Vassar College Athletics

Vassar College Office of Athletics
Athletic Facilities Regulations and ID Policy

Please note that Vassar classes take priority over community usage of facilities.

All Vassar College Athletic facilities (including the pool, locker rooms, squash courts, etc.) will now be open to members of the campus community, Emeriti faculty and their families at full capacity.

Please note that the following guidelines will be in place for all individuals using the athletic facilities:

• General: if you are feeling sick, please stay home and do not attempt utilize the athletic facilities.
• Reservations: Reservations for the pool, fitness center, indoor track and AFC gym are no longer required.
• Guests: At this time, we are not permitting guests of Vassar community members to use the athletic facilites. Please respect this policy, and do not bring guests with you when you visit. We will be reviewing this policy as the situations change and adjust it if possible.

Please note additional reminders about our polices for indoor athletic facility use:

• All patrons must be prepared to present a valid Vassar ID upon request. Those under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
• Before visiting the athletic facilities, a family member of a Vassar employee must obtain a valid Vassar ID. Please contact Human Resources (humanresources@vassar.edu) for assistance with the ID process. An ID card issued to a member of an employee's family will allow access to the athletic facilites (and the Library).

Effective October 2020

Mission Statement

The Vassar College Office of Athletics and Department of Physical Education strive to provide a comfortable and safe recreational facility and experience that is free of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, gender, color, national origin, marital status or religious belief. We further aim to provide an atmosphere that welcomes diversity and embraces tolerance.

ALL FACILITY USE REGULATIONS
General rules and regulations must be respected and followed by all users of facilities. These rules are applicable to all Vassar College athletic facilities; they include but are not limited to the following:

• Propping of doors is prohibited and grounds for removal from the property. Anyone found to be assisting entrance for unauthorized guests through other doors will be asked to leave the facility. Facility privileges for habitual offenders will be subject to suspension.
• The use of tobacco (cigarettes, chewing tobacco, etc.), alcohol, drugs, firearms or explosives at any Vassar College athletic facility is strictly prohibited. Any individual under the influence of alcohol or other drugs will not be permitted to use any Vassar College athletic facility.
• The use of decorations/signs must be approved by the Associate Athletic Director for Facilities & Events. The use of nails, tacks, staples, screws, duct tape, packing tape, or foam mounting tape on any surface is prohibited.
• Under no circumstances shall unattended vehicles be allowed to park in fire lanes, by fire hydrants, blocking driveways/gate, in handicap spaces, in handicap accessible routes, or other unauthorized areas such as sidewalks, parking islands, grass areas or playfields unless dictated by parking attendant.
• Children under the age of 4 are prohibited from all activity areas.
• All patrons must be 16 years of age and be prepared to present a valid Vassar ID upon request. 
• Vassar College Athletics is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
• Only authorized employees of the College are permitted to have keys to Vassar Athletic Facilities.
• Shirts and proper footwear are required.
• Observe all emergency exit signage.
• All trash should be picked up and placed in trash cans
• Food and gum are prohibited on all playing surfaces. Additional rules for specific facilities as noted.
• Use of cameras and video equipment is prohibited without prior approval.
• Violation of rules included here or other posted policies, malicious use or defacing of property, spitting, solicitation, verbal abuse of employees, or other violations of Institute policy will be investigated by staff, Public Safety and/or local authorities. Non-compliant individuals to any of the rules may be asked to leave the facility or may have privileges suspended.

Additional rules specific to each facility are listed below.
Access to the Athletics and Fitness Center/Walker Field House is generally restricted to members of the Vassar community, their registered guests or family members, prospective students, and external users who are contracted with the college and/or are attending a college sponsored program. Users are strongly discouraged from bringing in pets (except for service animals) to indoor facilities. Pets are prohibited from any playing surfaces. PLEASE NOTE: At this time, guests are not allowed in the Athletics and Fitness Center/Walker Field House.

ID Policy
All users must enter through the main entrance to the AFC and swipe a valid identification card at the front desk. Anyone found to be assisting entrance for unauthorized guests through other doors will be asked to leave the facility. Facility privileges for habitual offenders will be subject to suspension.

