Shenandoah University and the Wilkins Athletics and Events Center strives for hands-on educational experiences, and competitive activities; aids in student recruitment and retention; and supports the University’s core values and diversity initiatives to enhance the quality of life through the balance of work and play.
To this end, policies outlined here are established to ensure a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for all. Scroll down for a comprehensive listing.
Wilkins Athletics and Events Center facility policies apply to all activities, programs, services, and spaces contained within. All SU policies and procedures are enforced at all times.
Enforcement and interpretation of all policies is at the sole discretion of Wilkins Athletics and Events Center staff. Policy violations, theft, malicious use of equipment, defacing Wilkins Athletics and Events Center (WAEC), solicitation, verbal abuse of employees/users, or violation of other University policies, including the SU Code of Student Conduct, may be investigated per procedures established by the University. Sanctions, such as removal from a facility, revocation of privileges, prosecution, or referral of students to the Office of the Dean of Students, may be imposed.
Patrons are responsible for familiarity with and adherence to all Wilkins Athletics and Events Center policies. Policies are subject to change.
Physical activity, by its very nature, carries with it certain inherent risks that cannot be eliminated regardless of the care taken to avoid injury. The Wilkins Athletics and Events Center provides for activities and programs that carry certain inherent risks. All participation in Wilkins Athletics and Events Center activities and programs is voluntary and at the user’s own risk.
- Participants are required to report all accidents, injuries, and incidents (i.e. theft, broken and malfunctioning equipment, etc.) to Wilkins Athletics and Events Center staff and complete an incident/accident report in entirety at the time of occurrence.
- Wilkins Athletics and Events Center is not responsible for loss or theft of personal belongings. In the case of lost or stolen belongings, patrons are encouraged to immediately complete an Incident Report Form at the WAEC and report the incident to the SU Department of Public Safety at 540-678-4444.
Accessibility and Accommodations
Patrons and guests with disabilities are requested to indicate if special services, assistance, or appropriate accommodations are needed to fully participate. The following accommodations are in place:
- Handicap parking adjacent to all facility entrances/exits
- Ground floor entry doors equipped with electric door openers
- Braille signage for the visually impaired indicating room numbers
- Accessible restrooms
- Accessible drinking fountains
- Accessible day lockers
- Accessible showers in the locker rooms with special shower seats
- All students, faculty and staff entering the WAEC are required to maintain an active Shenandoah University status and have their SU ID card available.
- All patrons, excluding current SU students, must complete the SU Wilkins Athletics and Events Center Informed Consent Waiver and Release of Liability form prior to initial facility use. A parent or guardian must complete the SU Wilkins Athletics and Events Center Informed Consent Waiver and Release of Liability form on behalf of minor(s).
- Presenting a false ID or otherwise attempting/aiding unauthorized access to the facilities (i.e. holding the door open) is prohibited; violations result in revocation of facility use privileges and disciplinary actions including but not limited to referral to the SU Police and/or the Dean of Students.
- Animals are not permitted in the facility with the exception of licensed guide/medical dogs.
- Patrons must be 11 years of age or older to enter and use the Indoor Track. Direct adult supervision is required for children 11-12 years of age; same room adult supervision is required for children 13-15 years of age.
- Enter and exit the WAEC using designated entrances only (Main Entrance located on Ralph Shockey Drive through the Rotunda and Secondary Entrance located adjacent to Shentel Stadium). Other entrances/exits are for emergency use only.
- All patrons must leave the facility at the scheduled facility closing time. Patrons are alerted every 15 minutes for 1 hour in advance of the scheduled closing time.
- University activities, Wilkins Athletics and Events Center programming, and/or contracted events may restrict facility access.
- Behavior detracting from the enjoyment or safety of others is prohibited (i.e. aggressive/disruptive play, use of abusive/profane language, etc.); Wilkins Athletics and Events Center staff reserve the right to refuse admittance or to request individuals to leave the facility.
- Smoking, use of smokeless tobacco, use of e-cigarettes, use of vaping devices, and possession/consumption of alcoholic beverages or other drugs (except as prescribed by a physician) is prohibited at all Wilkins Athletics and Events Center facilities, programs, and events. Smoking is only permitted in University designated smoking areas.
- All lost and found items are initially held at the WAEC Administrative Offices until it can be transferred to the Brandt Student Center Lost and Found.
- Personal training activities are not permitted in the Wilkins Athletics and Events Center.
