The Faculty/Staff Fitness Program
General Description
The University sponsors a Faculty-Staff Fitness Program over the noon hour on each day of the work week. Groups of faculty and staff members compete in most activities most days (e.g., aerobics, basketball, racquetball, swimming, tennis, volleyball). As part of this program, faculty and staff members pay a yearly fee to receive a locker, towel service, and access to many University athletic facilities. This year’s fee to join the program is $100. Faculty and staff members may sign up for the program at the towel cage in the basement of the Physical Education Building (PEB) between 10:45 AM and 1:15 PM, Monday through Friday. (Faculty and staff who are already members of the program, can renew their membership at the announced time.) If you have any questions about the program, please contact Fran McSweeney, fkmcs@wsu.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Program
Who?
The program is open to all Washington State University faculty and staff members.
What?
When you join the program, you gain access to many of the University’s athletic facilities (see “Where?” below). When you go to one of the facilities, you will usually join a group of faculty members who already play there. Because the Faculty/Staff Fitness Program is largely self organizing (with the exception of Aerobics), cultures differ across activities. Here’s a list of some of the available programs. If you don’t see your sport below, please enquire about it at the PEB Towel Cage.
- Aerobics – Because aerobics requires a teacher, there is an additional feel for this program (currently $50/semester). The aerobics class meets MWF 12:00 – 12:50 PM in Smith 115. For more information, please contact Muriel Oaks.
- Basketball – One or two courts (depending on volleyball demand) are available in PEB 144 and Smith 117. The courts are reserved for play by faculty and staff from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Teams are formed as people show up to create teams of approximately equal talent. Show up early because the courts are limited. For more information about basketball, please contact Ken Struckmeyer.
- Jogging – Tracks are available in the Field House and in the outdoor area adjacent to the Field House. The tracks are reserved for faculty and staff from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
- Racquetball – Racquetball courts can be found in the basement of PEB (8 courts) and in the Field House (2 courts). These courts are reserved for play by faculty and staff from 11:00 am – 1:00 PM, Monday through Friday. You can either bring your own opponent or show up and play with whoever’s there. Access to the courts is on a first-come first-served basis and you need to be there by noon to get a court in PEB. You can arrive later to play in the Field House. For more information, please contact Francis Benjamin for play in the Field House or Jim Boyer for play in PEB.
- Squash – The only squash courts currently available on campus are at the Student Recreation Center (SRC). You would need to join SRC to use those courts. Membership in SRC is currently independent of the Faculty/Staff Fitness Program. That is, joining either program does not grant you access to the other program’s facilities.
- Swimming
-
Open swimming is available in Smith pool for
faculty and staff from 12:00 to 1:00 PM on Tuesday
and Thursday.
Lap swimming is available in Gibb pool for faculty and staff from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and from 12:00 to 1:00 PM on Tuesday and Thursday. - Tennis – Tennis players meet at the outside tennis courts in good weather and in the Field House in bad weather. The courts are reserved for faculty and staff from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Anyone who comes, plays. Most of the players are at the 3.5 to 4.0 levels on the national tennis rating program. You might be uncomfortable if you are either a beginner or a very advanced player, but you could also organize a group at your level. For more information, please contact Fran McSweeney.
- Volleyball – As many as two volleyball courts are available in Smith 117. They are reserved for play by faculty and staff members from 11:00 am to 1:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
- Water Aerobics – Water aerobics classes are held from 12:00 to 1:00 PM Monday, Wednesday and Friday in Smith pool.
- Weight room – A weight room is available at noon for use by faculty and staff from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The people at the towel cage in the basement of PEB can provide more detailed information.
- Equipment Checkout – Equipment is available for no charge at the Towel Cage in PEB. Available equipment includes basketballs, volleyballs, racquetball racquets and goggles, and air pumps.
Where?
As indicated above, faculty and staff groups use most of the university athletic facilities. Many of these facilities are located in the gyms (Smith, Physical Education Building, and Bohler Athletic Complex), the Field House, and the outdoor track. A few facilities are located elsewhere (e.g., the outdoor tennis courts). The facilities that belong exclusively to Athletics are not available for the noon program (e.g., the Athlete’s weight room).
When?
The faculty program officially occurs primarily from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Relatively organized activities such as aerobics and swimming (requires a life guard) happen only at noon. However, many of the less formal activities (e.g., racquetball, tennis) may be played whenever the facilities are available (i.e., whenever they’re not occupied by a class).
Why?
Here are some reasons to participate in the program:
- It’s fun.
- You’ll meet other faculty and staff members from across the University.
- The conversation in the locker room will alter your understanding of University issues.
- Exercise is good for your health. It helps to prevent many major illnesses and improves both longevity and quality of life.
- It provides a good break in the middle of the day. As a result, it may enhance your productivity.
Cost?
This year’s fee is $100. Several people have mentioned that they can’t participate unless they can pay in smaller installments. Although that option is not currently available, we will work on providing it for the future.
What do I get for my fee?
The fee pays for a locker, towel service, and access to the athletic facilities. The locker room for female faculty and staff is located in the basement of Smith Gym. The locker room for male faculty and staff is located in the Physical Education Building (PEB). You will be given the code to enter the locker room when you sign up for the program.
How do I sign up?
Go to the towel cage in the basement of PEB. People are available to accept new members from 10:45 AM to 1:15 PM on week days. Continuing members will register again later in the semester at an announced time.
How is this program related to the Student Recreation Center (SRC)?
Currently, there is no relationship. The two programs are independent so that joining the SRC does not provide membership in the Faculty/Staff Fitness Program and vice versa.
How should I decide between membership in the SRC and the Faculty Fitness Program?
Here are some factors that you should consider.
- Availability – The Faculty/Staff Fitness Program is primarily held at noon, broadly defined, during the work week although, as indicated above, some activities are also available at other times. SRC is open long hours everyday, except for a two week closure (usually the last week in December and the first week in August).
- Cost – Joining the Faculty/Staff Fitness Program currently costs $100/year. A faculty membership in SRC currently costs $419/year.
- Facilities – Some facilities are only available in at SRC and some are only available through the Faculty/Staff Fitness Program. For example, tennis is available only through the Faculty/Staff Program. The Faculty/Staff program also has more racquetball courts than SRC. In contrast, SRC has more tread mills and other basic exercise equipment than the Faculty/Staff Program. It also has the only squash courts. Please be sure that the program provides the activities that you want before joining it.
- Facilities (continued) - The facilities at SRC are much more luxurious than those available through the Faculty/Staff Fitness Program.
- Other amenities – SRC offers massages, other wellness programs, adventure trips, etc. The Faculty/Staff program doesn’t offer additional programming.
- Programming – Except for Aerobics, activities in the Faculty/Staff Fitness Program are organized by the participants. In contrast, SRC offers many formal programs.
- Students – Although faculty members belong to SRC, that facility is primarily for students. In contrast, the Faculty/Fitness Program is open only to members of the faculty and staff.
Where do I get further information?
The people who staff the towel cage in the basement of PEB can answer many questions. You may also contact Fran McSweeney.
Warning If any of the information provided above is critical to your interest in the program, please check to make sure that it’s correct before signing up for the program.