Facility Policies

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Space Guidelines

Gymnasium

Basketball – Courts are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The east court features half-court play on Friday nights and weekends. UM-Flint students, faculty and staff seeking full-court play may participate in Intramural Sports Leagues.

 Racquetball/Wallyball – Four racquetball courts (two can be used for wallyball) are available free of charge during all open building hours and are on a first-come, first serve basis.

Tennis – Available on the west gym court on a first-come, first-served basis. Use of the tennis court during the day is based on daily court schedule.  Feel free to contact member services for availability.

Volleyball/Badminton/Pickleball – Available on the middle court on a first-come, first-served basis.

Prohibited Activities – To ensure safety for all the participants the following are not allowed inside the Rec Center: soccer balls (except futsal), throwing/batting a softball/baseball/lacrosse/outdoor cricket ball, throwing/kicking a football, wearing rollerblades/skates, using floor hockey sticks/fencing swords, frisbees, or using other types of hard projectiles and stick-like objects during open recreation.

Strength Training Areas

• See youth policies for age restrictions
• Do not drop dumbbells, bars, plates or machine weights.
• Secure all plates with collars on all barbell lifts.
• Lift with a spotter.
• Deadlifting must only be performed on the Olympic deadlift platform.
• Return all weight equipment to appropriate storage areas when done lifting.
• Shirts and shoes are required at all times.
• No food is allowed; beverages must be stored in non-glass, securely closed containers.
• Be respectful of other users.
• No bare feet, open-toed shoes, sandals, flip-flops, etc.

 Cardio Room

• See youth policies for age restrictions
• Shirts & shoes are required at all times
• No open toes, sandals, or flip-flops
• No food; beverages must be in non-glass containers that can be securely closed
• Do not monopolize or rest on machines

Track

• See youth policies for age restrictions
• Runners use the inside lane
• Walkers use the outside lane
• No more than two runners or walkers side by side
• Observe the directional arrow
• Keep moving at all times
• NO skates, bikes or strollers allowed
• No food; beverages must be in non-glass containers that can be securely closed
• No bare feet, open-toed shoes, sandals, flip-flops, etc.

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Safety

The Recreation Center’s primary safety resources are from the American College of Sports Medicine Health and the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association resources and best practices. University policies, as well as the Departments of Environmental Health & Safety, Public Safety & General Counsel, also provide crucial guidance to our work.

Emergency Procedures

Recreation Center employees, professional staff and building supervisors are trained to respond to an emergency in the manner appropriate to their position and certifications. Emergency action plans are available at staff workstations and are regularly reviewed with staff.

Automatic External Defibrillators

AEDs are located near the front counter, in the strength training area & on the pool deck.

Proper Footwear

Proper footwear is required in all areas of the Rec Center (other than the locker room and pool). No bare feet, open-toed shoes, sandals, flip-flops, etc.

Weapons

Possessing, wearing, carrying or using firearms or any other dangerous weapons is prohibited on any property owned, leased or controlled by the University of Michigan, except by properly authorized law enforcement officers.

Alcohol and Other Drugs

Regardless of age, alcohol is not permitted in the Rec Center at any time. Students, members and guests should not possess, transport, consume, or be in the presence of alcohol in any area of the Rec Center. The possession, use, sale, distribution, or manufacture of any illegal substance and the possession of drug/smoking paraphernalia is prohibited in the Rec Center. Possession, use, or distribution of alcohol or illicit drugs may lead to a referral to the appropriate local, state, and/or federal authorities for prosecution for a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the nature of the offense. The sanctions for such offenses may include fines and/or imprisonment.

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Children and Youth Policies

Guest passes and memberships for children (17 and under) are discounted and limited to designated areas in the Recreation Center. All children must be sponsored by an adult aged 18 or older with a valid ID form. Children 12 and under must be directly supervised in the same space at all times by an adult. Please refer to the chart below for designated areas of use.

Space/Activity	Age 12 & Under	Ages 13–17
Gymnasium	Requires direct adult supervision	Requires a parent or adult to remain in the facility
Racquetball Courts	Requires direct adult supervision	Requires a parent or adult to remain in the facility
Activities Area	Requires direct adult supervision	Requires a parent or adult to remain in the facility
Pool	Requires direct adult supervision	Requires a parent or adult to remain in the facility
Whirlpool Spa & Saunas	Not permitted	Requires a parent or adult to remain in the facility
Fitness Classes	Not permitted	Requires direct adult supervision
Track	Not permitted	Requires direct adult supervision
Weight Room / Strength Area	Not permitted	Requires direct adult supervision
Cardio Room	Not permitted	Requires direct adult supervision
Locker Rooms	See locker room notes below	See locker room notes below

Locker Room Notes:

• Children 5 & under may use any locker room with adult supervision.
• Children 6 & over must use either:
  • Their gender-specific locker room, or
  • The inclusive locker room (lower level) includes a private shower, restroom, and day-use lockers.