- Only water and in sealed plastic containers are permitted throughout the WAEC. The following items are only permitted in the WAEC lobby, or with staff approval: glass containers, food, gum, sunflower seeds, candy, sports drinks, etc.
- Use of rollerblades, skateboards, scooters, bicycles, etc., is prohibited in the facility.
- Strollers are only permitted in WAEC general facility spaces; strollers are prohibited in recreation spaces.
- Tape/marking on floors or walls, etc. are only permitted with staff approval.
- Signs/banners are only permitted with staff approval.
- Spitting is prohibited inside the facility.
- Any damages incurred due to prohibited activities or behaviors may result in fee assessment of repair charges.
- Participants are required to wear athletic attire deemed appropriate by Wilkins Athletics and Events Center staff. Clothes with any features that may damage equipment are prohibited. Closed-toe shoes (including five-finger shoes) are required at all times.
- Non-marking, closed toed, athletic shoes are required in all recreation spaces
- Clean shoes must be worn in the facility; individuals attempting to enter with muddy shoes will not be admitted.
- Patrons are responsible for wearing appropriate protective gear during sporting activities.
- Joint or body braces/casts with exposed hard surfaces must be sufficiently covered with a soft material during play.
- Speakers and other sound systems are not permitted except when used with headphones or approved by staff.
- Use of recording devices (i.e. still cameras; video cameras; cell phone photography, video, or audio recording functions; etc.) requires approval of on duty WAEC staff.
- Use of recording devices is prohibited in locker rooms and bathrooms.
- Cell phones are permitted unless deemed an issue of patron safety, noise, or privacy.
- Wilkins Athletics and Events Center is not responsible for loss or theft of personal belongings. It is recommended that patrons do not leave valuable belongings in any lockers. In the case of lost or stolen belongings, patrons are encouraged to immediately complete an Incident Report Form at the WAEC Administrative Office and report the incident to the SU Department of Public Safety at 540-678-4444.
- A limited number of day lockers are available for daily use free of charge. Patrons are responsible for providing a lock and towel(s).
- Patrons are encouraged to verify a day locker is completely empty prior to utilizing.
- In the event belongings are left unsecured in a day locker, and another patron subsequently uses the locker, the WAEC is not responsible for retrieving belongings for the first patron before building closing time.
- Running and rough play is prohibited in the locker rooms
- Storage of personal belongings at WAEC staffed locations is prohibited.
- Personal belongings may not be stored on track area or court. Please secure all belonging in the locker room.
- All facilities and equipment must be used for their intended purpose. Modification of facilities and/or equipment and netting beyond its designed purpose is only permitted with WAEC staff approval.
- Only staff are permitted to set up/take down/adjust any volleyball, basketball nets, or other equipment including cages, goals and netting.
- All equipment must remain within the facility and be returned to the permanent storage location concluding use.
- Outdoor sport play is prohibited in the WAEC including baseball, softball, football, rugby, lacrosse, Frisbee, golf, etc. unless part of of Shenandoah Athletic Practice.
- Prior staff approval is required before conducting the following activities: baseball, softball, football, rugby, lacrosse, Frisbee, golf
- Hanging on rims/nets and slapping backboards is prohibited. Serious or repeat offenders will be asked to leave the facility and face suspension of building privileges.
- Use of space during drop-in recreation time is on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Specific SU Intercollegiate Athletic Department owned equipment (track/field, football, baseball, etc.) is only accessible with contracted permission.
- Batting, punting, kicking, or improperly throwing balls and other equipment in the vicinity of others, or at walls, windows, and ceilings is prohibited.
- The Wilkins Athletics and Events Center Staff do not provide sports equipment.
- Adhere to lane designation and direction signage.
- Avoid walking side by side or in groups when the track is busy.
- Spitting on the track is prohibited.
- Spectating court activities from the track is prohibited.
- Transferring items between the track and courts is prohibited.
- Spikes are only permitted on the running track during practices or meets. Spikes must be 1/4 inch pyramid (“cone shape”); all other spikes are prohibited.
- Pole vaulting, high jump, and long jump pits are for the sole use of Shenandoah University Athletics and approved rental groups.
- Court schedule is subject to change.
- Activity monitoring is the responsibility of patrons.
- Use for structured practices is only permitted with professional staff approval.
- Aggressive or disruptive play is prohibited; WAEC staff reserve the right to end the game.
- Hanging on rims/nets and slapping backboards is prohibited. Serious or repeat offenders will be asked to leave the facility and face suspension of building privileges.
- Spectators are only permitted to view activity from designated areas; viewing activity from the Indoor Track is prohibited.