Our policies are aligned with our Community Agreements to provide a safe, equitable, and inclusive environment for all our members and participants in the Recreation & Wellbeing programs and services.
By using our facilities and programs, you are in agreement to uphold all policies and Community Agreements.
Not abiding by our Community Agreements and policies may lead to suspension or termination of your membership.
Patrons will not hold the University of California, Department of UC Berkeley Recreation & Wellbeing, or any of its employees responsible for any injuries incurred during normal usage of the facility. Any cost for damage to University property shall be paid by any member or guest who neglectfully causes damage. We ask all members of our campus community to be mindful and not make assumptions based on how people look or what they wear. People express themselves in a variety of ways. If any member of our community observes inappropriate behaviors, they should notify a member of our staff. However, we should exercise caution and stay focused on actions not appearances.
Please see the program or facility-specific pages for policies related to:
RSF I Pools I Wellness Offerings I Adventures I Membership I Intramural Sports I Sport Clubs I Youth Programs
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Staff and guests of Recreation & Wellbeing are expected to behave with civility and appropriate conduct. When you agree to become a Recreation & Wellbeing member or purchase a guest pass or are admitted by the use of a complimentary day pass, you indicate, by your registration, that you agree to cooperate with staff while utilizing the RSF and other department facilities.
No refunds will be given for loss of membership privileges due to breach of the Code of Conduct. All members and guests are encouraged to exercise good judgment in caring for the safety of others as well as themselves. In the event that you witness or experience threatening or inappropriate behavior by another individual, please report the situation immediately to facility staff. Standards of Conduct include, but are not limited to, the examples outlined below. The following types of conduct are specifically prohibited and may result in loss of membership:
Prohibited Behavior
Aggressive Behavior
The definition of aggressive behavior lies with the staff. Aggressive behavior is explicitly forbidden at the RSF and other department facilities and programs. You may not promote or engage in physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion and/or other conduct, which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person. You may not use “fighting words” to harass any employee or guest in connection with official university functions or university-sponsored programs. If you engage in behavior that is considered aggressive, then your actions may result in temporary or permanent loss of privileges at all department facilities.
Forgery
Sharing identification cards for access into the RSF and other Recreation & Wellbeing facilities is considered forgery. If you forge, alter, give unauthorized use or misuse any University document, record, key, electronic device, or identification, then your actions will result in a loss of privileges and/or a fine.
Control
Department employees are responsible for managing and maintaining the safety of our members and facilities. You agree to comply with the directions of department staff (aka University officials or other public official) acting in the performance of their duties. Failure to comply with staff requests, directions, or instructions will result in a loss of privileges.
Unauthorized Entry
You must have a valid membership for access to all Recreation & Wellbeing facilities and programs. You may not enter unauthorized areas such as offices and maintenance workshops. Trespassers will lose privileges.
Disorderly Conduct
You may not engage in disorderly or lewd conduct.
Photography and Video
Photography or video shooting is prohibited at all Recreation & Wellbeing facilities without prior department and campus approval. This rule is in place to protect the privacy of our members.
Unauthorized Commercial Activity
You are not allowed to post, advertise, instruct in private lessons, or solicit individuals in the facilities for personal services, businesses, or agencies.
Criminal Activity
The following actions are considered Criminal Activity and will result in immediate police action. Department staff will contact University police and request assistance addressing the immediate threat. Additional sanctions and restrictions will apply including loss of privileges.
Vandalism
Damage to or destruction of any property of the University or property of others while on University premises.
Assault
Rape, sexual assault, or sexual harassment (See Appendix I, item 3 of the University Code of Student Conduct for the definition of “rape”, item 4 for the definition of “sexual assault”, and item 6 for the definition of “sexual harassment”.)
Theft
Removal of or conversion of University or property of others while on University premises.
Firearms
Use or possession of an explosive device, firearm, or other deadly weapon when on the premises.
Governance
Disciplinary Action
Violation of any of the Code of Conduct is grounds for disciplinary action. Any Recreation & Wellbeing employee may start disciplinary action against any patron/participant he/she deems to be in violation of the Code of Conduct (including calling the UCPD) by:
- Requesting a stop to the violation/offending action
- Requesting a violator to leave the facility
- Requesting assistance from a Berkeley Recreation & Well-being Supervisor or authority, and/or calling the UCPD
Written Report
The Recreation & Wellbeing employee will also file a written report with the Recreation & Wellbeing supervisor(s) for review. The supervisor(s) will:
- Read the written reports daily/weekly
- Determine immediate action, or
- Refer more serious complaints to the Berkeley Recreation & Well-being Advisory Board or UCPD.
Recreation & Wellbeing Conduct Review Committee
The Recreation & Wellbeing Conduct Review Committee will:
- Meet monthly (or as needed) to review the more serious complaints and determine appropriate action
- Receive, hear, and rule on appeals on an ad hoc basis
Appeals
Violators have the right to appeal disciplinary actions. A valid appeal must concern either a misapplication of one of the Standards of Conduct or misrepresentation of the policies and procedures outlined in the Recreation & Wellbeing handbook. Appeals must be written and received within 14 days of issuance of disciplinary action. Appeal letters must be addressed to the Chair of the Recreation & Wellbeing Conduct Review Committee who will evaluate the appeal and determine appropriate action in consultation with the Recreation & Wellbeing Conduct Review Committee on an ad hoc basis and within a reasonable time frame.
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Program Withdrawal & Refund Policy
Applies to all RecWell programs except Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and Youth Programs.
Fee-based program withdrawal requests must be submitted through the Action Request Form or via email to RecWell@berkeley.edu and are processed by RecWell Customer Service Center staff.
