UTMB Alumni Field House: A Comprehensive Guide to Membership, Facilities, and Policies

The UTMB Alumni Field House stands as a dedicated facility for the UTMB community, offering a range of amenities and services designed to promote health, wellness, and social connection. This guide provides a detailed overview of membership options, facility access, operational hours, and the governing policies to ensure a positive experience for all users. UTMB Health, part of the University of Texas Medical Branch, has been a leader in education and patient care for over 130 years, educating the nation's health care professionals while providing expert medical services. Through a commitment to research and innovation, UTMB Health translates findings from the research bench to improve patient outcomes and address various medical challenges. The institution encompasses multiple schools, including the John Sealy School of Medicine and the School of Nursing, and is dedicated to enhancing community health through its clinical trials and innovative health education. UTMB Health is also actively involved in building a supportive alumni network and fostering connections among its graduates and current students.

Membership Eligibility and Types

The Field House offers various membership categories to accommodate different segments of the UTMB community. Understanding these categories is crucial for determining eligibility and selecting the most suitable membership plan.

Core Membership Groups:

Employees and Immediate Families: This category includes employees of UTMB and their immediate family members residing in the same household. Immediate family is defined as spouses and children up to twenty-five years of age. For employees, a convenient monthly payroll deduction option is available.
Retirees and Their Families: UTMB retirees are eligible for membership, with specific rates and options for individuals and their families. To qualify for services, participants must be a UTMB retiree.
Students and Their Families: Student memberships are also available, catering to students and their families.
Volunteer Memberships: Volunteers can become members of the Field House once they have met the requirements of the Volunteer Services Department and have completed 800 hours of active volunteer work. This membership is available at the same rate as for employees. The Field House will verify the status of the volunteer and will receive activity reports from Volunteer Services to ensure an active status and to maintain their Field House membership.
President's Cabinet and Development Board: Members of the President's Cabinet and Development Board are also granted access to the Field House.

Guest Access:

Members have the option to bring guests to the Field House, subject to specific guidelines and fees. A member's guests are permitted at a fee of $10 per visit. A current member may obtain a guest pass for a visitor. The day pass is $10.00. Additionally, the Field House offers multi-visit passes: 10 visits for $60 and 20 visits for $100. These passes have a 30-day expiration period from the date of purchase and can be obtained from the Field House front desk. Guest fees are not transferable, and guests must show proper ID with their guest pass.

It is important to note that between Monday and Friday, from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, each member is allowed only one guest. The sponsoring member must remain in the Field House at all times during their guest's visit. This restriction does not apply to individuals using the 10- or 20-visit guest passes. Members are ultimately responsible for their guest's behavior.

Membership Rates and Payment Options

The Field House offers flexible membership plans, including monthly, 3-month, 6-month, and yearly options, with varying rates for different membership types.

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Current Membership Rates:

Membership Type	Monthly	3 Months	6 Months	Yearly
Employee	$44.00	$157.00	$254.00	$453.00
Employee/Family	$70.00	$244.00	$413.00	$716.00
Resident	N/A	N/A	N/A	$250.50
Resident/Family	N/A	N/A	N/A	$448.50
Retiree	$37.75	$113.25	$226.50	$453.00
Retiree/Family	$60.00	$180.00	$360.00	$716.00
Student/Family	N/A	N/A	N/A	$273.00

Accepted Forms of Payment:

The Field House accepts checks, cash, and credit/debit cards for membership payments and other associated fees.

Hours of Operation

The Field House operates with extended hours to accommodate the schedules of its diverse membership base.

Monday - Thursday: 5:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Friday: 5:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Weekends and UTMB Holidays: 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Important Closures:

The Field House will be closed during the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year Holiday periods. Additionally, the pool area has specific closing times, with the pool closing 15 minutes prior to the Field House closing time.

Facilities and Amenities

The UTMB Alumni Field House provides a comprehensive array of facilities to support a wide range of physical activities and wellness pursuits.

