N. Use of University Facilities

1. Lectures, Plays, Films, and Concerts A wide range of cultural activities is offered throughout the year by departments and student groups. These events are usually well-publicized in advance through advertisements, campus mail flyers, and the online calendar. Most of the events are open to the public. Many of them are free, while others have a nominal admission charge.

2. Athletic and Recreational Facilities A wide variety of athletic and recreational facilities is available to members of the faculty. The use of most facilities is without charge, although some programs require a user’s fee.

Huntington Gymnasium, named in honor of Ellery Channing Huntington, Director of Physical Education at Colgate from 1900 to 1935, was erected in 1926 by alumni and friends. It houses a basketball court, offices, squash and racquetball courts, a large auxiliary gymnasium, the Angert Family Climbing Wall, and the Mark P. Buttitta '74 Varsity Weight Room, which is used by our varsity athletes. The Trudy Fitness Center, a 14,825 square foot facility next to Huntington Gymnasium, opened in January 2011. It contains over 50 cardiovascular machines on the upper level, and an extensive weightroom on the lower level. The Lineberry Natatorium is an indoor-outdoor facility adjoining the Huntington Gymnasium and Trudy Fitness Center which provides a 50-meter pool, one- and three-meter diving boards, and bleachers for spectators. On the hill above Huntington Gymnasium is a 10 km trail system for hiking, jogging, mountain biking, and cross country skiing.

Reid Athletic Center, named in memory of William A. Reid, Director of Physical Education and Athletics from 1935 to 1955, houses the  Cotterell Basketball and Volleyball Court, team rooms, training rooms, offices, practice facilities, and the Victoria M. Chun '91, MA '94 and Susan Chun Academic Services Center. Located behind Reid Athletic Center is Sanford Field House, with an astroturf surface, indoor tennis courts, and indoor track.  Class of 1965 Arena houses a state-of-the-art ice rink and locker rooms, offices, and meeting spaces for men's and women's ice hockey, soccer and lacrosse teams. 

The intercollegiate athletic fields include 27.7 acres and contain the following: Whitnall Field, named in recognition of the generosity of the Whitnall family and particularly of the late H.O. Whitnall, which accommodates the intramural program; Andy Kerr Stadium with seating accommodations for over 10,000 spectators; a modern all-weather quarter-mile track, and additional facilities for training and competition in the field events; Tyler’s Field, an astroturf surface with lights; lighted football practice field for varsity and junior varsity squads; Beyer-Small '76 Field, a lighted soccer and lacrosse stadium; Eaton Street Field, home to the softball team; and five auxiliary fields for touch football and intramural play. J.A. Abrahamson facility houses eight outdoor tennis courts that are cork-turf.

The Seven Oaks Golf Course, which replaced one of the same name constructed in 1917, was opened in 1958 and completed in 1965. It is a championship course of eighteen holes designed by Robert Trent Jones and is named for the ancestral home of the Colgate family in Kent, England. An alumni golf tournament is held in mid-July.

Many formal and informal participatory opportunities are available in a wide variety of activities sponsored through the Division of Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics. For additional information on programs or facilities, interested faculty are invited to contact the appropriate office.

3. Admission to Home Basketball, Football, and Hockey Games University faculty, administrative staff, and employees will be admitted free of charge upon presentation of their own Colgate identification card at the specified gate at the site of regular season home contests. Colgate employees may also bring two guests to most home contests free of charge when they attend an athletic event. Specific details pertaining to hours, and when and where to obtain tickets are distributed annually to all faculty/staff employees. Game tickets for post-season home events (Patriot League/NCAA, etc.) are priced variably, and details for obtaining post-season tickets are distributed to faculty/staff employees. 

