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Policies

Earlham seeks to provide all of our community members with the support and resources they need to thrive. Below, find important resources that are designed to help you in your day-to-day work.

  • For safety and/or facility maintenance reasons, appropriate sport or exercise clothing and footwear is required for participants. Please see each respective section for specific requirements.
  • Jeans, zippers, belts, snaps, metal studs, and other materials on clothing that may damage equipment, upholstery, or flooring are not permitted.
  • Bags and personal clothing must be stored in cubbies or day lockers.
  • Do not spit on the floor or walls.
  • Audio/video equipment in activity areas is operated by Athletics and Wellness staff only.  Music played through speakers is only allowed in spaces designated by athletics and Wellness staff.
  • Activity spaces are available for drop-in use when not reserved.
  • Baby strollers/carriers are not allowed in the activity areas. Stroller parking is available under the main hallway staircase.
  • Hypoxic training is not permitted in the Athletics and Wellness Center or in auxiliary facilities when staff are supervising activities.  This includes, but is not limited to, breath-hold training in pool areas and the use of oxygen deprivation masks.
  • Blood flow restriction training is not permitted in the Athletics and Wellness Center or in auxiliary facilities when staff are supervising activities.
  • Bags cannot be worn while engaged in physical activity unless otherwise permitted for medical purposes.
  • Area-specific policies for the Courts, Group Fitness Room, Energy Center, Indoor Running Track, Climbing Wall, Aquatic Facilities, and Locker Rooms can be found in the Policies section of our website.

Earlham College reaffirms its commitment, in all its activities and processes, to treat all people equally, without concern for age, gender, sexual orientation, race, nationality or ethnic origin.

Wellness Programs is dedicated to providing inclusive services, programs, and facilities to all persons, and welcomes participants and visitors reflective of all characteristics including age, culture, different ideas and perspectives, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and expression, geographical background, marital status, national origin, race, religious and spiritual beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and veteran status.

  • Bigotry or disparagement of others has no place within Athletics and Wellness Center facilities, programs, or services.
  • Verbal or written abuse, threats, intimidation, violence, or other forms of harassment towards participants or staff will not be tolerated.
  • All participants and staff are expected to respect the rights of others and to be civil, effective citizens of the Earlham community.
  • Athletics and Wellness Center patrons may participate in programs and utilize facilities based on their asserted gender identity.

Athletics and Wellness Center policies are designed for the protection of participants, employees, facilities, and equipment. Participants are of all ages including children. All participants should be mindful and respectful of others around them.

  • Appropriate language is expected.
  • Participants may not interfere with employee duties, use obscene language, or engage in verbal or physical abuse of employees or other participants.
  • Participants must observe all posted signs and verbal directions provided by Athletics and Wellness Center staff.
  • Use of drug, alcohol, and tobacco products are not permitted at Athletics and Wellness Center facilities or program venues. Attendees or participants identified as impaired will be removed from facilities or program activities.
  • Attempts to use another member’s Earlham ID or Athletics and Wellness Center Membership Card or providing an identification card for another’s use violates College regulations and the Student Conduct Code.  Consequences may include confiscation of the card and suspension from Athletics and Wellness Center facilities and/or program participation.
  • Use of Athletics and Wellness Center facilities for personal gain violates College policy relating to facilities, services, or solicitations, and is prohibited at all program venues.
  • Conducting research or testing for academic reasons or any other reason in the Athletics and Wellness Center is permitted with prior approval from the Wellness Programs staff. Requests to conduct research within the Athletics and Wellness Center must be sent to the Coordinator for Facilities at least 2 weeks in advance.
  • No skateboards, hoverboards, longboards, Heely shoes, scooters, bikes, pets, cleats or rollerblades are permitted in the Athletics and Wellness Center. Bicycle and skateboard racks are available outside the front entrance of the Center.
  • In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, service dogs or mini horses are permitted in the Athletics and Wellness Center. Service animals should be registered with the Resources for Disabled Students Office prior to visiting the facility.
  • Athletics and Wellness Center staff are not authorized to cut off bike locks stored outside of the Athletics and Wellness Center. Contact the Public Safety office at 765-983-1400 for assistance with bike locks.
  • Emotional support animals are not allowed in the Athletics and Wellness Center.
  • Individuals under the age of 16 must be accompanied and directly supervised by responsible adult in all areas of facility.
  • For sanitation and safety reasons and to protect the facility and equipment, participants are required to wear clothing appropriate to activity area. Consult the General Activity Area Guidelines section.

Memberships are nonrefundable unless you are separating from the College or have a documented medical excuse. All refunds are subject to a $5 processing fee and can take up to two weeks to be processed.

