Sommer Center
The Sommer Center strives to be a facility whose programs, services and activities promote good health, wellness and fitness education for all current students, faculty and staff.
| Regular building hours | Summer hours |
| Monday-Thursday: 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. Friday: 6 a.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday: 1 p.m. - 11 p.m. |
Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. |
General policies
- No wall hanging/display items may be placed in any public, common or reception area of the Sommer Center without approval from the university's art advisory committee. Requests for hanging items should be made to the director, who will present such requests to the committee for consideration.
- Publicity and notices are only permitted in designated areas and as approved by the director or designee. Publicity and notices found in undesignated areas will be removed.
Fitness and Weight Training Center
| Regular hours |
| Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Friday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sunday: closed |
Access
- Registered students (or recent graduates working on campus summer only)
- Faculty, staff and emeriti
- Guests of students: Current students may have one guest at a time. There is a $5 single-use guest fee. This fee only covers immediate use and does not grant multiple uses throughout the day. Guest must be 16 years or older and accompanied by a current student at all times.
- Prospective students: Must have special pass issued by the admissions office; single admission only; must be accompanied at all times by a current student, faculty or staff member; must be 16 years or older
- Conference guests: may use facilities only during summer months; must be 18 or older; $5 use fee
- Faculty and staff spouses during off-peak hours: Monday-Friday 6 a.m.-4 p.m., and 8:30-10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from during normal open hours
ID use
- All patrons using the fitness center must present a valid Bluffton ID.
- Intercollegiate athletes will not need to present IDs for athletics staff-organized weightlifting sessions. Athletics staff must be present or IDs will be required.
Risk statement/waiver
Use of the Fitness and Weight Training Center is a voluntary activity, and those using the fitness center understand that they do so at their own risk. Participants should be aware of the possibilities of bodily injury that may result from participation in fitness activities and programs. All injuries should be reported to staff on duty at the time of the injury.
Food and beverages
- No food is permitted in the fitness center.
- Noncarbonated beverages (water, Gatorade, Powerade) are permitted, but only in spill-proof containers (no glass or cans).
Attire
To promote the health and safety of all users of the fitness center, appropriate athletic attire is required at all times. Attire expectations have been established to help mitigate the transmission of MRSA, ringworm, staph, bacteria, fungi and other viruses between patrons.
- Shirts must be worn at all times. Full-back, sleeveless shirts; full, non-mesh T-shirts; or T-shirts which cover the entire torso, stomach, chest and back are required.
- Tank tops, bra tops or any shirts that do not cover the entire torso are not permitted.
- Button-down shirts are also not permitted.
- Athletic shorts or sweats are permitted. Not permitted are jeans or other pants with zippers or buttons, cut-off shorts or skirts. Shorts should cover the entire buttocks.
- Soft-soled, closed-toe athletic shoes are required. No boots, sandals or other open-toe shoes
- Avoid wearing large jewelry to prevent injuries. Earrings larger than a stud are not permitted. Keep necklaces underneath shirt.
Music and music players
- Only music players with headphones are permitted.
- Background music in the fitness center will be at the discretion of the Fitness and Weight Training Center attendant and set at an appropriate level for all users of the center.
- Teams may opt to have their own music played through the in-house system for designated team lifting times.
- All music played in the fitness center must meet campus standards and be free of profanity, discriminatory language, etc.
Televisions
- Televisions will be controlled by the Fitness and Weight Training Center attendants. TVs will be set to different channels but can be changed by the attendant at the request of patrons.
Equipment
- All equipment must remain in the fitness center. This includes all weights, plyo boxes, versa logs, balls, bands, etc.
Etiquette
- Return all equipment to its proper location after each use.
- Wipe down equipment after use using the towels/wipes provided.
- Report damaged equipment to fitness center staff.
- Share equipment during heavy use times.
- Avoid the fitness center if you are ill.
- Do not spit.
- Refrain from profanity and excessive shouting.
- Do not drop plates, dumbbells, Power Blocks or other free-weight equipment.
- Perform controlled reps only with weight equipment.
- Utilize spotters when necessary when lifting.
Temperature
- The fitness center will keep temperatures between 68 and 72 degrees as recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine.
Copeland Court
- Organized events should be reserved through the university reservation system.
- Soft-soled, closed-toe athletic shoes are required. No spikes, cleats, boots, sandals, other open-toe shoes or roller skates
- Only proper athletic marking tape or gaffers tape may be used on the floor.
- The court should be covered for all non-athletic, banquet and conference use.
- The court is not intended to be used for baseball, softball, floor hockey, etc. These activities are permitted in Burcky Gym.
Track
Hours
The walking track will be available for use whenever the building is open with the
exception of during athletics practices (weekdays 4-7 p.m.), athletics team competitions
(plus time for set up and tear down) or other conference and event services-related
events in the Copeland Court area.
- The track can be specifically reserved, but this does not grant exclusive use.
- Soft-soled, closed-toe athletic shoes are required. No spikes, cleats, boots, shoes with wheels, sandals or other open-toe shoes
- Joggers should use the inside lanes and walkers the outside lanes.
- The track walking direction will alternate at the discretion of Sommer Center staff. Posted signage will indicate the direction of the day.
Access
- Registered students (or recent graduates working on campus summer only)
- Faculty, staff, emeriti and spouses
- Guests of students: Current students may have up to one guest at a time. Guest must be 16 years or older and accompanied by a current student at all times.
- Prospective students: Must have a special pass issued by the admissions office; be accompanied at all times by a current student, faculty or staff member; and be 16 years or older
- Conference guests: Must be 18 or older, summer only
Reichenbach Room
- Organized events should be reserved through the university reservation system.
- Space available for use on first-come, first-served basis
- Preference given for exercise and fitness activities
- Space is meant to be multifunctional and not designated/available as a specific classroom.
- Visitor locker rooms will be open for general use by students, faculty and staff during building hours.
- Locker rooms will be closed at least two hours before, during and after athletic competitions for cleaning and visiting team use.
- Locks will be removed from lockers daily at 11 p.m. or prior to all athletic competitions.