Rules and Regulations
The Department of Recreational Sports operational and behavioral regulations are mandated by recreational staff to create a fair, just and disciplined University Community. The Recreation Staff supports the educational mission of the University by informing and educating patrons about appropriate and inappropriate behavior. The staff believes in facilitating and fostering a community where academic success and positive social and recreational interactions will occur.
This system of regulations is based on the assumption that patrons have the capacity to assume responsibility for their own actions and behavior. The recreational staff, in turn has the authority to establish an internal structure for the enforcement of policies and procedures, which are in association with those that patrons have accepted and agreed to by enrolling in the University.
The Department of Recreational Sports rules and regulations are designed with three primary objectives: to hold patrons accountable for unacceptable behavior, to modify those behaviors deemed inappropriate and unacceptable and to instill and support positive social interaction within the Virginia Tech community.
General Operational Regulations:
- The primary function of these facilities is to serve the recreational, educational, wellness, and athletic needs of Virginia Tech students, faculty, staff, spouses, and families.
- Valid and current Virginia Tech identification is required for use of all recreational facilities.
- Virginia Tech and the Department of Recreational Sports cannot assume liability for property loss and/or injuries resulting from any activity or event.
- Individual patrons shall utilize all Recreational Facilities at their own risk.
- All scheduled activities must meet the prior approval of the Recreational Sports Department.
- Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages, including public intoxication is prohibited in all Recreational Sports facilities.
- Sale of concessions, novelties, and all other goods and services are prohibited in recreational facilities unless prior written approval is granted by the Department of Recreational Sports. If approved, such sales must meet all guidelines and policies set forth by the University relating to concession sales and the distribution of goods and services.
- Harassment of University students, faculty, staff or guests or willful destruction of University property may result in loss of facility use privileges and, if appropriate, further disciplinary or legal action.
- A parent or legal guardian must accompany any users under the age of 16 years.
- Animals are prohibited in all recreational facilities, unless utilized as a guide for disabled patrons.
- Amplified music or sound in conjunction with activities must have prior approval of the Department of Recreational Sports.
- All recreational facilities must be used for the purpose, which they were intended, unless prior approval has been granted by the Department of Recreational Sports.
- Facilities may be utilized only during designated operating hours. No one is to remain in the facilities when it is officially closed.
- General supervision of facilities shall be the responsibility of the Department of Recreational Sports, its staff members and student supervisors. Specific supervision for programmed activities shall rest with the responsible instructor, coach, coordinator, or supervisor.
- Identification will be required for admittance. Users shall comply with policies and cooperate with the facility staff during events and informal recreation. Advance entry arrangements will be required for visitors participating in events.
- Smoking or the use of chewing tobacco is prohibited.
- No food, drink (except water in closed containers), or chewing gum is allowed in any program areas.
- Fighting of any kind will not be tolerated.
- Participation in any kind of illegal gambling is not allowed.
- Weapons are prohibited.
- Signs may not be posted on any wall without prior approval from the Department of Recreational Sports. All postings must be placed on general use boards.
- Appropriate athletic footwear is required in all activity areas. Shoes that leave black marks on wood floors, boots, sandals or open toed shoes are prohibited in all program areas.
- Access to rooms will be provided by the Facility Supervisors. All room doors must be closed and locked at the conclusion of a reservation.
- Sponsor must present a copy of the facility contract if asked by facility personnel.
- Sponsor is responsible for proper disposal of trash and any damages caused by their use.
- Do not move any equipment without prior approval from the Department of Recreational Sports. If approval has been given all moved equipment must be returned to its original location.
- Bicycles, rollerblades and skateboards are prohibited in all indoor facilities.
- The Department of Recreational Sports will operate in accordance with the University Policies for Student Life.
- Virginia Tech and the Department of Recreational Sports reserve the right to interpret these regulations in the best interest of the University, its students, faculty, staff and guests.
Gyms
- Appropriate shirts and shoes along with proper exercise pants (i.e. athletic shorts, sweats, or windpants) are required. Unacceptable forms of attire include jeans, khakis, cut off denim, boots, and shoes with soles that will mark the floors. Shirts must be worn at all times.
- No foods, drinks, or gum (water permitted).
- Chewing gum should be disposed of in the trash receptacles provided.
- Hanging on the rims, or backboard pads is prohibited.
- Profanity or abusive language is prohibited.
- Permission must be granted before any alterations may be made to equipment or facilities.
- Patrons must abide by all policies set forth by the Facilities Staff. Such policies may include but are not limited to regulations regarding risk management issues, informal game playing etiquette, and proper usage of equipment.
Indoor Track
- Proper attire should be worn while working out on track: running shoes and athletic shorts, sweats, or windpants and a shirt are required.
- Drinks and food are not allowed on the jogging track. Items from the snack machines should be consumed in the designated lounge areas.
- Racing is not permitted.
- Permission must be granted before any alterations may be made to equipment or facilities.
- Throwing or dropping items to/from the track to the ground floor or vice versa is prohibited.
- Stay in your own lane to prohibit interfering with another patrons exercise.
- No horseplay, spectating or loitering on the Track.
- Patrons must abide by all policies set forth by the Facilities Staff.
Pools
- No swimming is permitted without a Recreational Sports lifeguard present.
- Permission must be granted before any alterations may be made to equipment or facilities.
- Swimsuits are required at all times. No cut offs or gym trunks may be used for bathing suits.
- No food, drinks (except water), or chewing gum in the pool area.
- Remove all Band-Aids, hairpins, etc. before entering pool.
- Wristbands are a safety feature, and must be visible to the lifeguard at all times.
- No rough play, shoving or general horseplay.
- Patrons must abide by all policies set forth by the Aquatics staff. Such policies may include, but are not limited to regulations regarding specific lane assignments, pool safety requirements or aquatic equipment usage.
Weight Rooms / Fitness Studios
- For safety reasons you must have at least two people present to use the Aerobic/Fitness studios.
- No tape may be placed on the floor of the aerobic/fitness rooms.
- Spotters are required for all free-weight bench presses, shoulder presses, dumbbell presses, and squats.
- Patrons must clean equipment after every use.
- Users are required to have full-length towels on all machines-wash towels and hand towels will not be accepted.
- Appropriate clothing required no jeans, altered T-shirts, or cutoffs. Clothing that can damage, destroy or harm other patrons or the facilities are prohibited.
- Fitness shoes only-no work boots, sandals, or open toed shoes will be permitted.
- No foods, drinks, or gum (water permitted).
- Permission must be granted before any alterations may be made to equipment or facilities.
- Patrons must abide by all policies set forth by the fitness staff. Such policies may include, but are not limited to, regulations regarding proper usage of equipment, proper sanitary considerations, or risk management issues.
Outdoor Area Regulations
- Do not mark any fields without permission of the Department of Recreational Sports.
- No motor vehicles are allowed on the fields at any time without permission of the Department of Recreational Sports.
- Any structures, such as tents, must be approved prior to the event.
- No stakes or posts may be placed into fields without first contacting the Department of Recreational Sports for utilities approval.
- Weapons are not permitted.
- The possession or use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on all outdoor fields.
- Rollerblades, bicycle and skateboards are prohibited on the tennis courts.
- Golf practice is not permitted on any Recreational Sports field.
- Tennis nets may not be removed for any reason.