Fall move-in presents challenges

Approximately 6,500 students will move into their university residence halls this week with the help of their families and friends.

On Wednesday, Aug. 25, some 1,300 students will move in with permission to arrive early. The busiest days will be Friday, Aug. 27, and Saturday, Aug. 28. Approximately 2,600 students will move in between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on each of those days.

This won’t be just an ordinary fall move-in, according to Mike Kinderman, director of Residence Halls Facilities.

“The road and utility construction on campus brings us unique challenges this year because of delays due to weather and unknown conditions,” says Kinderman. “These projects are typically completed by the move-in dates, but not this year. Several roads leading to and around campus will be shut down or one-way, causing traffic to be rerouted.”

Due to the Park Street closure, it has been necessary to reroute all Lakeshore, Chadbourne and Barnard hall residents from the normal traffic route.

Several large message boards will be positioned around the campus to direct those who are moving in, and e-mails have been sent to students to help them find their way through the maze.

The three major move-in days will bring thousands of people to campus, many of whom will be experiencing these detours for the first time. Kinderman says motorists should expect delays and avoid the area if possible.

To accommodate students and their parents as they unload their vehicles, the following streets and traffic flow will be affected on Aug. 25, 27 and 28 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.:

• Observatory Drive from Charter Street to Babcock Drive will be restricted primarily to move-in traffic and will be one-way westbound;
• Elm Drive north of Observatory Drive will be restricted primarily to move-in traffic and will be one-way northbound;
• Willow Drive will be open to one-way traffic west to Marsh Lane;
• Lake Street between West Johnson and West Dayton streets will be closed to traffic.

Several parking lots near the halls will be used for move-in unloading. This will severely limit spaces and will force some staff to seek parking in other lots.

Find move-in information and a map of recommended routes to the residence halls.