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Frequently Asked Questions

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Closure FAQ’s

Thank you for being a valued member and your patience during this challenging time. We greatly appreciate your support as we work toward further solutions and develop new ways to keep you active and healthy. We are looking forward to seeing you when we reopen the facility!

How long will the Health and Recreation Center be closed?
The Health and Recreation Center will remain closed for the summer semester until Sunday, August 23. However, the current situation is still very fluid, therefore this date may change. Please continue to check the Harper Advisory web page for updates.

Do I need to do anything with my Health and Recreation Center membership during the closure?
No, your membership will be paused automatically for the length of the closure. Depending on your membership type adjustments will be made as follows:

• Monthly Memberships
  If you had an active monthly membership as of March 16, your membership will be paused and you will not be billed for the months in which the facility is closed.  Prorated refunds for the second half of March will not be issued. Monthly billing will resume when the facility re-opens, although no exact opening date has been set.
• Annual Memberships
  We will be adjusting the expiration dates for all annual memberships. The expiration dates will be extended by the amount of time the facility remains closed.
• Employee Payroll Deduction for Monthly Memberships
  If you had an active monthly membership as of March 16, your membership will be paused and you will not have a payroll deduction for the months the facility is closed. Prorated refunds for the second half of March will not be issued. Monthly payroll deductions will resume once the facility re-opens, although an exact date has not been determined.

What about other monthly charges like locker rental fees?
All monthly charges on membership accounts have been paused. We will update accordingly depending on the length of the closure for all monthly and annual locker rentals.

What happens to my outstanding personal training sessions?
All open personal training sessions will remain active and expiration dates will be extended. If you have a question related to your personal training sessions, please contact Laura Crisman, Asst. Director of Programs & Communications at lcrisman@harpercollege.edu.

Request a Refund
To request a refund for memberships, locker rentals, personal training and the Harper Fit personal training practicum, please complete our online form here. Refunds generally take 7 to 10 business days to process.

Do I have access to the facility during this closure?
Unfortunately, no. There will not be any access to the facility as the Harper campus remains closed. (see next question)

Can I get my belongings out of my locker that I am renting?
Currently the campus is closed. Only essential personnel are on site. Please contact Dimitra Zougras at dzougras@harpercollege for more information.

Are you offering any sort of virtual workouts or exercise programs? 
Yes, we are offering virtual workouts daily. We are also offering a variety of virtual fitness challenges and events to keep you healthy and fit.

Are the Health and Recreation Center professional staff still working?
Yes, the Health and Recreation professional staff are working remotely during the closure and are available through email. Unfortunately, we do not have staff at the facility to process any payments or monetary transactions during the closure. If you have a question related to your membership, please contact Dimitra Zougras, Asst. Director of Facilities, at dzougras@harpercollege.edu.

Can I still make a transaction or pay off an outstanding balance during the closure?
Yes, your online membership portal is still accessible if you would like to pay off any outstanding balances. You can also update any expired or cancelled credit cards through your online membership portal as usual.

Will Palatine Park District programming continue at the Health and Recreation Center during the closure?
All Palatine Park District programming held at the Health and Recreation Center will be suspended at this time and the pool/aquatics area will be closed. For more information please visit the Palatine Park District website.

Other Health and Recreation Center Questions
If you have any questions related to the Health and Recreation Center or Dept. of Campus Recreation, please email Julie Bearden, Director, at jbearden@harpercollege.edu.

General

Where can I find information about the Fogila Foundation Health and Recreation Center?
Visit harpercollege.edu/campusrec

Where is the Health and Recreation Center (Building M) located?
At Harper College 1200 W Algonquin Road, Palatine. Parking is available in Lot 1.

What are the hours for the Health and Recreation Center?
The facility is open 7 days a week. See hours.

Will the Health and Recreation Center only be open during Harper’s semesters?
The facility is open year-round but will be closed on major holidays. See dates/hours.

