As Oakland University prepares to host the national Republican debate on Wednesday, Nov. 9, the campus community is advised to prepare for several changes to roads, parking and facility operations.
While officials are working to minimize disruptions, there will be a great influx of traffic starting Monday, Nov. 7 and continuing through Thursday, Nov. 10. Campus administrators anticipate having thousands of additional people on campus for events and activities during this period.
Pioneer Drive will be closed from Ravine Drive to just south of the P-26 lot entrance beginning at 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, and continuing through 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
Lots P-16, P-26 and P-18 will be closed from 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, until 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9. The Oakland University Police Department will accommodate handicap parking in P-18 and P-26 lots during this period.
Lot P-17 will be closed from 11 p.m., Nov. 8 until noon on Thursday, Nov. 10.
Lot P-29, the university parking deck will have only the top floor and ramp only be closed from 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, until 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9. The remaining spaces in the parking deck will be available for normal use.
The P-57 lot, located on East Campus, will be reserved, but not closed, as an overnight holding area for media trucks arriving on campus in the days just prior to the event. Beginning at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov.9, the lot will be made available for overflow parking associated with the debate.
In order to ease the parking strain during this time, OUPD will open up roughly 100 spaces north of the P-11 lot near the upper fields, about 110 spaces between the P-1 lot and Squirrel Road, and approximately 200 spaces west of P-37.
To view these locations,
download the debate campus map.
The Recreation Center will be closed for all regular activity from 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, until noon on Thursday, Nov. 10. Additionally, specific areas within the Recreation Center, such as the Three-Court Gym, the Pioneer Room and the track, will be affected additional days and times leading up to and following the full facility closure. Please refer to the Department of Campus Recreation website at oakland.edu/campusrec for specific details of the areas affected.
Due to the partial closure of Pioneer Drive on Wednesday, Nov. 9, some university departments may experience a disruption in mail and central receiving services due to limited access. The possibility of additional restrictions may also inhibit delivery that day. Anyone expecting an urgent delivery should contact William Neuser at
neuser@oakland.edu or Kathryn Walters at
kwalters@oakland.edu. Individuals expecting important deliveries that day may be asked to retrieve them.
Should any members of the campus community wish to participate or observe demonstrations, they may do so in the designated Freedom of Speech area. For more information regarding guidelines,
click here.
The debate represents a unique opportunity for Oakland to showcase its distinctive educational programs and to demonstrate its reputation for excellence. At the same time, the event offers a plethora of student- and community-friendly experiences, offering many opportunities to take part in the democratic process. To learn about events on campus and how to participate,
click here.
It is also important to note that as debate planning is finalized, changes may be made to logistical arrangements outlined on the
Debate at Oakland website. The campus community and visitors are encouraged to log onto to the site regularly to get updates on planning efforts.
