With off-campus construction still in process and a large class of incoming freshman, Oakland University students, faculty and staff are reminded to allow extra time and to pack their patience as they return to campus for the fall semester.
Northbound Squirrel Road from Featherstone to Pioneer will remain closed until well into the fall term. As such, members of the campus community coming in from westbound M-59 are advised to exit at Adams Road, head north and enter campus at the Meadow Brook Road entrance. Eastbound M-59 traffic should merge onto northbound I-75 and exit at University Drive.
All other roadway construction immediately adjacent to campus should be completed and all campus entrances and exits should be open by the start of classes on Thursday, Sept. 2.
Finding a convenient parking spot may be a challenge during the first few weeks of the new semester, but initiatives from the Oakland University Police Department and Office of Student Affairs are in place to make it as smooth an experience as possible.
Throughout the main campus, OUPD will close parking lots once they are full, with the exception of allowing authorized drivers to enter and access available handicap spaces.
As main campus lots begin to fill, sufficient available parking can often be found in the
parking structure, the
P-11 lot by the Upper Fields, as well as the
P-37 lot and the new
P-35 lot near Pioneer Road and Library Drive. In addition, more than 450 temporary turf parking spaces have been marked and will be opened in those areas as needed and as weather conditions allow.
Oakland’s student radio station, 88.3 WXOU-FM, will broadcast updated parking availability information to the degree possible and based on information provided by the OUPD.
From 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the first full week of class, eight information tents manned by student volunteers will be set up in various locations throughout campus to provide maps, directions and information to any new members of the community who may be unfamiliar with campus building locations, roadways, etc.
Students living in the residence halls and student apartments are urged to walk or bike to class rather than attempt to drive for purposes of finding a closer parking space. This should help alleviate some of the expected congestion.
New sidewalks and lighting have been installed throughout campus and additional bicycles have been added to the OU Bike Share Program to assist students as they traverse different areas of the campus.
Students should plan to get to campus at least an hour in advance of their class start time and to leave their vehicle in the same parking location throughout the day. Many campus offices and services will have extended hours, including Kresge Library, OU Rec Center, Pioneer Food Court, Café O’Bears and the Barnes & Noble Bookstore.
Traffic exiting campus is also likely to be congested at times. Students are encouraged to remain on campus until non-peak exit times, and to plan for additional travel time as they leave campus for the day.
