PARKING & MOVE-IN INFORMATION: Dear Incoming Catamounts and Parents, In just a few short weeks the incoming class of 2017 will begin their journey here at Western Carolina University. The University is in full “move in” mode. Over the years plans have been developed to make the move-in process as efficient and pleasant as possible. These plans are designed to accomplish the move-in of almost 1600 freshman in a little over 10 hours. We strongly encourage students and their parents to review the move-in maps that can be found at our Parking Services Website wcu.edu/9005.asp . There are actually two maps for each dorm. The first is a general direction map in how to get to your dorm and the second is a map specifically for the unloading area of your dorm. These maps will help you go to where you need to go, unload at the right location, and park where you need to park. Freshman parking is available in Lot 19 and Lots 8a and 8b. The parking lot map can also be located on the Parking Services Website as well. As a rule of thumb for each freshman arriving on campus, the Police department estimates there will be 2-2.5 vehicles. That means that besides the freshmen who bring a vehicle to campus, we can count on well over two thousand vehicles on campus that are driven by family and friends. Additionally, our plans and procedures take into account the necessity of allowing ingress and egress to emergency vehicles at the residence halls. We would not wish for emergency services to be delayed due to blocked roadways or access points. Knowing this to be fairly accurate, we would ask that students and parents take a few minutes and review the following: · Please review the move-in maps. Each dorm has a specific traffic pattern designed into it so that you are on the right road, in the correct lane, and are guided to the right unloading area. Those who follow the maps will find that the process is much easier for them. wcu.edu/9005.asp . Those who attempt to use GPS navigation tools on campus will find that they will be receiving incorrect directions. We encourage you to utilize the maps rather than GPS. · Follow directions of the officers and parking personnel. They are very experienced in assisting you to the right place. Their goal is to get everyone to where they need to be as quickly as they can. As you arrive at the general location of your dorm you will be given a color coded piece of paper to place on your dashboard. This allows Officers and parking personnel to quickly recognize your destination and direct you accordingly. · Please do not engage in directional conversations with officers at intersections. This distracts the officer and creates traffic safety issues in the resulting backup. There are personnel in parking lots and at the dormitories who can answer any questions that you might have. · You will be directed to the unloading area for your particular dorm. There will be a large group of volunteers who will help you unload your car, assist in carrying items to your room, and to help direct you to any services that you might require. · You will be asked to unload your vehicle at the curb and then immediately move it to one of the parking areas. Vehicles are not to be left unattended during the unloading process. This allows the process to move forward continuously and maintains ingress for emergency vehicles. · Unfortunately, there are no “I just need to park here for five minutes” spaces available during move-in. The move-in patterns and traffic direction are based on a thorough knowledge of our campus. A vehicle parked in an unloading zone or traffic pattern can create a significant delay that we know is unintended but which can create significant issues. We will be required to tow vehicles in those instances. · We strongly urge folks to do their last minute shopping for fans, refrigerators, snacks, etc. prior to arriving at campus. If you must leave to perform these last minute shopping trips please go directly to the designated parking areas or you will have to go back through the move-in lines to get back to the dorm. The Cat-Tran shuttle buses will be working the entire time of move-in and will be concentrating their efforts to the parking lots where you will be directed. As the Director of Residential Living, Keith Corzine, spoke about during his orientation presentation, WCU has spent many years developing the move-in processes. They have proven to be very successful. We receive a substantial number of positive comments from parents each year, especially those who have experienced move-in elsewhere. Our goal is to make this experience as safe, quick, and enjoyable as possible. It would not be possible without your assistance and cooperation. We want to welcome you to the Catamount Family! Thanks. Ernie Hudson Chief of Police
Posted on: Thu, 01 Aug 2013 13:13:32 +0000
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