FAQ

In the Fall semester, the Fitness Center is open Monday to Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday to Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. We will be closed Friday through Sunday in summer and for special Holidays.

*Fitness Center will be closed when campus is closed*

Individuals enrolled in a Physical Education course for credit (PEC 101, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, or 176) or audit, or a Fitness Membership option for noncredit (FIT 075). Student athletes under the supervision of a coach (during open or closed hours) and students using the facility under the supervision of an approved instructor during open hours also have access to the Fitness Center. Full-time and part-time Morton College staff and faculty members have cost-free access to the Fitness Center during open hours only!

Athletes not under the supervision of a coach must be enrolled in a PEC course for credit or noncredit in order to work out during open hours. All athletes (whether in-season or out-of-season) can request a PE tuition waiver for any semester (Fall, Spring and Summer) from the athletic department that may be used toward 1 PEC credit hour per semester. If not enrolled in a course, an athlete cannot work out in the Fitness Center unless a coach is present.

The cost of PE Fitness Center lab courses (PEC 101 and 171-176) for in-district students is $140.50/credit per semester ($88/credit, $20 lab fee, $9 comprehensive fee, $9 technology fee, $15 repair/renovation fee and $10 registration fee). The cost for out-of-district students is $279/credit per semester ($216/credit, $20 lab fee and other fees mentioned above). The cost for out-of-state/International students is $343/credit per semester ($280/credit plus fees). Fitness Memberships (FIT 075) are $20/month in Fall and Spring and $15/mo in the Summer. Additional membership options are available for various predetermined lengths of time (i.e., four months, eight months, etc.) at a 20-30% savings. Guests 62 years and older will not pay any tuition or fees for non-credit courses but must pay only fees for credit courses.

Seven courses can be taken for gym credit: Physical Fitness (PEC 171), Advanced Physical Fitness (PEC 172), Weight Training (PEC 173), Advanced Weight Training (PEC 174), Circuit Training (PEC 175), Advanced Circuit Training (PEC 176) and Adaptive Physical Education (PEC 101) with the permission and signature of the Disability Advisor (see #8).

Students who do not wish to take a Physical Education course for a grade or credit can write the word “Audit” on their registration form which grants them access to the Fitness Center without having to complete any requirements for the course; however, the price is the same as taking a one-credit hour fitness course and the student will not receive a grade.

Alumni can obtain an alumni tuition waiver from Admissions and Records to be used toward any credit course of choice but will be responsible for any fees. Alumni must also wait to register until the week the course begins.

Students with a disability/special need should enroll in Adaptive Physical Education (PEC 101) with the permission and signature of the Disability Specialist Advisor. Following registration, students should contact the instructor before beginning the course.

Physical Fitness (PEC 171). If PEC 171 has been completed, the other activity courses may be taken in sequential order.

Students are not allowed to take more than one open lab PE course (PEC 171-176) per semester without permission from the instructor.

Grades are determined by how many hours are completed in the Fitness Center. Grades are lowered by one letter grade for each uncompleted requirement. In the Fall and Spring semesters, 35 activity hours are required to receive an A, 30-34 hours for a B, 25-29 hours for a C, 20-24 hours for a D, and below 20 hours will receive a grade of F. Fitness students must attend an orientation session and pass the midterm test with a score of 70% or better. Students in PEC 171 must also complete an initial fitness test (Pre-fitness test) and a final (post-fitness test).

After enrolling in the Physical Education course of choice, students must attend one of the prescheduled orientation sessions offered in the Fitness Center (room 116E). Orientations will be conducted during the first week of each course. Orientation times and dates can be found in the registration booklet. Students must sign up for orientations at the Fitness Center or by calling ext. 2274 no later than the first week of the course start date.

A syllabus and explanation of the course requirements and policies will be provided. In addition, required paperwork is completed and a blood pressure reading will be taken. Students in PEC 171 will also perform a series of fitness tests (step-test, sit-up test, strength test, etc.) and should come to orientation dressed in workout clothes and gym shoes. Orientations are usually no longer than one hour in length depending on the number of students attending.

Students responding "yes" to any questions on the Health Questionnaire (PAR-Q) are required to present a doctor’s note in order to participate in Fitness Center activities. Also, students with a blood pressure reading greater than or equal to 140/90 must also provide a doctor's note.

All patrons are required to present an ID with a valid barcode to enter the Fitness Center. IDs are provided in room 241C. Students must bring a copy of their student schedule with them in order for their ID picture to be taken. The initial ID per semester is free but the cost of each replacement ID is $10. The ID office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Yes, all patrons are required to sign in upon entering and sign out upon exiting the Fitness Center by scanning the bar code on the back of their student ID or staff ID. This process helps to track usage.

Hours are tracked automatically when students sign in and out using the barcode on the back of their ID cards. Students enrolled in credit classes cannot receive more than 1½ hours of credit toward their class per day.

The Adult Education/Community Service Department offers Adult Trim and Tone (FIT 077) Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in the gymnasium (Room 104E). Check the student schedule and/or website for current offerings.

The Fitness Center currently provides 10 pieces of cardio equipment (five treadmills, two elliptical trainers, one recumbent bike, one spin bike and one upright bike). Several strength training machines are also available including a universal cable machine, a smith machine, an Olympic bench, and free weights ranging from one to 90 lbs.

Only approved and supervised physical education classes, clubs, athletic teams, and individuals presenting a valid student ID for supervised open gym dates. Any other usage must be approved by the Athletic Department and Physical Plant/Maintenance.

No, the Henry J. Vais Gymnasium is for student athletes and group instruction only. Fitness Center members are not allowed in the gymnasium.

Open gym timeframes vary. Currently they are being held on Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. and are available to any student obtaining a valid student ID.

Yes, students enrolled in a Physical Education Course (PEC) can earn up to 1.5 hours/day by attending open gym. Students must log in and out on both the Fitness Center login computer and in the gym in order to receive credit.

Patrons may bring their own volleyball or basketball, but it is not required. A few basketballs and volleyballs are available for check out but there may be a wait based on demand. No sports/activities other than volleyball and basketball are allowed during this open gym time.

Yes, women’s and men’s locker rooms as well as staff locker rooms are available.

Yes, showers are available in all the locker rooms. Patrons must bring their own towels.

Yes, patrons can select a locker to use over the course of the semester and must bring a lock when they visit. We strongly encourage visitors to lock up their belongings. The Fitness Center is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Users must empty their lockers and remove their lock before they are cleaned at the end of each semester. Remaining locks will be cut.

We provide complimentary lockers with self-locking keypads, so you do not need to bring a lock. Lockers are for daily use only and items are not to be left overnight

Gym shoes and workout clothes are required. Gym shoes should be clean and dry and a shirt must be worn at all times. No blue jeans allowed.

Yes, all machines should be wiped down after use by patrons with their own towels. Visitors will not be admitted to the Fitness Center without a towel.

You will need either a driver's license, state ID, student ID, or faculty ID to register. All memberships are valid for one full year and must be renewed annually.

The main lot is available for all members to park. Please do not park in the staff/faculty parking lot