Free Coffee for Shuttle Riders Extended

During the first four days of the shuttle service between the campus and the Worcester Airport, approximately 155 riders took the 10-minute ride between the two locations. Thanks to Student Affairs and Chartwells, riders have received vouchers for free coffee and mugs. We are pleased to announce that the free coffee offer will continue through the rest of the semester. We are also conducting a drawing for free parking in the President’s parking space. Winners will receive two weeks of parking in two-week cycles beginning Monday, February 4, excluding spring break week. The tickets for the drawing are available at the Information Desk and the Succeed in Four tables located in the Sullivan Building and Student Center.

Please note that parking in the garage is for commuter and resident students as follows: commuters will park on the first and second floors, while floors three, four, five and six are reserved for resident students.

Reminder to WSU Students: President Barry Maloney will be holding a series of meetings with residential and commuter students on the following dates:

February 26, 2013

9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at Sullivan Commons

7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Dowden Hall

February 27, 2013

12:20 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. at Student Center Living Room

6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Chandler Village

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Seven Hills Lounge

These open meetings reflect President Maloney’s desire to engage students on topics of interest to WSU students. He will be joined by other campus administrators; topics for discussion are not limited to parking.

Parking Changes for Spring Semester 2013

As Worcester State University continues to move forward with plans for a much needed new residence hall and wellness center, and the subsequent loss of some on-campus parking, The University will be adding 300 satellite parking spaces at the Worcester Airport combined with a shuttle service between the campus and the airport.

The new residence hall will not only help meet student demand for on campus housing, but will also provide a richer university experience for our students. The residence hall, which is slated to open in 2014, is expected to be home to 400 students and will feature a dining hall overlooking the John F. Coughlin Field. While this important phase of growth at Worcester State will enable students to enjoy and take advantage of a comprehensive university environment for years to come, it does necessitate this off-site parking option and shuttle service.

Beginning with the start of spring semester, Thursday, January 17, the shuttle service will be available to the entire WSU community between the campus and the airport. The shuttle will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays.

Benefits for shuttle riders will include:

The first 300 shuttle riders will receive a free Starbucks coffee coupon from Chartwells.
Student Affairs will provide vouchers for free spooner mugs while supplies last. They will be available for pick up at the Information Desk in the Student Center, in the Student Activities Office and the Student Affairs Office.
The university will conduct a drawing for two weeks of free parking in the President’s parking space. Winners will receive two weeks of parking in two week cycles beginning Monday, February 4, excluding spring break week. The tickets for the drawing will be available beginning January 17 at the Information Desk and the Succeed in Four tables located in the Sullivan Building and Student Center. The drawing will be held for all of the winners, Wednesday, January 30 at 11:30 a.m. in the Exhibit Area. Student winners will be provided with a parking pass to be displayed on their dashboard for the two weeks that they have won.

Students and staff are encouraged to carpool both for convenience and sustainability. Resources to form carpools include MassRides or visit the WSU commuter web page (www.worcester.edu/commuterservices) or contact the Commuter Services Office at 508-929-8672.

Questions about parking and/or the shuttle should be directed to the University Police Parking Clerk’s office at 508-929-8887 or by emailing airport@worcester.edu.

Below are answers to frequently asked questions.

How is parking on campus changing?
Due to construction, parking on the upper campus is being taken off-line and parking space assignments across the campus are being shifted. Click here for the map for locations of general, faculty and staff parking.

What will parking be like on campus?
The parking garage will be designated for residential and commuter students. Residential student parking has been expanded in the garage and commuter students are also welcome to park in the garage as space permits. Parking on campus and in the Temple Emanuel parking lot is also permissible as space is available. However, there will not be enough on-campus parking spaces to accommodate all staff and students, particularly during peak class hours.

What about handicap parking?
Individuals who have a HP (handicap) placard for their vehicles, are allowed to park in any space on campus if the handicap spaces are full.

Where will resident students park?
Resident students with resident student parking decals will continue to have designated parking on campus in the parking garage.

How much time should I allow to park before class?
Allow about 30 minutes. The shuttle will run continuously. A one-way trip between the campus and the airport takes about ten minutes, depending on traffic.

Where is the Worcester Airport?
The airport is a short drive from campus at 375 Airport Drive, Worcester. For a map and directions, click here:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Worcester+Airport&hl=en&sll=42.275435,-71.807738&sspn=0.190523,0.270538&t=h&hq=Worcester+Airport&z=15

What are the parking lot hours at Worcester Airport?
WSU’s parking lot at Worcester Airport will be accessible 24/7. However, the shuttle will not run 24/7. See shuttle hours above.

