McMaster gears up for move-in weekend

As you read this, countless first-year university students are packing their bags, anxiously wondering what their new digs are going to look like this year.

They’ll find out Aug. 29 when they move into residence at McMaster. As that time nears, Housing and Conference Services is busy preparing for move-in Aug. 29 to Aug. 31.

“We are gearing up to welcome the ‘Class of 2019’ as well as returning students who will be moving into University residences from August 29 to August 31,” says Kevin Beatty, Director of Housing and Conference Services.  “Extensive planning has been dedicated to co-ordinate the student move-in and make it as efficient as possible for the students and their families.”

On Saturday, over 1,850 first-year students will move into north quad residences Brandon, Edwards, Les Prince and McKay and west quad residences Bates and Matthews. On Sunday, another 1,285 first-year students will move into north quad residences Hedden, Woodstock and Whidden, and west quad residences Mary E. Keyes, Moulton and Wallingford. All upper-year students will be allowed to move into residence on Monday.

Parking and Security Services have assisted in the preparation of the plans to move traffic from neighbourhood streets onto and through campus as quickly and efficiently as possible.

All residents moving into the north quad will be directed north on Forsyth Avenue and will enter campus at Stearn Dr. south of the Ivor Wynne Centre or the entrance off Mayfair north of the Ivor Wynne Centre. Vehicles are then directed to the marshalling and unloading areas for their residence.  After unloading, all cars are directed to ‘short term’ parking opposite the Michael G. DeGroote building and Lot I. All routes will be well signed and staff will be assigned to key locations to facilitate efficient traffic flow.

Move-in cars will not be directed on campus through the Sterling Street entrance. Only employees, emergency vehicles, delivery trucks and HSR buses should be using the Sterling Street gate.  Employees will be directed to Lot B closest to Wilson House.  All Athletics’ Teams/Coaches/Buses will be directed to Lot H by way of Forsythe and the top of Mayfair Circle.

On the west side of campus, all cars will enter off Cootes Drive and be directed to holding areas for their specific residence and then proceed to unload in front of Bates and Matthews on Saturday, Aug. 29, and Mary E. Keyes, Moulton and Wallingford on Sunday, Aug. 30.  All cars are then directed to ‘short term’ parking in Lots M, N and I.

University employees who must attend campus using the Sterling Street entrance should try to avoid the large volume of traffic moving north to south through campus and move-in parking in Lots C, D, E, F, G and H.  These employees are encouraged to park in Lot B opposite Wilson House, Lots I and K.

View these parking lots on Parking’s web site http://parking.mcmaster.ca/map2.htm

Employees are asked not to park in the following areas Saturday and Sunday:

• Lot H.  All areas and along the roadway between Alumni Field and the 10-acre field. All parking spaces plus the roadways will be used for move-in traffic.

• Lots F, G and along Stearn Drive opposite the main entrance to the Commons Building/McKay Hall, Lot E south of TB28 & 29 as well as Lots C and D opposite the David Braley Athletic Centre/Ivor Wynne Centre, MUSC and the Michael G. DeGroote Building.

Parking places along Stearn Drive opposite the main entrance to the Commons Building/McKay Hall must be vacated by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, August 28 so the area may be roped off for the weekend.

“Residence move-in is always a complex operation.  We are committed to minimizing the impact of this operation on the University’s closest neighbours and to making the experience a positive one for our students and their families,” says Beatty. “Everyone’s patience and co-operation is greatly appreciated”.