2/1/2008 3:54:01 PM
 QandA Administrator Posts: 0
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We recently implemented a no-cell-phone policy in our locker rooms, and it’s not popular — especially among users whose cell phones don’t have a camera feature. Do you ban all cell phones in your facility’s locker rooms, or just ones with cameras? And how do you respond to people who complain about the policy?
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2/1/2008 4:16:11 PM
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We have decided (for now) to hold off on implementing a no-cell-phone policy. We have had very few issues, and 99 percent of people use their phones for the right reasons. We don't like to "manage to the exception," so to speak; therefore, we are letting this one go until it becomes a bigger issue.
Jan Van der Sanden, Recreation Program and Facility Supervisor Margaret W. Carpenter Recreation Center, CO
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2/1/2008 4:16:53 PM
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We allow cell-phone use, but no camera use. We have not had complaints or reports of pictures.
Susan Trautman, Director of Parks and Recreation City of Des Peres, Mo.,
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2/1/2008 4:17:26 PM
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Cell-phone use in public spaces to respond to private and personal needs is not appropriate. Develop well-worded signage requesting respect for personal and audio privacy in sensitive places. It is a great teachable-etiquette moment for your guests.
Diane Guse Dahlmann, Director of Recreation, Services & Facilities University of Missouri,
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2/1/2008 4:17:52 PM
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The cell-phone policy has become a central issue. One has to be consistent, regardless of camera or non-camera status. We have not had any pushback on banning cell phones in the locker room, as we view it as a team spirit policy.
Lee McElroy, Athletic Director University of Albany,
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2/1/2008 4:18:27 PM
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I think that it is difficult to enforce picture cell phones only. I would simply have a blanket policy of no cell phones in the locker rooms.
Ken Ballard, Principal Ballard*King & Associates, CO
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2/1/2008 4:18:59 PM
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Ensure that the facility locker rooms have courtesy phones, and explain the need for privacy in locker room areas.
Gord Bullock , Athletic Centre Coordinator Havergal College,
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2/21/2008 12:44:01 PM
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Have you tried to purchase a cell phone w/o a camera? They are very hard to find. I wouldn't manage to that exception. We haven't banned them yet as it hasn't been a problem.
D. KopasHomewood-Flossmoor Park District,
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2/21/2008 12:52:40 PM
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We've implemented a policy that "to ensure patrons’ safe and confidential use of the locker rooms, use of Cell Phone, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), Camera and Camcorder is prohibited in the locker rooms." We do provide a courtesy phone at the Service Desk. The policy has been in place over two years, and we have not rceived any compaints.
Gansheng Xu, Director of Campus Recreation University of New Brunswick, New Brunswick, Canada
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2/21/2008 12:53:11 PM
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We banned all cell phones from the locker rooms. It is just too hard to try to differentiate camera phones from non-camera phones. We allow cell phone use only in the lobby area of the club. It became a disturbance and members complained. It can be annoying if someone is talking on the phone while walking next to you on the treadmill or if a phone starts to ring in the middle of a yoga class. Members may carry their phones with them but we ask that they set them to vibrate and step outside of the locker rooms or any workout area if they are going to talk on the phone.
Rob Bishop, Owner Elevations Health Club, PA
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2/21/2008 1:22:23 PM
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Our approach has been to not ban cell phones. However, we do have a policy of "The use of photographic equipment to take pictures of any person in CRS facilities without that person's permission is prohibited. This prohibition includes cell phones with built-in camera devices." This policy applies to all areas of our facilities, not just the locker rooms.
Wallace Eddy, Associate Director University of Maryland, MD
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2/21/2008 1:29:08 PM
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We do not have a cell phone ban in our locker rooms or in other parts of our facility. As technology continues to expand more all-in-one gadgets appear and now a cell phone is also a camera, day planner, web browser, and media player. A blanket ban on cell phones takes away increasingly more than just a camera.
Ryan Hansen, Assistant Director of Intramurals & Sport Clubs Western Illinois University , IL
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2/21/2008 1:36:06 PM
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We have had a no cell phone policy for the entire facility since we opened 4 years ago. However, it continues to be an issue, and especially in the locker rooms. We do have a sign, however, it is not large due to the risk of being obnoxious. It is just something that our team knows we have to constantly educate our members about.
Carlye Fabrikant, Fitness Coordinator Carillon Wellness Center, FL
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2/21/2008 1:42:18 PM
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For reasons of privacy atmosphere and interfering with waves of some of our equipment, we don't allow cell phone use in any part of our facility. We feel that people come to our facility to escape their world, so the last thing they need to do or want to listen to is talking on a cell. We also cannot be sure which phones have cameras and we know that working out, use of locker rooms, being in a bathing suit, are personal/private times that should not be subject to photos.
Alec Southall, Manager of Recreational Facilities Boston University - FitRec Center, MA
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2/21/2008 1:50:48 PM
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Ban all cell phones in locker rooms. After explaining the reasoning behind this decision to parents and athletes at preseason meetings we have had no complaints or even any questions.
Dave Schroeder, Athletic Director Maple Lake Schools, MN
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2/21/2008 1:56:50 PM
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For obvious reasons, camera usage has always been banned in our locker rooms. We do not ban cell phones. We made it part of our club rules. We have had absolutely no problems, as the members understand the policy.
Bill, owner Fitness Inc. Health Club, Idaho
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2/21/2008 2:09:49 PM
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We do not have a ban on cell phones. And to this day I have only had once complaint about someone talking too loudly. And that is over the last two years.
Lou, owner Fitness Plus, MA
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2/21/2008 2:26:18 PM
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When this issue rose to prominence, we decided to rely on a pre-existant policy which prohibited photography within our complex without the express permission of the management/administration (with some exceptions, e.g. intercollegiate games/tournaments). We conducted a poster campaign to raise awareness of this policy among our membership. We have had to deal with very few incidents of violations of this policy.
Paul Dutchak, Facility Manager University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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2/21/2008 2:30:19 PM
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We ban the use of all cell phones in our locker room facilities. Differentiating between phones that do or don't have camera capabilities is not manageble. When enforcing our policy, most people never considered that people might use them to take pictures, and then, after the explanation, understand the policy. Patrons tend to enforce the policy more than staff, and they refer to the posted signs. We also have a policy that prohibits any picture taking in our facilties without prior approval.
Ed Morford, Assistant Director - Risk Management University of Illinois - Campus Recreation, Illinois
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2/21/2008 2:33:04 PM
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We ban cell phones in all areas except for some common spaces like the restaurant, lobby, and waiting areas. You can't tell if a phone has a camera or not. Any club who does not at least have a stated policy, and signage indicating so, is taking a big risk that someone's teenage daughter or son, or a local politician or businesman will find their nude photo,taken while changing in the locker room, is suddenly the next big hit on Youtube. We had a situation at one club where a member had been photoed by a disgruntled employee. Fortunately, this was brought to our attention as it was happening and we prevented a very messy scenario. If people complain we explain the reason for the rule and we've had no problems.
Richard Synnott, Executive Director Weymouth Club, MA
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