Safety and Regulations

For your safety, two lifeguards will be working at all times when the Aquatic Center is open.

All members must shower before entering the pool.

Minors—those younger than 18—may be required to take a swim test before entering the pool. Lifejackets are available to use at the patron's request.

Aquatic Center Rules

- A lifeguard must be present for use of any part of the Aquatic Center.
- Swimmers must shower before entering the water.
- Jumping or diving from the deck is prohibited.
- No food or gum is allowed. Only beverages with resealable containers are permitted. No glass.
- Running, rough play, intoxication and profanity is prohibited.
- In the event of an injury, accident or illness, please notify a lifeguard immediately.
- Only Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices are allowed. No other types of flotation devices are permitted unless approved by an on-duty lifeguard.
- Goggles, kickboards, pull buoys, noodles, fins and stroke paddles are allowed. Please return all campus recreation equipment to the storage bin.
- Kickboards, pull buoys and other training aids may not be used as floatation devices.
- Soft balls and small toys are allowed during open swim but must be used in a safe manner. Tennis balls, footballs, hard balls, squirt guns, etc. are not allowed.
- Intentional hyperventilation and prolonged underwater swimming is prohibited.
- Lane lines and ropes should be used only as safety lines in case of an emergency.
- The Bill R. Foster and Family Recreation Center may not be used for private instruction.
- Swimsuits are required. No cut-offs, gym shorts or other attire is allowed. Changing clothes on the deck is prohibited.
- Only towels, deck footwear and items necessary for swimming are allowed on deck. All other personal belongings must be stored in a locker. MSU is not responsible for lost or stolen personal items.
- Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or sponsoring member.
- Persons with open wounds/cuts or external infections are not allowed in the pool.
- Strollers are not permitted in activity spaces, including the pool deck.
- When more than two swimmers are in a lane, swimmers must circle swim counter-clockwise.
- Hanging on the basketball rim or volleyball net is prohibited.
- Activity may be suspended during severe weather. Contact the nearest campus recreation staff member for information.
- Lifeguards will make final decisions concerning the safety of all patrons in the Aquatics Center.
- The Bill R. Foster and Family Recreation Center reserves the right to modify any of these rules for the safety of our patrons.
- The use of Mono-Fins or Mermaid Tails of any kind are not permitted in the pool or spa at any time.
- A shower is required before entering the spa.
- Elderly patrons, pregnant women and/or patrons with respiratory or cardiopulmonary problems should not use the spa without prior medical approval from their doctor.
- Patrons should not use the spa under the influence of alcohol, tranquilizers or other drugs that can cause drowsiness or raise or lower blood pressure.
- A maximum time limit of 15 minutes is suggested.
- Enter and exit the spa carefully. No jumping or splashing is allowed.
- Submerging and underwater swimming is prohibited.
- If you begin to feel nauseous or dizzy, carefully exit the spa and find the nearest campus recreation staff member.
- Persons with open wounds/cuts or external infections may not use the spa.
- Inappropriate behavior or public displays of affection are prohibited.
- Care should be taken when moving from the spa or sauna directly to the pool due to the temperature change.
- Spa users must be 12 years of age or older.
- Please shower before entering the sauna.
- For hygiene purposes, it is required that patrons sit or lay on a towel while in the sauna.
- Street shoes are not allowed. Clean shower shoes (flip flops or water shoes) are allowed.
- A maximum time limit of 15 minutes is suggested.
- To prevent a skin burn, it is recommended to remove jewelry before using the sauna.
- Elderly patrons, pregnant women and/or patrons with respiratory or cardiopulmonary problems should not use the sauna without prior medical approval from their doctor.
- Patrons should not use the sauna under the influence of alcohol, tranquilizers or other drugs that can cause drowsiness or raise or lower blood pressure.
- Exercising or wearing constrictive or excessive clothing is prohibited.
- Inappropriate behavior or public displays of affection are prohibited.
- Care should be taken when moving from the spa or sauna directly to the pool due to the temperature change.
- Sauna users must be 18 years of age or older.