- Refund requests received more than 3 business days before the program start date will be approved, minus a 15% administrative fee deducted from the program registration fee.
- No refunds will be issued within 3 business days of the program start date or after the program has begun, regardless of when the registration was completed.
- Wilderness First Aid (WFA): Withdrawal or transfer requests must be received at least 15 days before the course start date due to administrative processes with our external partner. A refund less a 15% processing fee will be issued. WFA registrations are non-refundable and non-transferable less than 15 days before the course start date.
- $0 registrations: Customers may cancel free program registrations directly under the Program Registrations tab.
- Refunds are processed Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., excluding UC holidays. Requests submitted outside these hours will be reviewed the following business day.
- Example: If your program starts on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday, your refund request must be submitted no later than the Tuesday of the prior week to meet the 3-business-day deadline.
Wilderness First Responder (WFR) & WFR Recertification
Please note: Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and Wilderness First Responder Recertification courses are offered in partnership with NOLS and are subject to the NOLS Cancellation, Payment, & Attendance Policies. Please contact NOLS for more information.
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Please review program dates carefully before enrolling. Program fees are not prorated or adjusted for missed classes. Credits, refunds, or make-up classes will not be provided for missed classes, partial attendance, tardiness, or non-attendance.
Full attendance is essential for participant success and may be required to complete the program or qualify for sequenced offerings (e.g., Sailing 1-A to Sailing 1-B).
Participants who arrive late may be unable to join the class if safety briefings or required instruction have already begun.
For safety reasons, the Instructor and Program Manager reserve the right to remove participants from the program if attendance requirements are not met. Removal from a program due to attendance or safety concerns does not qualify for a refund or credit.
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All programs will need to meet a minimum number of participants at least 72 hours before the program start date. If an offering does not reach that number, it may be canceled. This approach helps us ensure a high-quality experience for all participants and allows our team to plan effectively.
If a class is canceled, we will update the website and notify affected patrons via email with options in advance of the program start date. -
- Student rate: Available to officially registered UC Berkeley students. Please accept the RecWell Waiver in CalCentral prior to registering. Student eligibility will update in our system the day after the waiver is accepted.
- Alumni rate: Available to UC Berkeley graduates with a degree conferred. If your eligibility is not reflected in our system, please contact the Customer Service Center with your full name, month and year of graduation, and major. Verification may take up to 72 business hours and must be completed prior to registration to receive the alumni rate.
- Faculty/staff rate: Available to UC Berkeley faculty and staff with an active campus appointment. If this pricing option does not appear at checkout, please contact the Customer Service Center for eligibility verification.
- Member rate: Available to active UC Berkeley RecWell members, including UC Berkeley student members. Membership must be active at the time of registration.This rate does not apply to Golden Bear Pool Pass holders.
- Non-member rate: Available to members of the broader community who meet the program’s requirements.
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Eligible customers may register for programs through our online portal or in person at the Customer Service Center. Full payment is required at the time of registration. Participants must accept the RecWell Waiver at the time of purchase to participate in RecWell programs and access RecWell facilities.
If an enrolled participant requests to move a card payment from the original credit or debit card to a different credit or debit card, a 5% processing fee will apply.
Price Adjustments
- Students: Each academic year, students must accept the RecWell Waiver in CalCentral before their student RecWell membership is imported into our system, typically 1-2 days after acceptance. Students may request one retroactive price adjustment per academic year if they paid the non-student rate before their membership was imported. The request may be submitted up to 3 business days after the program start date.
- Non-students: Please confirm your membership status before registering. The rate paid at the time of purchase is final and cannot be adjusted.
- Students: Each academic year, students must accept the RecWell Waiver in CalCentral before their student RecWell membership is imported into our system, typically 1-2 days after acceptance. Students may request one retroactive price adjustment per academic year if they paid the non-student rate before their membership was imported. The request may be submitted up to 3 business days after the program start date.
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Transfer requests must be submitted via email to RecWell@berkeley.edu or through the Action Request Form at least 3 business days before the program start date. Approved transfers are processed by Customer Service Center staff.
Some programs may be ineligible for transfer due to program age restrictions, certification requirements, waiver acceptance limitations, enrollment capacity, or other reasons.
Transfers to a program of equal value will incur no additional fee. Transfers to a higher-cost program require payment of the price difference at the time of transfer. For transfers to a lower-cost program, price differences of $100 or less will be refunded in full. A $15 processing fee will be deducted when the price difference exceeds $100.Late Transfers
Transfer requests submitted less than 3 business days before the program start date are not guaranteed and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Assistant Director of Customer Service, Associate Director or Programs, or their designee. Late transfers may be subject to a $15 processing fee, or approved only as account credit to be processed by the Customer Service Center staff for future enrollment. No transfers will be approved after the course has begun, except in the cases of skill level misplacement identified by the instructor.
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Most of our programs offer a waitlist option. When a program is full, click the registration link and follow the prompts to join the waitlist. Customers may remove themselves from a waitlist at any time and are not obligated to register if a spot becomes available.
How Waitlist Openings Are Offered
If a spot opens before the program begins, the Customer Service team will email the next person on the waitlist with a deadline to accept and pay. Openings not claimed by the deadline will be offered to the next person on the waitlist.
If a program is scheduled to begin within 3 business days, the Customer Service team may reach out to everyone on the waitlist to gauge interest in a last-minute opening. The spot will be offered to the person closest to the top of the waitlist who responds and confirms interest by the stated deadline.
If you do not receive a message from us by the start of the program, you can assume there are no openings available.
How to Exit a Waitlist
To remove yourself from a waitlist at any time, log in to your account in our online portal, go to your profile, and select Program Registrations. Find the program, select the three dots in the upper-right corner, and choose Leave Waitlist.
