It’s the move-in weekend three years in the making. For the first time since 2019, Housing & Conference Services (HCS) will host a move-in experience for almost 4,000 incoming first-year students beginning on Saturday, August 27th at 9 a.m. and continuing until 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 28th.  

Faculty Reps, Residence Orientation Reps, Maroons, and Archway Reps will be bringing move-in back with their dance moves and cheers, along with assisting families who would like help with unloading their vehicles. Professional staff members will be on site to direct traffic, check students into their residence spaces, and welcome them to their campus home. 

While masks are not required during move-in activities, the university continues to strongly encourage our community to wear a mask when indoors. 

In anticipation of an exciting weekend on campus, HCS has partnered with McMaster Security and Parking Services to minimize the impact of traffic on our neighbours and the community. Students and parents are expected to follow specific traffic routes and arrive during their pre-scheduled building time slot to reduce traffic congestion.   

• On Saturday, August 27th, over 2,200 first-year students will move into North Quad residence buildings: Brandon, Hedden, Les Prince, McKay, Whidden and Woodstock Halls.   
• On Sunday, August 28th, move in will happen at all West Quad residence buildings, including Mary E. Keyes. Residence, Bates, Matthews, Moulton and Wallingford Halls. North Quad residences Edwards Hall and PGCLL will also see students moving in.  

Families departing campus and travelling on Highway 403 eastbound should plan for lane closures between King Street West and Highway 6 North.  

New for 2022, students and families with questions or requiring other assistance during the move-in weekend can contact HCS’ live chat team. Live chat will be available on August 27th and 28th from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and can be accessed by clicking on the chat icon on https://housing.mcmaster.ca.   

Information for McMaster staff attending campus between Aug. 27th and Aug. 28th   

Saturday – McMaster Employee Information   

University employees who need to access McMaster via the Sterling Street entrance should avoid the large volume of traffic moving north to south through campus.   

• Employees will be directed to park in Lot I or Underground.    
• A shuttle bus from Lot I to the Rose Garden will be operational on Saturday.   

The Sterling Street entrance will be shared by employees, emergency vehicles and delivery trucks. HSR buses will be re-routed for the duration of the move-in weekend, please visit the HSR website for more details.   

Any pick-ups or deliveries on campus should use an alternate location away from the hustle and bustle of residence move-in activity.   

Employees are asked not to park in Lot H, Lot G, Lot D, Lot C and Lot Q on Saturday.   

Sunday – McMaster Employee Information   

Staff who usually access McMaster via the intersection at Main St. West are encouraged to enter on the east side of campus. Please use the roadways in the Westdale Community due to the higher than usual volume of traffic entering campus via University Ave.   

• Employees will be directed to park in the Underground, Lot B or Lot M   
• A shuttle bus will be available on Sunday from Lot M.   

Employees are asked not to park in Lots D, H, G, I or Q on Sunday.   

For a detailed view of campus, please view the parking lot map on Parking Service’s website.   

For additional move-in weekend information, please visit the Move-In Week page.