Update for Brandon Hall parents – December 23

With exams over, many of you are welcoming your students back home for the holidays. It certainly has been an eventful first term!

As we all prepare for the return of Brandon Hall residents to campus beginning Sunday, January 4 we wanted to make sure you were updated on the logistics and procedures to make a smooth transition to the start of the second term.

Prior to leaving their interim hotel accommodation, students received boxes, labels and instructions to pack away any items not needed over the holidays. These boxes have been moved by the University back to residence rooms where they are waiting in residence rooms for the students' return beginning January 4.

Some of you have been wondering about the procedures for move-in on January 4.

We encourage your students 'to beat the rush' by moving in between 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Students living on floors 5, 7, 9 and 11 should plan to move in from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Students living on floors 4, 6, 8 and 10 should plan to move in from 1 p.m. 10 4 p.m.

Students living on floors 1 to 3 may move in any time after 7 a.m.

One elevator will be designated for passengers only, and two will be run by operators for freight only. Please be prepared for some delays.

Carts will be available to assist you move your belongings from the parking lots to Brandon Hall where staff and volunteers will direct and assist you where necessary. The Commons Marketplace will be open and available to you on January 4 starting at 12 noon.

We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding on what will be an exciting and busy day for all.

We've also had some questions from parents about the steps taken to get the building ready for occupancy. Since the October 18 fire, teams of engineers, fire and restoration specialists and technicians have been working to ensure an early January return date.

In each residence room, new mattresses and blinds have been installed and carpets have been replaced or cleaned. Walls and ceilings in rooms and hallways have been painted or sanitized. All furnishings, telephones and fixtures, including refrigerators that were left behind, have also been cleaned.

Over the past few weeks all of the building's smoke detectors have been replaced. Heat sensors have been inspected and replaced where necessary and all exit signs have been either cleaned, repaired or replaced. Audible testing of alarms on each floor and in each residence room has been completed, and a complete fire safety and security audit is also being conducted.

Once back on campus, residence life staff and representatives of the Hamilton Fire department will provide refresher fire and safety training for all students. This training begins on January 4 with mandatory community meetings at 10:15 p.m. for all floors. This will involve a thorough review of alarm systems, evacuation procedures and communication protocols. A full unannounced fire alarm and building evacuation is also planned in early January.

Youll recall a special Brandon Hall lounge was set up on campus. Now that students have returned, the lounge is being closed. Some of the furnishings, including the large screen televisions, will be relocated to Brandon Hall for residents' use and enjoyment.

Please note that McMaster is closed beginning December 24 and will reopen on January 5. Brandon students received an e-card with move-in details from Residence Admissions on December 23rd. Housing and Conference Services staff will be available to answer questions at 905-525-9140 ext.27222 after 7 a.m. on January 4.

Once again, we are thankful for your ongoing support, understanding and patience.

Have a happy and safe holiday season.

The Crisis Management Group