Start your wellness journey

The Wellness Center is the most complete recreation facility in the Richmond and Wayne county area. We are pleased to serve our community as a leading wellness resource.

Membership information

Trueblood Fieldhouse

  • Games are first-come, first-served.
  • Games are regulated by players.
  • Closed toe, closed heel, non-marking athletic shoes required.
  • Scheduled drop-in activities and reservations receive priority. Drop-in recreation schedule can be found on the Wellness Programs Website.
  • In the Trueblood Fieldhouse, bags and personal clothing may not be left on the floors, or window ledges.

  • Hours for drop-in badminton are noted on the Wellness Programs website.
  • When two or more badminton players are present, non-badminton users must vacate the court.

  • Snapping, grabbing, or hanging from the basketball rims is prohibited.
  • Priority goes to 5-on-5 full court games.

  • Hours for drop-in soccer are noted on the Wellness Programs website.
  • Outdoor soccer balls are not permitted in any Athletics and Wellness Center activity spaces.
  • Indoor soccer balls are available for checkout at the Welcome desk for indoor use.
  • Indoor soccer is to only be played on the Trueblood Fieldhouse Courts.

  • Hours for drop-in volleyball are noted on the Wellness Programs website.
  • When four or more volleyball players are present, non-volleyball users must vacate the court.

  • Contact an Energy Center Supervisor for basic equipment assistance.
  • Exercise attire such as sweat pants, t-shirts, and shorts are required. Shirts and tank tops covering the torso must be worn.
  • Athletic shoes required. No open-toed shoes, no bare feet or flip- flops.
  • No cut-off shorts or jeans with metal rivets.
  • Please wipe down equipment after each use with the provided cleaning supplies.
  • No food or drinks except water bottles.
  • All bags/backpacks must be locked in a locker or stowed in a cubbyhole. Not on Energy Center floor.
  • You are responsible for all of your personal items and valuables.
  • Re-rack all weights to their appropriate racks.
  • Collars are required on all Olympic-size bars
  • Spotters on squat racks and Olympic benches are strongly recommended.
  • Slamming or dropping free weights or weight stacks is prohibited.
  • No equipment shall leave the Energy Center at any time.
  • No Bluetooth Speakers are allowed. personal stereos with headphones are acceptable.
  • Televisions shall remain muted at all times.
  • Report any equipment malfunctions or personal injuries to Energy Center Supervisor.
  • Please ask the Energy Center Supervisor for assistance on the proper use of equipment.
  • Personal towels are strongly recommended.
  • An adult must accompany children under 16. Children under 12 are not permitted in the Energy Center.

  • Non-marking shoes required.
  • Runners and walkers on track only – no spectators.
  • Run/walk in direction of arrow indicated at track entrances.
  • Run on inside lanes and walk on outside lane.
  • More than two abreast is not permitted.
  • Weight equipment not permitted on the track.
  • Lunging is permitted in the outside (walking) lane only.  Lunging patrons must follow the direction of the track at all times and are not permitted to have weight equipment on the track.

  • Non-marking shoes required, bare feet or socks allowed.
  • All equipment must remain in the room and is for use during scheduled classes only.
  • Return equipment to its original storage location after use.
  • Drop-in use is permitted when studio is not scheduled.
  • Placing powders or any other substances on the floor is not permitted. Damage to the floor could result in fees or closure of the space.
  • No standing on exercise balls.
  • Drop-in use ends 10 minutes prior to all reservations.
  • An auxillary cord connection is available to play music when the studio is not scheduled.

  • Valid Earlham ID Card or Athletics and Wellness Center Membership Card must be presented to Welcome desk or Climbing Wall staff prior to climbing to verify membership and belay eligibility.
  • Participants ages 3-15 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
  • Participants must be 16 years or older to belay.
  • All personal climbing equipment must pass inspection by Climbing Wall staff, personal ropes are prohibited.
  • Loose chalk is strictly prohibited. Climbers must show that they are using a chalk ball before receiving a wristband. Random “chalk checks” can occur while climbing, and climbers caught using loose chalk will be suspended from the wall for one week.
  • Closed toed, closed heel footwear is required in climbing area – no bare feet.
  • Active spotting and pad placement for bouldering is strongly recommended.
  • Climbers wishing to belay either top-rope or lead climbing must pass an annual test administered by Climbing Wall staff.
  • Seated belaying is prohibited.
  • Rope climbing on the climbing towers is available only during hours that the Climbing Wall is staffed.
  • Climbing above or below another climber is prohibited.

Aquatic Facility

Athletics and Wellness Center is not responsible for lost/stolen or damaged items. Do not leave valuables such as jewelry, wallets, electronic devices, or credit cards unsecured.

