool down for a minimum of 15 minutes before entering the sauna
Exercise is prohibited in the sauna
All patrons must shower with soap before entering the pool after using the sauna.
Prolonged exposure to high temperatures may result in nausea, dizziness, and fainting. Reasonable use time is 10 minutes and it is recommended not to exceed 20 minutes.
Individuals with the following conditions should not use the sauna: heart disease, diabetes, high/low blood pressure, circulatory/respiratory problems, seizures, epilepsy, or pregnant. Anyone taking prescription medication should consult their doctor prior to entering.
Children under the age of 16 are not permitted in the sauna
Exposure to high temperatures may damage some electronic items
Campus Recreation is not responsible for any loss or damage that may be caused
Body lotions, oils, or suntan preparations are not permitted in the sauna