4. Colgate Camp In 1953 the University acquired, by gift of Mr. S. Bayard Colgate and members of his family, a camp and lodge on Upper Saranac Lake, New York with nine cottages, a central lodge and kitchen, main dining room, lounge, and boathouse. The facilities can comfortably accommodate nine families, about 45 to 50 people. From late May through June, the camp may be used for seminars and meetings of Colgate faculty and staff. During the months of July and August, the camp operates under the supervision of a resident director, and meals are prepared by the camp cook and served in the main dining room. Out-of-season reservations, especially for college groups, may also be made when circumstances permit. Faculty members and their families interested in making reservations for Colgate Camp should complete the reservation form circulated in January, or they may call the Director of the Colgate Camp (listed in the Colgate staff directory). Reservations may be made for a minimum of one week. Charges are reasonable and include room, meals, and use of the facilities. Charges are computed on a per person basis. Further information is available from the Vice President for Administration.

5. Faculty Club in Merrill House The facility includes a small private dining room, a main dining room, and a living room on the first floor available for members of the Colgate community. The Office of the Provost and Dean of the Faculty sponsors social events for faculty, administration, and friends throughout the academic year.

The dining facility is open to university employees and their guests for lunch five days a week from 11:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m. when classes are in session. Students are welcome as lunch or special guests of faculty or administrators. Group reservations for tables or private rooms should be made at least one day in advance. Take-out lunches may also be ordered.

Parties and receptions not sponsored by the university or Faculty Club may be held at Merrill House with the approval of the Vice President for Finance and Administration. There is a charge for private functions.

6. Motor Vehicle Regulations and Parking

Faculty All Colgate faculty must register their cars with the Campus Safety Department and obtain a parking decal. Applications are available at the Campus Safety Department Office. Parking decals are valid during the length of employment or affiliation. Decals are applied to the left rear side window of the vehicle. Information needed to complete the registration: name, social security number, department, phone extension, year, make, color, and license plate number of the vehicle(s) being registered.

Temporary Permits The Campus Safety Department also has temporary permits which can be used for short durations. These can be used while a faculty or staff member’s own vehicle is not available and a different vehicle is being used. In addition, temporary permits are available for short-term visiting faculty members and guests.

Returning Decals When a faculty or staff member changes cars, the decal should be removed and returned to the Campus Safety Department at the time of registering the new car. This provides an accurate count of all registered vehicles and assures that decals are only on Colgate faculty and staff vehicles.

Faculty/Staff Parking There are some parking areas which are designated faculty and staff only, although faculty and staff may park in any legal parking space not otherwise restricted. Legal parking spaces are clearly designated with painted white lines on each side of the parking space. “No Parking” areas are posted or have yellow pavement painting. Parking reserved for the handicapped is marked with blue lines and signs.

Parking tickets are issued to vehicles in violation of the University’s parking regulations. Parking violation fines vary, depending upon the severity of the violation. Illegally parking in a handicap space, fire lane or fire hydrant may also result in the vehicle in violation being towed at the owner’s expense. All fines must be paid at the Office of the Controller within 7 days. Tickets may be appealed within 7 days by completing an appeal form at the Campus Safety Department Office.

The University also enforces an overnight parking prohibition (between 3–7 a.m.).

Vehicle and Traffic Laws All members of the Colgate community are reminded that state and village traffic laws are in effect on campus.

Motor Vehicle Accidents on Campus Under New York State law, auto accidents involving property damage are not required to be reported to a police agency, unless damage is in excess of $1,000 or personal injury has resulted. In such incidents, immediately call Campus Safety Emergency at 911. All on-campus motor vehicle accidents, regardless of their severity, should immediately be reported to the Campus Safety Department so an investigation and report can be completed.

Disabled Motor Vehicles Disabled motor vehicles should be reported to the Campus Safety Department. The Campus Safety Department provides, at no cost, battery jump starts and vehicles unlocks. If other assistance is necessary, arrangements can be made through Campus Safety. Vehicles which create a hazard or are blocking a roadway or fire lane will be towed.

Tow-Away Service A tow-away service is used on campus. During winter months, snow removal crews must be able to plow roads, paths, and parking areas during early morning hours. In this season, parking regulations must be strictly enforced. Therefore, vehicles parked overnight (between 3–7 a.m.) will be towed. In addition, vehicles parked in violation of handicapped parking, fire lane, or fire hydrant regulations may also be immediately towed.

See the Colgate University Motor Vehicles Handbook for more specific information.