  • Locks are available for purchase at the Welcome desk.
  • Day lockers and locks must be cleared at the end of the night. Locks left on day use lockers overnight will be cut off and contents removed.
  • Personal articles may not be secured on outside of locker.

  • Complimentary sweat towels are available at the welcome desk. Towels for showers are not provided.
  • Semester and annual lockers are available for rent on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Lockers must be renewed or cleared by the last day of the rental contract.
  • At the end of the rental contract, clear locker of personal items.
  • Personal items left in lockers at the end of the rental contract period are held for three weeks after the locker expiration date before being disposed of according to approved college procedures.
  • Personal toiletry items such as cleansing products, hair care products, razors, wash clothes, etc., are not held, but disposed of for sanitation reasons.
  • Personal articles may not be secured on outside of locker.

Weber Pool

  • Do not run or dive in the pool area.
  • Do not perform hypoxic/breath-hold training. Pool users must take at least one breath for every length of the pool. Intentional hyperventilation is not permitted.
  • Do not dunk, push, chicken-fight or other rough play.
  • Take a cleansing shower before entering.
  • Use locker rooms for changing of clothes and diapers.
  • Do not enter if you have a communicable disease or open wound(s).
  • Spitting, nasal discharge, urination, etc. in the pool or spa are not permitted.
  • Upon request by a lifeguard, patrons must be able to swim 25 yards or may be restricted to certain areas of the pool.
    • This policy is based on aquatic industry standards.

  • Use only Coast Guard approved floatation devices (a limited supply is available on the pool deck).
  • Use the toys provided – no personal toys permitted in pool area.
  • Do not climb or walk on Lifeguard chairs.  They are for on-duty lifeguards only.
  • Do not hang on lane lines.

  • Wear attire specifically designed for swimming.  No cut-offs or workout attire.
  • Wear flip flops or go barefoot on the pool deck.  No street shoes permitted on the pool deck.

  • A guardian must be present and within an arm’s reach of any child using a floatation device.
  • Use swim diapers – no paper or cloth diapers.

General Fitness

  • Class participation is on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Notify the instructor of any physical considerations you have before class begins.
  • Return equipment to designated storage space.
  • Wellness Program fitness classes and personal training sessions are suitable for all fitness levels and do not require previous experience. Our instructors are trained to challenge participants; however, please remember to listen to and honor your body’s strengths, weaknesses, or any existing injuries. If you feel discomfort or dizziness, discontinue exercising and notify the instructor.

  • Some classes are self-limiting due to available equipment.
  • Group fitness classes are included with membership and offered on a drop-in basis.

  • Clients must complete a Fitness Assessment prior to participating in personal training sessions.
  • Fitness Assessments are valid for one year.  For example, a client must complete another fitness assessment before engaging in personal training sessions if their fitness assessment was conducted more than one year prior.
  • Clients must complete the Exercise Pre-Participation Health Screening Questionnaire (Page 2 of Personal Training Registration Packet) to determine whether or not a Physician Referral Form is required before the Fitness Assessment can be conducted.
  • Clients must schedule and pay for appointments 48 hours in advance at the Welcome desk.
  • Participants have one year to utilize personal training sessions from date of purchase.
  • Cancellations and changes are accepted 24 hours before the scheduled appointment date.
  • Personal Training Sessions are non-refundable unless client has substantiated medical reasons with physician documentation provided. All refunds are subject to a $5 processing fee and can take up to two weeks to be processed.
  • Wellness Programs fitness classes and personal training sessions are suitable for all fitness levels and do not require previous experience. Our instructors are trained to challenge participants; however, please remember to listen to and honor your body’s strengths, weaknesses, or any existing injuries. If you feel discomfort or dizziness, discontinue exercising and notify the instructor.

Policy Violations

Athletics and Wellness Center staff reserve the right to ask a patron to leave and deny facility and/or program access for policy violation.

  • Individuals that have violated policy may have their memberships suspended and will be required to meet with a designated Wellness Programs professional staff member.  That meeting must be arranged in advance and will occur during normal business hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
    • The individual will receive notification of any applicable suspension or sanctions. 
    • Individuals may appeal the decision by filing a Sanction Appeal Form.  This form must be completed within three business days (M-F) of notification of sanction. A decision on the appeal will be emailed within five working days of receipt of the form.
  • Athletics and Wellness Center staff may also refer students to the Student Life Office for further investigation and discipline.
  • Participants are required to present their Earlham ID Card or Athletics and Wellness Center Membership Card to authenticate/validate eligibility for Wellness Program services. 
  • Situations or circumstances not covered on this website will be addressed and resolved by Athletics and Wellness Center staff