Exercise and Weight Equipment: A well-equipped area featuring various machines and free weights for strength training and cardiovascular conditioning.
Basketball Court: A full-sized court for recreational play and organized games.
Racquetball Courts: Dedicated courts for racquetball enthusiasts.
Tennis Courts: Facilities for tennis play.
Pickleball Courts: Courts available for pickleball, a popular paddle sport.
Pool/Spa Areas: Indoor swimming pool and spa facilities for aquatic exercise and relaxation.

Facility Usage Policies and Regulations

To ensure a safe, enjoyable, and respectful environment for all members and guests, the Field House has established a set of policies and regulations. Adherence to these rules is mandatory.

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Entry and Identification:

Members must possess a valid Field House "scan" tag to enter the facility.
Guests are required to present appropriate identification upon entry.
Children aged 16 and over must have a picture ID. ID for younger children is not required.

Attire and Footwear:

Shirts are mandatory in all exercise areas, with the exception of the pool/spa areas.
Wet bathing suits are not permitted in any exercise area.
Non-marking shoes must be worn in the basketball, racquetball, and aerobics rooms.
Regulation tennis shoes are required in all exercise areas of the Field House.

Health and Safety:

It is strongly recommended that all individuals consult with a physician before commencing any new exercise program.
Members and guests are obligated to reimburse the Field House for any damage caused to the building or equipment.
Field House employees are not responsible for the personal items and valuables of members and guests.

Food and Beverages:

Beverages in exercise areas and the gym must be in a "closed" container.
Food is permitted only in the pool area.
Alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited.
Glass containers are not allowed on the Field House premises. The Field House reserves the right to inspect all packages and ice chests before they are brought into the facility.

Prohibited Items:

Bicycles, electric scooters, strollers, and car seats are not allowed inside the Field House or attached to any part of the building. Bike racks are available externally.

Smoking Policy:

Smoking is not permitted within the Field House, on its premises, or any associated UTMB Field House property.

Reservations and Court Usage:

Members and guests must check in at the Field House for tennis court/pickleball assignments and payment of any applicable guest fees.
Tennis courts close at 10:45 PM from Monday to Thursday, 8:45 PM on Fridays, and 7:45 PM on weekends and holidays.
Reservations for courts 5, 6, and 7 may only be made in the evening, unless courts 1-4 are already occupied. Please consult the Field House for specific availability.
Court reservations cannot be transferred between members without prior Field House approval.
Only one racquetball reservation can be made per family membership. Additional reservations can only be secured after the original reservation has been utilized or canceled.
Racquetball reservations are held for 15 minutes past the scheduled hour; this policy does not extend to tennis court reservations.
Important Note: All racquetball and squash players must wear appropriate eye guards while playing. Individuals wearing corrective eyewear may use their glasses if the lenses are shatter-proof.

Age-Related Access Policies

Specific age restrictions are in place to ensure the safety and appropriate use of various facilities by younger members and their family members.

Family members under 16 years of age: May not use any of the exercise or weight equipment at any time.
Family members aged 14-15 years: Are permitted to use the basketball court, racquetball courts, tennis/pickleball courts, and pool without parental supervision.
Family members aged 10-13 years: May use the basketball court, racquetball courts, tennis/pickleball courts, and pool, but only when accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.

Pool Area Specifics:

There is a limit of two (2) children per parent member at the pool.
Children's summer swim hours (June-August): Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM; Wednesday and Friday, and Weekends are Open.
September-May: Pool hours are Open.
Children must always be attended by their parent in the swimming pool area.
Members under 16 years of age are not permitted in the hot tub.
Lifeguards are not provided at the swimming pool area.

Approved Swimming Devices:

The following swimming devices are permitted: pool or leg buoys, plastic swimming goggles, snorkels, hand paddles, kick boards (furnished by the Field House), fins (not black in color), and small swimming devices for children.

Parking Information

To facilitate convenient access to the Field House, free parking is available.

A Field House Permit is required for free parking.
Permits and a map of available parking spaces can be obtained at the Field House.
The permit must be clearly displayed on the dashboard of your vehicle to avoid receiving a parking ticket.

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