Membership

How much are memberships to the Health and Recreation Center?
There are several different types of memberships including student, employee, community, senior, military, Harper alumni and more. See our memberships.

How do I become a member of the Health and Recreation Center?
To join or activate your membership, visit the Welcome Desk in the Health and Recreation Center (Building M). There are several types of memberships available. Visit our membership page.

If I am enrolled in a credit class at Harper College am I considered a student member?
Yes. Access to the Health and Recreation Center is free to Harper College students who are enrolled in a credit class during the current term. Note: Qualifications and restrictions may apply, please stop by the Health and Recreation Center welcome desk for more information.

If I am a Harper employee enrolled in a credit class at Harper College using a tuition waiver am I considered a student member?
Yes. Effective April 1, 2019 - Harper College employees and their dependents using a tuition waiver to register for a Harper credit course will have access to the Health and Recreation Center during the term in which they are enrolled. 

Can I join the Health and Recreation Center if I am a student from another college visiting for the summer or spring break?
Yes. College students home for the winter or summer break can purchase a visiting student membership at the welcome desk. Student ID required.

What is included with membership to the Health and Recreation Center?
Use of the fitness, center, four court field house, pool (during open swim times), locker rooms, and more! Take a look at our membership amenities.

Can I add someone from my household to my membership?
Yes, most membership types may add one household member, 18 years of age or older. See rates by membership type. More than one household member may be added as a community member. See the membership page for details.

As a Harper College employee can I get my monthly dues deducted from my paycheck?
Yes. Take a look at our Harper College employee membership information here.

Facility

Who can use the walking track in the building?
The suspended jogging track is available to anyone with a Health and Recreation membership. Learn more about membership.

How many laps around the suspended jogging track equals a mile?
Eight. The facility’s three-lane suspended jogging track is 1/8 of a mile per lap.

What are the Open Swim hours for the pool in the Health and Recreation Center?
See the Open Swim schedule.

Do I have to be a member of the Health and Recreation facility to use the pool?
You can use the pool several ways: Become a member of the Health and Recreation Center, purchase a single entry pass at the Health ans Recreation Center welcome desk, purchase an indoor annual pool pass at a Palatine Park District Facility to use at the Health and Recreation Center, or enroll in an aquatic program through the Palatine Park District. 

Can we have pick-up basketball/soccer games in the gym?
Members of the Health and Recreation Center have access to the field house during the posted open times.

Can I rent the facility for an event? (i.e. Craft shows, Latino Summit, College Nights for local high schools, etc.)
For information about rentals, visit harpercollege.edu/campusrec and select “Rent Our Facility.”

Fitness Classes

What fitness classes are available at the Health and Recreation Center?
Both credit and Palatine park District classes are available at the Health and Recreation Center.

How do I register for a Palatine Park District fitness class offered at the Health and Recreation Center?
Palatine Park District aquatic, dance and fitness classes.

How do I register for a Harper College credit fitness class? 
Register for credit courses, such as KIN 100, through the MyHarper portal and complete Harper’s application and registration process.

If I am employed by Harper College can I use my employee tuition waiver for Palatine Park District classes? 
No. Harper employee tuition waivers do not apply to Palatine Park District classes.

Does Harper College offer any Continuing Education (CE) fitness classes at the Health and Recreation Center?
No. Currently, the non-credit fitness classes are offered by the Palatine Park District. Register for a PPD aquatic, dance or fitness class.

Does Harper College offer Continuing Education fitness classes at other locations? 
Yes, non-credit continuing education fitness classes are offered in the surrounding community. See all continuing education classes.

Can I use my Harper College employee tuition waiver to take a Continuing Education fitness class?
Yes, but only if the fitness class is held off-campus and if you are eligible for an employee CE tuition waiver.

What fitness classes are available to Harper College employees?
Any credit course offered at the Health and Recreation Center is available to Harper employees. Employees may register through the MyHarper portal. Note: Employee tuition waivers only apply to credit classes and have a registration restriction. 