Any family member of a Vassar employee MUST contact Human Resources and go through the process of requesting a valid Vassar ID to enter the facility. Children, age 15 and younger of faculty and staff must be accompanied, and directly supervised by a Vassar ID card holder (at least 18 years of age).

The purpose of the ID policy is to:

• Provide a safe and comfortable recreational facility for authorized users.
• Maintain the security of the building and equipment within.
• Prevent unauthorized use of the facilities

Shoe Policy

• Users of the AFC are encouraged to bring clean shoes to work out in the Fitness Center, Gym or Walker Bays. Users can change shoes in the Atrium area before using any facilities or equipment.
• Black-soled or marking shoes are prohibited in the Gym, Walker Bays and Multi-Purpose Room.
• We ask that users be mindful of the mud, dirt or snow on their shoes before entering the AFC. During inclement weather, we ask that users take care to minimize the tracking of dirt, mud and snow into the AFC.

Free Weight Area

• Do not drop or throw weights.
• Do not step, stand, or rest bars or dumbbells on upholstered benches.
• Use proper form and technique. Due to the high risk of injury, the Fitness Center recommends you utilize a spotter when training with free weights.
• Use safety stops at all times.
• Remove plates from bars when finished.
• Return all plates, dumbbells, and accessories to the appropriate racks when finished.
• Wipe off the equipment when you are finished.
• No Olympic lifts allowed, including any type of deadlifts.

Fitness & Weight Room

• Physical Education class members will have priority on all machines during class time.
• With the exception of water bottles, no food or water will be permitted in the fitness center.
• Sandals and flip-flops will not be permitted in the fitness center.
• Disinfectant wipes are provided to wipe down all machines. Users should clean machines following each use.
• Please report any inappropriate activity, problems or injury immediately to the desk.

General Fitness Area

• Show respect and courtesy toward Fitness Center staff, equipment, and other members at all times.
• Inappropriate conduct or misuse of equipment is at the discretion of the Assistant Director for Sport Camps and Recreation, Associate Athletic Director for Facilities & Events and/or on-duty supervisor and may result in a loss of membership privileges.
• Persons with open wounds or communicable diseases are not permitted to use the Fitness Center. Inform the Fitness Center staff if you develop a communicable disease.
• Read the instructions on equipment prior to use.

Running Track

• We ask that you adhere to the direction of running/walking that is indicated for each day. This will prolong the life of the track surface.
• The track will be closed during Varsity events in the gym.

Multi-Purpose Room

• The multi-purpose room is open for general use when no reservations have been made.

Basketball Gym

• Appropriate shoes must be worn at all times in the gym. No black soled shoes will be permitted.
• No unauthorized chairs are allowed on the gym floor. Any damage caused will be assessed and may result in loss of further use of facilities.
• Do not hang on the net or rim of the basket.

Locker Rooms

• Two locker rooms are available for community use in Walker Fieldhouse and are adjacent to the swimming pool available within the general locker room.
• Lockers in the general locker rooms are for same day use only. Overnight storage in lockers is prohibited. Locks will be cut on a regular basis and contents will be stored in the lost and found

