[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Wallingford2.jpg” caption=”Wallingford Hall, one of McMaster’s 11 residences.”]In mere days, the relative peace and calm of summer will be but a distant memory as students return to campus in full force this weekend.

From Sept. 3-5, approximately 3,150 first-year students will move into McMaster's 11 residences. All beds in residences are spoken for. A new residence, currently under construction, will open in September, 2006 with 390 beds.

“Moving into residence is an exciting time for students, their families and for us,” says Cathie Miller, director of Housing and Conference Services. “With the help of the Inter Residence Council, and many, many student volunteers from across all faculties, Housing staff will again do their best to make the process efficient and fun so students receive a great introduction and welcome to McMaster.”

On Saturday, first-year students will move into north quad residences Brandon, Edwards, Whidden and west quad residences Bates and Matthews. On Sunday, first-year students will move into north quad residences Hedden, McKay and Woodstock 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 just beyond the Ivor Wynne Centre. Vehicles then proceed to Zone 1 and south to the unloading areas for each residence. After unloading, all cars are directed to 'longer term' parking opposite the Michael G. DeGroote building and in the centre of campus. All traffic exits campus via Sterling Street. 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. 3, and Mary E. Keyes, Moulton and Matthews on Sunday, Sept. 4. All cars are then directed to 'longer term' parking in Zones 6, 7 and Zone 3 Annex.

University employees who must attend campus using the Sterling Street entrance are encouraged to park beside/behind Wentworth House in order to avoid the large volume of traffic moving north to south through campus and the parking congestion in the centre of campus.

All routes will be well signed and staff will be assigned to key locations to facilitate efficient traffic flow. Employees are asked to not park in the following areas:

• Zone 1 between Hedden Hall and the track, and along the roadway between the football 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 the tennis courts as well as the lot opposite the main entrances to MUSC and the Michael G. DeGroote Building.
• Zone 3 Annex Parking south of Mary E. Keyes Residence.

Parking places along Stearn Drive between the Commons Building and the Temporary Classroom Building must be vacated by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2 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. “Your patience and co-operation are greatly appreciated.”