Policies & Rules

1. Access to the Aquatics Center is controlled by card access. Members must use their UAlbany SUNY/CNSE ID or Membership Card to enter the facility. 

2. The Aquatics Center is open to University at Albany students, faculty, staff, alumni and current community member cardholders. Memberships and associated registration information are available at PE Recreation Services.

3. All patrons entering the facility during Recreational/Lap Swim times are required to pay the facility access fee, including swimmers, and non-swimmers, except those seated in the spectator area.

4. Admission to the pool will be denied for any the presence or evidence of any condition or behavior, which, in the opinion of the Aquatics Staff, jeopardizes the health and safety of the individual or other members.

5. No person will be permitted in the pool having: skin lesions, sores, or inflamed eyes, mouth, nose, or ear discharge, carrying communicable disease or having any type of bandage, adhesive tape, etc., on their body.

6. All bathers must take a shower with soap in the locker room before entering the pool.

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Emergency Action Procedures

1. All emergency procedures must be observed.

2. Swimmers must leave the pool area immediately upon the signal or request of the Aquatics Staff.

3. No one should engage the lifeguard in unnecessary conversation.

4. Communication is initiated by whistle blast. When whistle is heard please give undivided attention to Lifeguard for further instruction.

5. 1 whistle blast = Get attention of patron

6. 2 whistle blasts= Used for communication between aquatic staff

7. 3 whistle blasts = everyone must clear the pool.

8. Report unsafe facility or bathroom conditions immediately to the staff on duty.

9. All injuries occurring within the pool area or restrooms must be reported to the Aquatics Staff on duty immediately.

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General Facility Rules

1. No person may use the pool unless it is officially open and the lifeguards are on duty.

2. The Aquatics Staff on duty is ultimately responsible for enforcing all rules, regulations, and procedures. If at any time a member does not comply with the rules and/or the staff on duty, the member will be asked to leave, and/or his/her Aquatic Center privileges will be revoked. The Aquatic Staff on duty has the right to enlist the help of University Police Department whenever these situations arise.

3. The Office of Campus Recreation reserves the right to refuse service to any member who violates any rule or regulation, or engages in any verbal and/or physical abuse of the Aquatic Center staff or members.

4. The Aquatics Staff may close any portions of or the entire pool complex for any safety or maintenance reason.

5. Candy, food or beverages are not allowed. No glass items, chewing gum or smoking is permitted anywhere in the facility.

6. No urinating or defecating in the pools.

7. Dangerous practices are prohibited.

8. Patrons must not run on decks or in locker rooms

9. Climb, dunk, push, pull or unnecessarily splash swimmers is prohibited

10. Diving is allowed in only in the deep end of the pool

11. Back dives, somersaults, "cannon balls" from the side of the pool, and any behavior causing undue disturbance or endangers the welfare of self or other patrons is prohibited.

12. Spitting, spouting or nose-blowing in the pool or onto deck, improper public displays of affection and profanity are strictly prohibited.

13. Animals are not allowed in the building or pool area, with the exception of guide dogs. Guide dogs are allowed on deck, but not in the water.

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Children Swim (Thursday 5pm-7:30pm, Sunday 12:30pm-6:30pm)

1. Children Swim is available to children (at no additional charge) of Students, Faculty, Staff or Members who have purchased a minimum of one month membership. Parents will need to complete the sign in form for their child/children.

2. During children swim hours, a parent/adult must directly supervise children younger than 12 years of age. One adult must be present for each child entering the pool. Children over the age of four are not permitted in the locker room of the opposite sex. There is a small bathroom just off the pool deck for each access to respective locker room shower areas.

3. Members may be accompanied by additional adults in order to accomplish the one adult to one child ratio, at no charge, during Children Swim Hours.  Additional adults will need to complete an Aquatics registration form at the Aquatics check-in table.

4. Weak or Non-swimmers/those requiring flotation devices must remain in shallow water no deeper than chest level and be directly supervised by a responsible adult. This means the parent/adult must be in the water with the child and be able to immediately reach the child, within arms’ reach. Parents/adults are not to swim laps while they are with their children in the pool.

5. The use of floatation aide devices by weak or non-swimmers is prohibited. This includes water wings, baby floats, inner tubes, kick boards, pull-buoys, etc. Only Coast Guard approved lifejackets are permitted. Balls, toys, etc. are not allowed in the pool unless the activity is part of an instructional activity sponsored by the Aquatic’s program.

6. The Children Swim area is located in lanes 1and 2 located near the removable steps. In order to access the deep end of pool, a swim test is required.  Swim test consists of 50 yard continuous swim.  Children will be allowed to use noodles once the swim test is passed.

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Personal Belongings

1. The Office of Campus Recreation assumes no liability for the loss or theft of members’ personal belongings.

2. Items left in pool area at the end of the day will be bought to Recreation Services, in the Physical Education Building - 110A.

3. Members are required to pick-up after themselves and discard trash and remove personal items.

4. Electronic equipment, including radios, cameras, and cellular phones, are not allowed on pool deck.

5. For safety reasons, personal items, bags and other items are to be stored in lockers or on the benches only and not on the Aquatic Center deck.

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Proper Attire

1. Acceptable swim attire must be worn by patrons on the deck and in the water

2. Bathing suits must be worn on the deck and in the water.

3. Plain T-shirts may be worn over bathing suits if desired.

4. Hats are not allowed in the water.

5. Jeans/ Sneakers are not permitted.

6. Rubber flip flops or water shoes are permitted on deck only.

7. Patrons with religious concerns regarding modesty may wear clean, covering garments that do not interfere with their safety in the water.

8. Children who are not toilet-trained will be allowed in the pool only if they wear a swimsuit diaper. Cloth or disposable diapers are not accepted.

9. Children less than four years old will be allowed in the pool only if they wear a swimsuit diaper. Cloth or disposable diapers are not accepted.