McMaster gears up for move-in weekend

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August 31, 2007

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Mary_Keyes.jpg” caption=”First-year students will move into residences such as Mary E. Keyes this weekend. Photo by Susan Bubak.”]As you read this, first-year university students are packing their bags, anxiously wondering what their new digs are going to look like this year. This weekend, they'll find out when they move into residence at McMaster.

As that time nears, Housing and Conference Services is busy preparing for move-in weekend from Saturday, Sept. 1 to Monday, Sept. 3.

“We are gearing up to welcome the 'Class of 2011' 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, first-year students will move into north quad residences Brandon, Edwards and McKay and west quad residences Bates and Matthews. On Sunday, first-year students will move into north quad residences Hedden, Les Prince, 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 either the roadway south of the Ivor Wynne Centre or the entrance north of the Ivor Wynne Centre. Vehicles will then be directed to the marshalling and unloading areas for their residence.

After unloading, all cars will be directed to “longer term” parking opposite the DeGroote School of Business building and Zone 3NX. 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, Sept. 1, and Mary E. Keyes, Moulton and Matthews on Sunday, Sept. 2. All cars will then be directed to “longer term” parking in Zones 6, 7 and 3NX.

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 Zones 1 and 2.

Employees are asked to not park in the following areas:

  • Zone 1: 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.
  • Zone 2: Along Stearn Drive opposite the main entrance to the Commons Building/McKay Hall, the lot south of TB28 and 29 as well as the lot opposite the main entrances to the David Braley Athletic Centre, MUSC and the DeGroote School of Business building.

    Parking places along Stearn Drive between the Commons Building and TB28 and 29 must be vacated by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 31 so that the area can be roped off for the weekend.

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