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 this weekend when they move into residence at McMaster. As that time nears, Housing and Conference Services is busy preparing for move-in weekend Sept. 5 to Sept. 7.

“We are gearing up to welcome the Class of 2013 as well as returning students who will be moving into University residences over the Labour Day weekend,” said 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, over 1,700 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 Dr. 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 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, Sept. 5, and Mary E. Keyes, Moulton and Matthews on Sunday, Sept. 6. All cars will then be directed to “longer term” parking in Lots M, N and I.

Employees are asked not to park in the following areas:

Employees are encouraged to park in Lot B opposite Wentworth House, Lots I and K.
View these parking lots on Parking's web site

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, Sept. 4 so that the area may 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.