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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Updated September 20, 2023

Do students need to buy a membership to use the Student Recreation Center?
No. Full-time and part-time consolidated-fee paying students fund the Student Recreation Center directly through their student activity fees. However, dual-enrolled students and students who do not pay student activity fees are required to buy memberships or day passes.

What does a Student Recreation Center membership include?
Membership includes use of the swimming pool, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, weight and cardio exercise facilities, racquetball courts, gymnasium spaces, multipurpose and dance room spaces, climbing wall, spinning classes, and indoor jogging track.

May students use the Student Recreation Center if they are not taking classes?
Yes. If a student is between semesters, for a $50 gap fee, a student may have their Bengal ID activated if they were enrolled the prior semester and are registered for the next semester.

Do you offer guest passes?
Campus Recreation does not offer guest passes.  Patrons entering the facility must be members or purchase a day pass.

May I purchase a pass for my spouse?
Spouses of currently enrolled students may purchase a Spouse Bengal ID through Campus Connection in the SUB. This student-spouse ID must be renewed every semester.  A student spouse Bengal ID allows the spouse to purchase a semester gym pass at a discounted rate.  

May I purchase a pass for my dependents?
Yes. Students can purchase memberships for their dependents, age 16-19.

What payment options are available to purchase a membership for a dependent?
Memberships may be paid for with cash, check, Visa, or MasterCard.  Campus Rec is unable to put purchases on an ISU flex cash account or similar.  For more information, call the Student Recreation Center at (208) 282-4854 or visit the business office of the Student Recreation Center (Room 360), Monday through Friday during normal business hours.

Are family passes available?
We do not offer family passes.

May I bring my children?
Members may bring their tax-dependent children up to age 19 for free during family hours. Outside of family hours, membership or day passes are required.

When are free family hours?

  • Friday, Saturday, Sunday: all open hours year round
  • Summer: all open hours
  • University breaks & holidays: all open hours
  • The pool offers family hours during Combo Swim.

Who may I bring during family hours?
You may bring your tax-dependent children, up to age 19 for free during family hours. All other family members (spouses, grandparents, etc.) must have a membership or pay the daily fee. If you have special or non-traditional family circumstances, contact the Student Recreation Center at (208) 282-4854.

Why are children younger than 16 not allowed to take part in group exercise classes or use the strength/conditioning areas?
Group exercise classes and strength/conditioning areas are age-restricted because they are considered high-risk areas.

What if I lose my Bengal/membership card?
Bengal IDs are available at Bengal Card Services located at the Campus Connection in the SUB.  Replacement Rec R-card membership cards for dependents are available for $15 at the Front Desk of the Student Recreation Center.

Do I need to bring my Bengal/membership card to use the Student Recreation Center?
You do need your Bengal ID card to check out equipment, but as long as you have your photo associated with your Bengal ID account, you can enter your ID into the pin pad at the gym entrance.

Why are faculty, staff, alumni, and retirees charged to use the Student Recreation Center?
Student fees are the primary funding source for both the construction and ongoing operations of the Student Recreation Center. The philosophy behind the fee is that all who use the facilities should help pay for its operations.

Do students need to buy a membership to use the Student Recreation Center?
Students support the funding of the Student Recreation Center directly through their student fees.

Who is eligible to purchase a membership?  Can I buy a membership if I am not affiliated with ISU?
Faculty, staff, adjuncts, affiliates, alumni, retirees, dual-enrolled students, and senior citizens age 60 and older. Alumni must have an alumni association membership before they can purchase a recreation center membership.  Community memberships are available to patrons ages 18+.

Who is eligible to purchase a spouse membership?
Faculty, staff, adjuncts, affiliates, alumni, and retirees may all purchase spouse memberships.

Who is eligible to purchase dependent memberships?
Only students and full-time benefited employees with rec-center memberships may purchase a membership for their dependents, age 16-19. Dependents may use the facilities without parental supervision with these memberships.

May a spouse purchase a membership if the employee/alumnus/retiree has not?
Spouses of full-time, part-time staff, adjuncts, affiliates, retirees, and alumni can purchase a membership independently.