  Swimming Pool General Rules

• Lap swimming will be given priority in all lanes except lane 1.
• We ask that all parents please educate and be attentive of children using the pool.
• We ask that inexperienced swimmers be aware of their limitations and take proper precautions to prevent any injuries.
• All children under the age of 6 must have a parent in the pool with them at ALL times.
• Vassar College ID is required for admittance to open swim times. For approved guests, a sign in on the pool deck is required.
• The lifeguard has FINAL authority on all issues. These rules are designed for your safety. Any inappropriate actions, problems or injuries should be reported immediately to the lifeguard.
• Candy, food or beverages are not allowed except in designated areas provided for eating or drinking. No glass items is permitted in the facility.
• There is NO SWIMMING without a lifeguard on duty.
• Vassar coaches of non-aquatic sports may use the pool for training purposes, but only after scheduling it with the Associate AD for Facilities and Events and a VC verified certified life-guard can be scheduled.
• Thunderstorm/lightning: the pool will close for 30 minutes from the conclusion of the last lightning/thunderstorm. Pool users will be cleared from deck.
• The pool, or any part thereof, may be closed for maintenance operations, health conditions, weather conditions, or any reason deemed sufficient by the athletic directors.
• No roughhousing or games involving holding breath under water is allowed.
• Starting blocks and diving boards are for trained swimmers and divers only and are only to be used at the discretion of the athletic directors or lifeguard currently on duty.
• Babies and young, non-toilet trained children must wear swim diapers. Diapers and clothing must be changed in the locker rooms only. There is absolutely no diaper changing on the pool deck.
• Hanging or swimming across lane lines is prohibited.
• Lifeguard(s) will provide assistance with the chair lift upon request.
• Individuals having easily noticeable skin lesions, inflamed eyes, mouth, nose, or ear discharge or carrying any communicable disease shall not be allowed in the pool.
• Lifeguard can apply additional rules to guarantee safety

Safety

• Diving from pool deck is allowed only in water OVER 8 feet deep.
• Use of flotation devices (i.e. rafts, floaties) is strictly prohibited.
• No running on the pool deck or in the locker room.
• No swimming under the bulkhead.
• The use of any toys or other items in the pool will be left to the discretion of the lifeguard on duty.
• Swimsuits are required (cut-offs are not permitted). Street clothes are not permitted in the pool.
• Users under the age of 18 must demonstrate a basic swimming proficiency for each academic semester and summer session to the lifeguard.
• Skill 1: Swim 25 yards of crawl or backstroke or a combination of the two without stopping, holding onto the lane line or wall.
• Skill 2: Tread water for 30 seconds (head must be kept above water surface for the entire time).
• Skill 3: Survival float for 1 minute (This must be a restful survival float during which the user is not treading water or struggling to keep the body near the surface.
• A record of those who have passed will be kept in the Lifeguard Manual.
• Anyone who is unable to pass this test must have a parent/ guardian 18 years of age or older in the water and directly supervising them at all times.
• All users must shower before entering the pool deck.

Diving Boards

• Diving well will only be open when two lifeguards are on duty.
• Use of the high dive is exclusively reserved for members and coaches of the Varsity Swimming and Diving team.
• No hanging from the end of the board.
• Only one bounce is permitted before jumping.
• Particular dives and stunts are at the discretion of the lifeguard on duty.
• Diver must swim to the edge of the pool after jumping.

Use of Equipment

• Pool patrons may use equipment (i.e. kickboards, pull buoys, aqua belts) available. This equipment is to be used for training purposes only, and not to substitute for a lack of swimming skills/ ability.
• Users of running belts, fins, etc. must rinse the equipment with fresh water before returning it to the proper place.
• Patrons must return all equipment to proper place, whether on pool deck or in equipment room.

• No Metal Cleats. Track shoes, soled athletic shoes or running shoes only on the track.
• No muddy shoes.
• Only specific maintenance equipment and emergency vehicles are permitted on the track and field.
• Cars are prohibited from parking in the fire lane to the fields. It should be used as a drop off area and cars should not remain there.
• No bicycles, skateboards, roller blades, scooters are permitted.
• Recreational users limited to outer track lanes.

• FieldTurf recommends using moulded plastic studs and avoiding metal or V-shaped studs. Studs must NEVER be more than 4 mm thick (0.16")
• Only freestanding field markers and sports equipment may be used.
• Spills or other foreign substances must be removed as quickly as possible.
• No open flames, BBQ grills or fireworks are permitted.
• No golfing, archery, javelin or discus events may be played on the track or turf.

All other grass field usage is prohibited at Prentiss Sports Complex.
  Squash
Please adhere to the following rules and guidelines while using the squash courts:

• Protective eyewear is mandatory. No exceptions!
• Clean, non-marking court shoes are required for court play.
• Doors must be closed during all activity.
• Squash related activities have priority over non-squash activities on the courts.

Volleyball

• Bicycles, skateboards, hover boards and roller blades are prohibited.
• Doors must remain locked unless there is an attendant present.