Recreation Policies and Procedures

• Participating in any activity in the NU fitness centers is voluntary. Individuals assume all risk when engaging in any activities in the NU fitness centers.
• Memberships are required for all non-Norwich students, staff, and faculty.
• Use of the fitness centers is prohibited outside of posted facility hours.
• Food is not allowed in the fitness centers. All drinks must be in a closed container.
• Glass containers are not permitted.
• Clean up after yourself and throw away all trash.
• Personal training or classes are not permitted in the fitness centers.
• Video or photography in the fitness centers is not permitted without prior approval.
• Norwich University reserves the right to close the fitness centers due to operational or safety concerns.

• Equipment use is on a first-come, first-served basis. Be courteous to others and vacate equipment and benches between sets. Be willing to allow others to work in between sets.
• Moving machines are not permitted.
• Wipe down all machines, mats, and equipment after use.
• Return all free weights, plates, and other equipment to racks or storage areas.
• All weight training should be performed in a controlled, safe manner. Dropping, slamming, or banging weights is not permitted.
• Weights and bars should not lean against any equipment, mirrors, or walls.
• Collars are required for all plate-loaded free-weight lifts or for any free-bar lifts with plates.
• If there are any issues with the equipment or machines, please report them to the fitness center staff. Do not try to fix it yourself.

• Outside shoes are not allowed to be worn in the facility. Please bring a pair of shoes to change into.
• For the comfort of other members, all gym users must wear shirts. Appropriate athletic attire is required.
• Bare feet, open-toed shoes, or slip-on shoes without a heel strap are not permitted. Members must wear shoes in all areas of the facility except for the pool, martial arts room, stretch areas, and barefoot group fitness classes.
• For the care of our equipment, denim shorts/pants and cargo shorts/pants (and any other clothing with hardware such as zippers, buttons, key rings, rivets, etc.) may not be worn.
• Headphones or earbuds are required for personal music listening.
• Be respectful of other members using the facility.
• Be respectful of the fitness staff and comply with their directions and safety/policy requests.
• Be aware of your workout space. Check the surroundings for others’ safety and avoid blocking mirrors or other workout areas. 

• Do not leave bags or belongings on the gym floor.
• Norwich University is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

• Faculty and staff lockers are available. Please reach out to the Director of Recreation to get an assigned locker.
  • Locks are provided by NU and should not be removed.
• Sections in both locker rooms labeled “Day Use Only” are first-come first first-served.
  • Day-use lockers are not permitted to be locked overnight.

• Norwich University recreation memberships are required to use the fitness spaces.
• Community members can purchase 1-, 3-, 5-, or 12-month memberships and find more information on the NU membership webpage.
• NU recreation membership includes access to the 1984 Fitness Center, Plumley Armory Fitness Center and locker room, pool, and Shapiro Climbing Wall.
• NU pool-only membership includes access to the Plumley locker room and pool only.
• Membership policies can be found on the NU membership webpage.

• Swimming and entering the water are permitted only when NU lifeguards are present.
• Patrons who fail to obey NU lifeguards or any pool rules will be subject to immediate removal from the facility and may lose membership and/or facility access. Additionally, recreation staff may refer the patron to the Commandant and/or the dean of students.
• Swimsuits are required. Other apparel for training purposes must be approved by pool management; this may include, but is not limited to, physical training gear (T-shirt, shorts), Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP), shoes, etc.
• No running on the pool deck, in changing rooms, or in hallways.
• No diving; you must enter feet first.
• No gum or tobacco.
• No outside shoes are allowed on the pool deck.
• Only approved, proper use of photography or video is permitted.
• Any person with a known communicable disease may not use the pool.
• Any person with an open wound may not use the pool. Adhesive bandages are not sufficient for wound coverage.
• Glass containers are not permitted in the natatorium or changing rooms.
• Pool patrons are not permitted to access storage closets or other areas restricted to staff.
• Only U.S. Coast Guard–approved flotation devices are allowed. Kickboards, pull buoys, and flippers must be used properly.
• Patrons may not hang on or play on float lines (lane lines) or dividers.
• Starting blocks and the 1-meter diving board are off limits to all pool patrons except trained swim and dive team members under the supervision of a coach approved by the university.
• Prohibited activities include breath holding; unapproved use of diving masks, snorkels, or scuba equipment; use of glass; running; rough play (throwing, tossing, flipping, shoulder rides, climbing, hanging, swinging, etc.); and misuse of pool equipment and/or facility areas (lane lines, ropes, railings, etc.).
• During busy lap-swim times, sharing lanes is required.