What types of memberships are available?
Memberships are sold by the month. Any number of months can be purchased, up to 12 months.  This is no minimum number of months to purchase nor is there any contract to sign.  Our memberships are truly month-to-month.  Day passes are also available.

Do Faculty/Staff and spouses need to purchase a membership if they are taking classes?
Faculty/staff and their spouses are not required to pay the student activity fees, and therefore, gym use is not included in their tuition payment.  Those taking classes on reduced fees are eligible to purchase a gym pass at the student rate.  

What does a Student Recreation Center membership include?
Membership includes use of the swimming pool, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, weight and endurance exercise facilities, racquetball courts, gymnasium spaces, multipurpose and dance room spaces, climbing wall, spinning classes, and indoor jogging track.

How much is a membership?
See our list of fees for more information.

Are day passes available?
See our list of fees for more information.  You must be 18 and older to purchase day passes.

Do I need a membership to use the swimming pool?
Faculty, staff, adjuncts, affiliates, and retirees do not need to purchase a membership to use the pool. Alumni, dual-enrolled students, and senior citizens older than 60, must purchase a Student Recreation Center membership or pay the daily fee.

Where can I purchase a membership?
Memberships and renewals are sold at the Student Rec Center Front Desk during any operational hour.

What payment options are available?
Memberships may be paid for with cash, check, Visa, or MasterCard. Only full-time (paid over 12 months) benefited faculty and staff may sign up for payroll deduction. 

Are family passes available?
We do not offer family passes.

May I bring my children?
Members may bring their tax-dependent children up to age 19 for free during family hours. Outside of family hours, membership or day passes are required.

When are free family hours?

  • Friday, Saturday, Sunday: all open hours year round
  • Summer: all open hours
  • University breaks & holidays: all open hours
  • The pool offers family hours during Combo Swim.

Free Family Hours for swimming
The pool is currently closed for repair.  Free Family Hours will be offered during combo and recreational swim times. During Family Hours, members can bring their tax-dependent children (to age 19) into the facility at no charge. Please note any minor swimmer needs to be actively supervised by a parent or guardian. In addition, Free Family Hours are a benefit to Recreation Center members--which includes students with active Bengal ID, current F/S, F/S spouses with current “F/S Spouse” Bengal ID, and monthly members with a white Rec Card. Day pass purchasers will need to purchase passes for kids entering the water, and punch pass users will need to use a punch for each child who swims. 

Why are children younger than 16 not allowed to take part in group exercise classes or use the strength/conditioning areas?
Group exercise classes and strength/conditioning areas are age-restricted because they are considered high-risk areas.

What if I lose my Bengal/membership card?

Replacement membership cards are available for $15 at the Student Recreation Center Front Desk.  Bengal ID cards are available at Campus Connection in the Student Union.

How do I cancel or change my membership?
Cancellations/change forms are available at the Front Desk of the Student Recreation Center.  You can also email camprec@isu.edu.

Do I need to bring my Bengal/membership card to use the Student Recreation Center?
Bengal/membership cards are required for entrance and checking out equipment.

Are lockers available?

Yes, Lockers are available for rent. Visit the Student Recreation Center Front Desk to rent a locker. You may also bring your own lock and use a daily locker for free.

What equipment can be checked out?
Members can check out basketballs, volleyballs, racquetball equipment, tennis equipment, table tennis equipment, and climbing equipment at the front desk of the Student Recreation Center. There is no fee to check out equipment, but you will need to leave an ID card as collateral.

Where should I park when using the Student Recreation Center?
Permit parking is available in the lots surrounding the Student Recreation Center and Reed Gym For those without ISU parking permits, parking is free on weekdays after 4:00pm and all day on Saturday and Sundays. Meters are located on the north and south sides of the Center. Contact the ISU Parking Office for additional parking details.

What's the difference between Reed Gym and the Student Recreation Center?
Reed Gym and the Student Recreation Center are two different facilities located next to each other. Reed Gym is a state-funded facility (Building #45). The construction of the Student Recreation Center (Building #44) was funded through student fees and will be maintained through a combination of student fees and membership fees.