What lot is WSU using at Worcester Airport?
The WSU lot is the gated lower parking lot in front of the Airport Terminal. To access the lot you must enter at the gated booth and take a ticket. When you leave the lot you must enter the ticket in the ticket reader in order for the gate to lift. If you have a problem with the ticket reader, press the assistance button on the gate. Someone from the airport will respond to your call.

Where do I wait for the shuttle at the airport?
The stop will be in the vicinity of the weather shelter at the lot. Signage will indicate where the shuttle will stop to pick up and drop off.

Where do I wait for the shuttle on campus?
The airport shuttle will depart campus from the same location where the Worcester Consortium shuttle and Worcester Center for Crafts shuttle can be boarded. The specific location is on the front roadway between the Sullivan Academic Center and Shaughnessy Administration buildings. Worcester Airport Limousine Service will be providing the shuttle service to the airport; they already provide shuttle service to the Craft Center. The airport shuttle will be a 14-passenger van. The airport van and the Craft Center van will be clearly marked with magnetic WSU signage.

Who can park at the Worcester Airport lot?
Any person from the WSU community who needs parking in order to conduct their business or classes on campus. Vehicles should have their WSU student, staff, faculty or visitor decal/hang tag.

What security is offered at the Worcester Airport?
WSU Police will be patrolling the airport lot regularly 24/7. As always, students with an emergency should contact University Police at 508-929-8911.

Will the shuttle run during bad weather?
The shuttle will follow the weather delay and cancellation policy of the campus.

Crane Near Student Center, Access to Upper Campus on 10/22

On Monday, October 22 a crane will be set up near the Student Center. The roadway between the athletic field and the Student Center will be shut-down for approx. 3 hours, between the hours of 7-10 a.m, to pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Contractors will be replacing a piece of equipment in the Student Center mechanical room that is going to require a crane to be set up on the roadway. The roadway between the LRC and the parking garage will be used as a two-way traffic flow to upper-campus. A WSU Officer will be stationed at the blinking light intersection to handle traffic. For crane location, click here.

Water and heat to be turned off briefly Thursday morning in May Street Building

In order to complete plumbing work in the May Street Building, (Temple Emanuel) water and heat will be turned off at 8:00 a.m., Thursday, October 18. Water and heat will be turned back on as soon as possible, no later than 10:00 a.m.

Arrival of Modular Building Units, Oct. 10, 12 & 15

10/9/12

In preparation for construction of the new Worcester State University Wellness Center in 2015, modular building units will be delivered to the campus on the following days:

Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Friday, October 12
Monday October 15

On each of these days, approximately 30 spaces will be taken off-line in the WSU parking lot near the South Entrance to the campus. University Police will mark the spaces the evening prior to the modular unit deliveries. Any cars parked in the off-line spaces will be towed in order to facilitate the deliveries. In addition, access to the South Entrance (May Street entrance) will be limited briefly during the deliveries. University Police and City of Worcester Police will facilitate traffic direction during that time. See the attached map indicating the delivery truck route. This route was selected to minimize the impact on parking and traffic as much as possible.

The new 100,000-square-foot Wellness Center will replace the existing gym building and feature athletic space, instructional space, studio space, and community space. Our student-athletes and the general student population will benefit greatly from this new facility. Not only will it support our educational programs, athletic programs and student fitness, it will be a terrific community resource. The current gymnasium was built in 1958 and was meant to serve just 400 students. Worcester State’s current enrollment is more than 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students. We understand that the construction period will present a temporary inconvenience, but will result in a much-improved campus experience for all. The patience and understanding of our students faculty and staff is much appreciated and we will provide construction and parking updates to the University community as soon as information becomes available.

WSU seeking off-site parking alternatives

In preparation for construction of the new Worcester State University Wellness Center in 2015, the university and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management, on behalf of the university, issued a request for proposals (RFP) to seek off-site parking alternatives for the university community. The university is committed to securing safe and convenient parking to be accompanied by a shuttle service to and from the campus. The university is currently investigating options for the spring semester and is involved in negotiations. An announcement will be made in the near future. Long term plans for off campus parking are currently being researched with the help from state and local officials and are intended to be in place for fall 2013. We will provide a status update to the university community by November 1, 2012. The new 100,000 square foot Wellness Center will replace the existing gym building and feature athletic space, instructional space, studio space, and community space. Our student athletes and the general student population will benefit greatly from this new facility. Not only will it support our educational programs, athletic programs and student fitness, it will be a terrific community resource. The current gymnasium was built in 1958 and was meant to serve just 400 students. Worcester State’s current enrollment is more than 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students. We understand that the construction period will present a temporary inconvenience, but will result in a much improved campus experience for all. The patience and understanding of our students faculty and staff is much appreciated and we will provide construction and parking updates to the university community as soon as information becomes available and post it at www.worcester.edu/construction. Thank you.

