COVID-19 update: accessing campus space for faculty; parking changes
Campus access for faculty
Now that the university has successfully allowed more research areas to open up in a safe and secure manner, similar plans are underway to allow faculty members and instructors access to prepare for online lectures.
Similar to the research recovery plan, the faculty plan will be carried out in a phased approach, allowing different levels of access over the next few months, as health and safety allows.
While working from home continues to be the first option for the majority of faculty, carefully co-ordinated access to offices and some shared spaces will be provided for those who require it for recording online lectures or other course materials.
Phase One launched this week with a booking system that is meant to ensure individual buildings are reopened in accordance with public health guidelines for physical distancing.
Access to offices for purposes other than course preparation will only be available at a later phase of the return to campus.
Future phases will allow access to Echo 360-enabled classrooms, teaching lab spaces and on-campus recording spaces. Timing of those phases will be rolled out with careful consideration of safety and public health guidelines.
Read the full details of the phased approach in a letter from the acting vice-provost, Faculty.
Changes to parking on campus
As researchers and faculty gradually return to campus, some changes will take place to help control the flow of traffic in campus lots.
Parking gates will be lowered as of July 1, and all transponders previously active when the campus moved to primarily remote operations in March 2020 will automatically be reactivated on July 2, 2020.
Monthly parking will remain free of charge for permit holders when parking in their designated lots. Payroll deductions for permit holders will resume at a future date.
Regular daily rates for visitor parking will apply as of July 2, 2020.
The West Campus shuttle service will also resume on July 2, 2020 to provide transportation to and from Lot M and Lots NP.
The Wilson Underground and Ward Avenue lots are now closed. Wilson Underground permit holders will be granted access to Lots B, C, D and Ward Ave permit holders will be granted access to Lot M on a temporary basis.
New Faculty/Staff, students, or those who did not have a parking permit as of March 2020 should email parking@mcmaster.ca if they require parking on campus after July 2, 2020.
