By Samuel Rubenfeld
The University announced its security and parking procedures for the week ahead of the last presidential debate at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex, or the Mack Arena.
Students do not have class on the day of the debate, Oct. 15, but all administrative offices are open, according to a document provided by University Relations. Everyone who has a car on campus must get a new rearview mirror parking permit by Oct. 9, or Public Safety will tow the car.
“All Hofstra ID holders must carry their ID if they wish to use Hofstra facilities or the main pedestrian bridges over Hempstead Turnpike” on Oct. 15, the document said. “Hofstra facility and road closings primarily affect the northeast portion of campus and the athletic facilities.”
Temporary fencing will be going up in various locations on North Campus, beginning Oct. 1.
For the week preceding the debate, on-campus parking and road access will be strictly limited. Beginning Oct. 9, Northern Boulevard will be closed from the intersection at the Three Bears Statue to the Softball Stadium. “There will be no thruway from the Earle Ovington Boulevard entrance to the main part of North Campus,” the document said. All of the parking lots along the road will be closed as well.
Colonial Drive, around the Recreation Center, will temporarily become a two-way street.
For the week, the parking lot behind Bill Of Rights and by the Student Center will serve as the shuttle stop and media credential parking area. It will be closed to University students, staff and faculty.
Beginning Saturday, Oct. 11, the eastern pedestrian bridge traversing Hempstead Turnpike from Hagedorn Hall to the Hofstra Dome will be closed, and will reopen Oct. 16. The entrance to campus at Earl Ovington Boulevard will close that day as well.
On Oct. 13, the only place for cars to enter North Campus will be at the Oak Street entrance. The main entrance will be reserved for shuttle buses and law enforcement. For Oct. 13 and 14, alternative parking lots set up for students, faculty and staff will be on the Intramural Field. Administrators working in the Student Center and Human Resources Bulding will park in the West Campus parking lot and will be bused to campus.
On the day of the debate, Earl Ovington Boulevard and portions of Hempstead Turnpike will be closed.
“It took us at least a half hour to park in the morning last semester,” said Nicole Gallant, a junior print journalism and english double major, referring to her daily carpool. “It’s going to be an atrocious mess.”
Not only will parking be limited, but many offices and atheletes games are being moved as well. The Physical Fitness Center closed to public events Sept. 6, and will reopen Oct. 17 when the Volleyball team hosts a match against University of North Carolina- Wilmington. All athletic offices in either the PFC or the Mack Arena will relocate either to Margiotta Hall or to Shuart Stadium beginning Sept. 26.
Anyone accessing the PFC or the Mack Arena after Sept. 29 will need University-issued credentials.
ROTC relocated all of its offices and facilities from the PFC to West Campus, or 773 Fulton Avenue, until Oct. 20. The Swim Center closes Sept. 28 and reopens Oct. 20. Classes and offices in the Hofstra Dome will move Oct. 11 to individually-assigned locations, returning Oct. 16.