When can Harper employees and their dependents enroll in a credit fitness class (KIN 100 level)?
Employees and their eligible dependents using an employee tuition waiver must wait to enroll in any KIN 100-level class until one week prior to the start of the class, unless you or your dependent are pursuing a credential in this program. If you would like to enroll any earlier, you may do so by paying the full price of the class.

Please note: Effective spring of 2019, if you register more than one week prior to the start of a KIN 100-level class, you will forfeit your employee tuition waiver for the class (except for those pursuing a credential in this program of study).

Why do Harper employees and their dependents have to wait to register for a KIN 100-level class credit class?
Employees and their dependents must wait because priority is given to students who are required complete the classes for their degree or certificate.

Northwest Community Healthcare  - Health Services 

Where can I find information about the NCH Outpatient Care Center’s hours and services?
Visit NCH Outpatient Care Center at Harper College.

Does the NCH Outpatient Care Center at the Health and Recreation Center offer immediate care services?
Yes, they offer immediate care, primary care, laboratory services, imaging, physical therapy, and more seven days a week. Insurance and fees apply. Read more.

Can I use the NCH Outpatient Care Center at Harper without health insurance?
Insurance is not required; fees for service do apply. The Outpatient Care Center at Harper accepts a variety of health insurance plans. If you do not have insurance, Harper students can obtain services at a discounted rate. Please visit the facility located in the Health and Recreation Center (Building M) for more information.

My Harper program or sport requires a physical, can I get this at the Outpatient Care Center on campus?
Yes, Harper students who are required to have a physical may visit the Outpatient Care Clinic at the Health and Recreation Center. For specific questions, speak to your program coordinator or the Director of Athletics.

How does NCH Outpatient Care Center work with my health insurance if I employed by Harper College?
For members of the PPO or PPO Wellness plan, Northwest Community Healthcare is a plan provider. Simply present your Blue Cross Blue Shield card to the desk staff and they will bill Blue Cross accordingly. You will be responsible for paying either the co-pay or deductible, depending on the service you are receiving. Note: Please contact Blue Cross Blue Shield directly for questions regarding your medical coverage. You will find the customer service number on the back of your medical insurance ID card.

HMO members must go to their primary medical group/physician listed on their insurance card for care. If you have selected Northwest Community Health Center (NCH – group #336) as your primary care, then you will only be responsible for paying the appropriate co-pay at the time of service. If you have chosen another primary care group/physician, you may still use the facility; however, you will be responsible for paying the full cost of the service provided. Your HMO insurance does not cover non-emergency care provided by anyone other than your primary care group/facility.

If I get injured while working at Harper College, do I go to the on-campus Outpatient Care Center or can I go to my own doctor?
Harper College employees are encouraged to go to NCH Outpatient Care Center at the Health and Recreation Center (Building M) for several reasons:

• You will be seen immediately at NCH Outpatient Care Center; no waiting for an appointment.
• The doctors at NCH Outpatient Care Center have experience with occupational injuries such as strains and sprains, possibly more than the general internist.
• NCH Outpatient Care Center has on-site diagnostic equipment such as x-ray imaging for a faster diagnosis.
• NCH Outpatient Care Center will bill Harper directly so there will not be any complications with an employee's group health coverage.

Note: you may choose to see your own physician. Learn more.

What if a Harper College student experiences a non-life threatening injury or illness during a class or lab?
Students and guests may seek services at the NCH Outpatient Care Center at the  Health and Recreation Center (Building M), however, they are responsible for all service costs. They may also seek treatment from their own primary care physician.

Note: If the injury was due to a classroom related event, notify the instructor.
Instructors should complete the Student Injury Report Form and email it to Environmental Health and Safety.

Don’t see the answer to your question? Please contact Laura Crisman at lcrisman@harpercollege.edu or 847.925.6802.