Aquatics

Spa Usage

In addition to the general pool guidelines above, the following rules must be adhered to for the safety of all patrons wishing to utilize the spa:

• UM-Flint requires that each person shower before entering the pool.
• Children ages 12 and younger are not allowed to use the whirlpool spa for their safety and well-being. Youths ages 13 – 17 must be accompanied by their parent or sponsor, who must remain in the spa enclosure.
• The whirlpool spa is designed for people who wish to sit and relax. Swimming, diving, dunking, splashing, etc., are not allowed, and sitting, standing, or walking on top of the tub is prohibited.
• If the chemical and/or temperature level does not meet the standard requirements established for operation and usage, or if there are mechanical problems, the spa will be closed for the period necessary to correct conditions. No memberships will be prorated for this reason.

Sauna Usage

• A dry-heat sauna is in the male and female pool locker room.  Please check out a key at the front desk to enter the appropriate locker room.
• Do not apply water, oil, or any other substance to the sauna’s heating element or rocks.
• For their safety and well-being, children 12 and younger are not allowed to use the saunas. Youths 13 – 17 must be accompanied by their parent or sponsor while in the sauna.

Other General Policies

Special Accommodations

The University of Michigan-Flint Rec Center strives to meet the needs of all users. To discuss special accommodations, please see administrative staff.

Animals

Animals of any kind are not allowed in the Rec Center except registered ADA service animals.

Food & Drinks

Food is allowed in the vending area only. Groups may have food in other designated spaces with a reservation. Water and other drinks in non-glass containers securely closed are acceptable in all spaces.

Lost and Found

Items found in the Rec Center are retained in the Business Office for 30 days. At that time, all articles became the property of the Rec Center and were donated to a local charity or given to the Department of Public Safety. Please inquire during Business Office hours if you believe you may have lost belongings at the Rec Center.

Unclaimed Locker Property

Items not picked up after the rental period has concluded will be stored in the office for 30 days. At that time, they are donated to a local charity or given to the UM-Flint Department of Public Safety.

Checking Out Equipment

Equipment checked out at the Front Counter must be checked back in before you leave the Rec Center. When you check out an item, a record is created on the computer, and you must inform the attendant when you return items so that your account record is cleared for each daily visit. Fees are assessed based on the value of non-returned items.

Personal Trainers & Coaches

The University of Michigan-Flint is a state-funded institution; our buildings and resources may not be used for private/individual monetary benefit. Individuals who want to provide personal training or coaching service must make contractual arrangements to rent space at the Recreation Center in accordance with University of Michigan policies and procedures.

Videos & Photography

Approval must be obtained from the Rec Center Administration before videotaping or photographing its participants in the Rec Center. During videotaped events, please inform staff if you do not want your photo used in print or social media.

Preemption of Space

During camps, sports games, and other special events, various activity spaces may become unavailable for open recreational usage for a set period of time. Schedules will be posted notifying members, students, and day pass patrons.

Conduct

The department of Recreational Services’ philosophy is to provide a safe, comfortable atmosphere and strive to protect and respect the rights of all patrons and participants. The conduct policy is implemented to serve as a basis for governing the use of all facilities and programs overseen by the department. Incidents not covered by a given policy will be addressed upon occurrence.

Patrons observing inappropriate behavior should report such behavior to a Recreational Services staff member immediately.

Prohibited Conduct

1. General use of obscene, profane, vulgar, derogatory, or demeaning language and/or gestures, or verbal abuse of patrons, students, staff members or others
2. Spitting
3. Disregarding facility usage policies & procedures, including signage
4. Entering the facility by means other than proper check-in procedures, including using a false I.D. or another person’s I.D. for admission into the building
5. Damage to UM-Flint facilities or property (whether restitution is made may mitigate the severity of the sanction imposed)
6. Attempted or actual theft of UM-Flint property, services, or other personal property.
7. Harassment of patrons, students, staff members or others
8. Attempting, causing or threatening violence and/or physical harm
9. Threats, verbal or otherwise, directed at patrons, staff members or others
10. Sexual misconduct, including but not limited to exhibitionistic & obscene behavior
11. Violation of Rec Center policies or procedures
12. Violation of UM-Flint policy or local, state or federal regulations or laws

Sanctions

Engaging in any prohibited conduct outlined above may result in sanction(s) as determined by the Recreational Services administration or the Office of the Dean of Students. Some of the factors influencing the nature of the sanction(s) include the severity of the prohibited conduct at issue and whether the person is a repeat offender of the conduct policy. Sanctions for engaging in prohibited conduct may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Verbal warning by Recreational Services staff
• Restitution
• Expulsion from Recreation facilities for the remainder of the day
• Expulsion from Recreation facilities/programs for a specified period of time, e.g. one day, ninety days, one year, five years, etc.
• Permanent expulsion from Recreation facilities/programs
• Actions from DPS in response to criminal conduct

Appeal Process

Those wishing to appeal a sanction made by Recreational Services should send a written request for appeal (letter or email) to the appropriate office below within thirty days of the date on the communication issuing sanctions.  

Your appeal must include your name, current address, and phone number. The director of the respective office will review your appeal and issue a final decision regarding the sanction(s). 

Students

Dean of Students
359 University Center
303 E. Kearsley Street
Flint, Michigan 48502
Flint.DeanofStudents@umich.edu

Non-Students

sancrant@umich.edu
Sr. Director Health & Wellness
264 University Center
303 E. Kearsley Street
Flint, Michigan 48502

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