McMaster gears up for move-in weekend

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August 28, 2008

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Mary_Keyes.jpg” caption=”More than 3,000 students will move into McMaster residences, including Mary Keyes, this weekend. Photo by Susan Bubak.”]As you read this, thousands of first-year students are packing their bags, anxiously wondering what their new digs are going to look like. This weekend, they'll find out when they move into McMaster residences. As that time nears, Housing and Conference Services is busy preparing for move-in weekend from Saturday, Aug. 30 to Monday, Sept. 1.

“We are gearing up to welcome the Class of 2012 as well as returning students who will be moving into University residences over the Labour Day weekend,” says Cathie Miller, director of Housing and Conference Services. “Extensive planning has been dedicated to co-ordinate the student move-in to be effective for the students and their families.”

On Saturday, more than 1,600 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 1,300 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 move into residence on Monday.

In order to move traffic from neighbourhood streets onto and through campus as quickly and efficiently as possible on Saturday and Sunday, the following plans have been put in place.

All residents moving into the north quad will be directed north on Forsyth Avenue and will enter campus at Stearn Drive south of the Ivor Wynne Centre or the entrance 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 longer 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.

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. 30, and Mary E. Keyes, Moulton and Matthews on Sunday, Aug. 31. All cars are then directed to longer term parking in Lots M, N and I.

University employees who must enter 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. Employees are encouraged to park in Lot B opposite Wentworth House, Lots I and K.

To view these parking lots, please visit parking.mcmaster.ca/map2.htm.

Employees are asked not to park in the following areas:

  • 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 T28 and T29 as well as Lots C and D opposite the David Braley Athletic Centre/Ivor Wynne Centre, MUSC and the Michael G. DeGroote Building.

    Parking spots along Stearn Drive opposite the main entrance to the Commons Building/McKay Hall must be vacated by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29 so that the area can be roped off for the weekend.

    “Residence move-in is always a big 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 Miller. “Everyone's patience and co-operation is greatly appreciated.”