• The indoor track is on the second floor of Plumley Armory, overlooking Plumley Gymnasium.
• The track is one-ninth of a mile long (nine laps equal one mile).
• Please check the posted running direction on the sign at the track entrance before beginning your workout.
• No food or drink is permitted in the court area.
• Appropriate nonmarking footwear is required. No dress shoes, boots, or bare feet. Shirts are always required.
• Dunking or hanging on the rim is not permitted.
• During scheduled activities, those activities have priority for the court space. At other times, when there are no scheduled activities or groups, use of the court is first-come, first-served.

• All climbers must have an NU climbing wall waiver on file and must check in at the climbing wall front desk.
• Everyone who top rope climbs or belays must take and pass a belay test.
• A figure-eight knot with a stopper knot and an ATC belay device is required for the test.
• Waivers and belay tests are valid for one academic year.
• No climbing under another climber.
• No food or drink is allowed in the climbing area. Water is acceptable.
• Shoes must be worn at all times at the climbing wall and while climbing.
• Maximum occupancy is 15 people.
• Report all unsafe or damaged equipment to the climbing wall staff.
• All persons using NU climbing facilities are expected to respect others and conduct themselves in good order.
• No headphones while belaying or climbing.
• Climbing wall staff reserve the right to check harnesses, knots, safety systems, and related equipment at any time.
• Climbing wall staff reserve the right to ask a patron to leave if they are deemed unsafe or in violation of these policies.

Lead climbing

• Climbing wall policies apply.
• Everyone lead climbing must have a current lead belay and lead climbing certification.
• No skipping clips.
• No taking “whippers” for fun.
• Spotting the climber for the first clip is required.
• The use of a movable pad for the first clip is highly recommended.
• Assisted braking devices, such as a GriGri or Cinch, must be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions; however, you must test with an ATC.

Bouldering

• All climbers must have an NU climbing wall waiver on file and must check in.
• The use of a spotter and movable pads is highly encouraged, and their use is the responsibility of the climber.
• No climbing under another climber.
• No climbing above the marked line.

All patrons using NU climbing facilities are expected to respect others and conduct themselves in good order.

Climbing wall staff reserve the right to ask a patron to leave if they are deemed unsafe or in violation of these policies.

• Reservations: Equipment is rented on a first-come, first-served basis. NU organization/group rentals must be requested 2 weeks in advance by emailing shawoc@norwich.edu. There is no cost for current NU students to rent equipment.
• Required Identification: Proper identification (Student ID or Driver's License) must be presented to rent equipment.
• Equipment Returns: All equipment is due back 30 minutes before closing. No equipment will be considered returned until it is inspected. Please plan accordingly and allow time for inspection.
• Late Fee: Equipment returned past due will be subject to a daily late fee. For each day late, the renter will be charged the daily rate(s) for the item(s) rented.
• Cleaning: Rental items must be clean when returned. A minimum $10 per item cleaning fee will be charged for equipment that must be cleaned.
• Damage/Loss: The renter is responsible for all costs of repair or replacement.
• Helmets: Helmets are included with bicycle and sled rentals, and their use is strongly recommended.
• Responsibility: It is the responsibility of the renter to know how to use the requested equipment. The renter may ask a staff member for clarification about proper use; however, such an explanation is not a substitute for professional training by a certified instructor. Renters must check all equipment before leaving the Shaw Outdoor Center and agree to accept the equipment “as is.”

• No Hunting or Trapping
• No Cutting of Live Trees and Plants
• No Unauthorized: Motorized vehicles, camping, or fires

Norwich University Trail Etiquette

• Leave No Trace. Carry out what you carry in.
• Stay on designated trails.
• Keep bikes under control and at a safe speed.
• Bikes must yield the right-of-way to other trail users.
• Dogs must be on a leash or under the owner’s immediate control.
• All trails are multidirectional except the Orange Trail, which is downhill biking only.

Emergencies: Call Norwich University Security at 802-485-2525 or dial 911.

Allowable Uses

• Hiking
• Biking
• Class 1 eMTB (pedal-assisted and limited to 20 mph)
• Cross-Country Skiing
• Backcountry Skiing
• Snowshoeing
• Sledding
• Snowmobiling on designated VAST trail only

Access

Norwich University trails are open to the public. Please respect private, Norwich University, and Northfield Town property.