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Frequently-Asked Questions

Inside the Baker Ferguson Fitness Center

  1. What are your hours?
     
    The fitness center hours change with the seasons, the semesters, and the semester breaks.
     
    • Fall 2007 Semester Hours
      Monday-Thursday: 6 am-10 pm
      Friday-Sunday: 10 am-10 pm
  2. May I bring a guest?
     
    The Baker Ferguson Fitness Center, including the Paul Harvey Pool, and Donald Sherwood Athletic Center are at the service of Whitman students, faculty, staff and alumni. Also welcome are the spouses and dependents (limiting age of 25) of faculty and staff, and the spouses of alumni. The buildings are secure, which means a valid Whitman identification card is needed to gain access.

    Guest privileges at BFFC? Members of the Whitman community can bring a guest one time each month.
  3. Michele Hanford Michele Hanford Jenn Blomme Jenn Blomme
    Who directs the fitness center?
     
    Operation of Baker Ferguson Fitness Center falls into the capable hands of Michele Hanford, fitness center director, and Jenn Blomme, aquatics director. Michele also has responsibility for the Sherwood Athletic Center, while Jenn also serves as head coach of the Whitman men’s and women’s varsity swim teams. Michele and Jenn oversee an enthusiastic staff of student employees.
    • Michele Hanford, fitness center director
      Office: BFFC 207
      Phone: 509-527-5025
      E-mail: hanformk@whitman.edu
    • Jenn Blomme, aquatics director
      Office: BFFC 215
      Phone: 509-527-5287
      E-mail: blommejb@whitman.edu
  4. What are the pool hours and when can I enjoy “Open Swim?”
     
    Special “open swim” times in the Paul Harvey Pool are made available to members of the Whitman community.
    • Monday-Friday: 7 am-9 am; 12-1:30 pm
    • Monday-Thursday: 7:30-9:30 pm
    • Saturday-Sunday: 2-5 pm
    • Sunday: 7-9 pm
  5. What kind of equipment do you have?
     
    For strength training, we have Hammer Strength plate-loaded equipment, Life Fitness selectorized machines, and Iron Grip free weights. We have more than three dozen pieces of cardiovascular equipment (treadmills, elliptical trainers, summit trainers, stair climbers, upright and recumbent bikes, rowing machines, spin bikes, versa climbers), many of them equipped with LCD screens with cable TV.
  6. Can I take at class at the fitness center?
     
    Whitman students can take two classes (for credit) at Baker Ferguson Fitness Center:  SSRA 100 and SSRA 202, Beginning and Intermediate Weight Training.
  7. What should I wear to the fitness center? Is there a dress code?
     
    The dress code for Baker Ferguson Fitness Center: Wear clothes that absorb moisture and allow easy range of motion as you work out. T-shirts, shorts, spandex or sweats are appropriate.  In colder seasons, it helps to wear layers so that you can bundle up when you leave.  There are no flip-flops, sandals, jeans, or bare midriffs allowed in the fitness center. We also ask that you do not use your cell phone or chew gum while on the workout floor.
  8. Can I get a locker?
     
    Baker Ferguson Fitness Center has day-use lockers available for staff and faculty only. Cubbies (small storage areas) are located near the service desk and available to students as they work out. 
  9. What is happening with Sherwood Center?
     
    Stay tuned for updates on plans to renovate the Sherwood Athletic Center. Tentative plans call for conversion of the old swimming pool area and adjacent small gym into a full-size, wood-floor gymnasium. Club sport and intramural teams in particular stand to benefit from a boost in gym space. Sherwood’s existing “stadium court” gymnasium is set aside primarily for the varsity basketball and volleyball programs.

    Other Sherwood renovation proposals call for creation of a year-around, all-weather climbing wall and two additional dance/exercise rooms. Also on the drawing board is a possible new entrance for the building; part of the outdoor courtyard would be enclosed for use as a foyer and gathering space.