40 Spaces Offline in Temple Lot until 9:30 am on Oct. 3

10/2/12 Please note that approximately 40 spaces in the back of the Temple parking lot will be briefly blocked off, Wednesday, October 3, until 9:30 a.m. After 9:30 a.m. the Temple parking lot will be open.

Library Entrance to Remain Closed until October 15

Due to construction issues and weather delays, the main entrance of the Learning Resource Center (LRC) /Library will remain closed until October 15. During this period the lower entrance (between the LRC and Student Center) will remain open. Also, the two doorways on the concrete deck will continue to be available. Access to these doors will be via the ramp at the rear of the LRC building. Signage is installed to help direct the campus community and visitors in the proper direction to the entrances.

Fire Hydrant Flow Testing, Tues, Sept. 18 at 9am

Facilities will be performing a flow test on fire hydrants at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 18. These tests may cause a temporary discoloration of the water in campus buildings.

Thank you for your patience.

Main Entrance of the LRC/Library to be Temporarily Closed

9/11/12

In order to safely complete the new work for the main entrance of the Learning Resource Center/Library, the main entrance will be shut down from September 17 to October 1.

During this period the lower entrance (between the LRC and Student Center) will remain open. Also, the two doorways on the concrete deck will be made available as well. Access to these doors will be via the ramp at the rear of the LRC building.

Signage will also be installed to help direct the campus community and visitors in the proper direction to the entrances.

Availability of Parking at Temple Emanuel/May Street Building

9/4/12

During high holy days at Temple Emanuel the entire temple parking lot (located on Chandler Street) will not be available to WSU faculty, staff and students.

Sept. 17, 2012 until 2 p.m.

Sept. 18, 2012 until 1 p.m.

Sept. 25, 2012 from 6:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Sept. 26, 2012 all day

Temple Emanuel will have Worcester Police on duty all 4 days, helping with traffic and security.

Messages will be communicated to the campus community prior to these lot closings.

Handicapped Parking Spaces

8/29/12

In the past, Worcester State University faculty, staff and students who experience temporary disabilities were granted use of medical parking spaces through the Health Service Office. In those cases, individuals who did not have a handicap placard (HP) were issued a pass to use medical parking spaces for one semester.

Worcester State currently has more than the required number of handicap parking spaces on campus. Moving forward, the university will discontinue designated medical parking and will designate two or three spaces for medical staff parking for Health Service Office employees.

Students who have a temporary disability are encouraged to register with the Disability Services Office, who will issue accommodations based on the nature of their disability, their functional limitations and documentation.

Employees are encouraged to contact Calvin Hill in the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunity to discuss their accommodations. Students, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to apply for HP placards if their disability is such that they require special parking on a long term basis.

New parking at May Street Building Parking Lot

8/29/12

This fall Worcester State University entered into a lease agreement with our neighbors at Temple Emanuel. This will not only provided much needed classroom space in the May Street Building for our growing campus, but will provide 119 parking spaces for our use. Temple Emanual will retain use of 15 marked spaces. This will help ease the parking situation as we prepare for construction of our new Wellness Center.

Changes to faculty parking spaces in preparation for construction

(June 27, 2012) -- In preparation for construction of our new Wellness Center in 2015, WSU Facilities will begin preparation work for an athletic modular building which will be situated in the current faculty parking lot behind Sullivan Academic Building. In order to adjust for those spaces being off-line, Facilities will be making the following changes to faculty parking arrangements on campus:

The existing faculty lot behind the Sullivan Building will come off-line and will be used for the Athletic modular building.
The existing faculty spaces by the Science and Tech Center will be changed to general parking. This is being done so that when the Wellness Center project begins, Facilities does not have to make additional changes to faculty parking.
The existing faculty spaces in front of the Administration Building will be changed to general parking. This is being done so that when the Wellness Center project begins, Facilities does not have to make additional changes to faculty parking.
The new faculty parking spaces (110 total) will be located in two (2) separate lots, one (1) between the Administration & Sullivan Buildings and one (1) directly behind the Administration Building.

Facilities will take care of striping and signage for the new lots.

All of these changes will take effect on July 1st, 2012. For clarification visit this link to see an image of the new faculty lots. Thank you for your patience.

(This message was emailed to the campus community on June 27, 2012).