MTOP Policies & Procedures

Outdoor Trips

This is a team effort, and we need everyone’s help with being respectful to everyone on the trip.

• Treat others as you would want them to treat you. We have all types of people join our trips, and we love it, so be kind to everyone. In general, we like to steer conversations away from politics, religion, and extreme partying and sexual conduct. You never know what is offensive to others, so just air on the side of appropriate conversation.
  • If staff feel that lines are crossed, they will politely ask you to change the subject. If it continues to happen, staff will continue to tell you to stop. It’s been a bigger issue this year than normal.
• Listen to MTOP staff as they have the group’s best interest in mind
• Help with group cooking and cleaning, and other camp chores. Staff are here to help, but we rely on participants to help out as well.
• Observe quiet times at night (10p-7a). Keep it to a whisper to let other sleep
• No speakers please.
• Phones – we know you will bring them but try to be off them more than normal. Try something new. You also may not have service.
• Leave drugs, alcohol and tobacco (vape included) products at home.
  •  Required to report issues upon return with drugs or alcohol on a trip. Talk to staff about tobacco if you cannot go without it.
• LNT (leave no trace) overview: trash, restroom etiquette, respect wildlife and other visitors, leave what you find
• DO NOT PACK:
  • Firearms, fireworks, recreational drugs or alcohol
  • Electronic devices (laptops, iPads, etc). You may bring your phones, but we will encourage limited use of them throughout the week.
• If you cannot follow the rules and have been asked to multiple times to follow them, MTOP staff has the right to remove you from the trip and you will be responsible for someone to come pick you up from the trip at your expense without a refund. We have only had to do this a couple of times in 15 years, help us keep this number low 😊

Trip Refund Policy

We want to remind you that our trips are non-refundable if you decide you cannot come for some reason. The exception is a family emergency or illness. We have simply had too many students in the past register, and then try to cancel, and then MTOP has a hard time refilling their spot and is on the hook for money already spent on the trip.

Rental Equipment

• Reservation Process:
  • Gear is rented on a first-come, first-serve basis, and although we have a large inventory and walk-up rentals are allowed, we encourage you to make advanced reservations to guarantee the gear you need. You can make reservations in person or over the phone and can email [email protected] if you need help outside of operating hours. The Rental Center phone number is 615-898-8335.
  • If you cannot make it when we are open, we will try our best to make accommodations for you outside of normal hours. You need to contact [email protected] in advance to inquire about this.
• If you pay in advance, we will have items ready for pickup on the first day of the rental, saving you time as it takes a little while to put things together
• Reservations canceled 24 hours in advance are eligible for a full refund, but reservations canceled within 24 hours will not be refunded.
• Equipment returned late is charged at twice the daily rate for every day the equipment is late.
• Equipment is available to anyone in the MTSU community as well as the public.
• Rental Rate Periods:
  • Daily: one 24-hour period (available Monday, Tuesday*, Thursday, and Friday)
    • *we are closed on Wednesdays, so the daily rate will be granted for a Tuesday – Thursday time period
  • Weekend: pickup on Friday and return Monday during business hours)

Climbing Wall

• A waiver must be signed before climbing
• A Climbing Wall staff must be present to climb on the wall
• Only Climbing Wall staff and those who are belay-certified through MTOP can belay climbers
• If there is a line to climb, participants are asked to limit climbs to two per person
• While the wall can be a place to hang out for a short period of time, as it is a small space, we ask that participants do not stay for over 30 minutes after climbing so that staff can continue to serve other guests
• MTOP staff will only belay an individual up to four climbs if availability allows, but beyond that, individuals need to bring a belay certified climbing partner to belay
• Belay classes are taught weekly during the semester and is highly encouraged for people to go to the class. Please bring someone to climb for you as a part of the belay test
• Appropriate pants/shorts, shirt, and shoes should be worn, have long hair in a ponytail, and remove jewelry before climbing.
• Photos and video are allowed but limit it to people you know and have permission from them
• Use of personal equipment should be approved by Climbing Wall staff
• MTSU Campus Recreation reserves the right to suspend any individual for violating the above safety policies and rules, or for any conduct that is viewed as unsafe or inappropriate