Academic Affairs News

Dear Colleagues,

Thursday, September 2nd, WKU will host University of Tennessee-Martin in the season-opening football game at 7:00 p.m.  This game is expected to bring thousands of visitors who will share our campus that evening with our faculty, staff, and students. 

Beginning at 3:30 p.m., we are asking offices to operate with minimal staff and encourage employees choosing to leave campus to do so quickly.  This will help with parking and traffic as we transition to event operations in support of the game.  Those choosing to leave will not be charged vacation time. 

Classes will continue as scheduled but commuting students taking afternoon or evening classes may want to consider parking in one of the outer lots, such as the Park Street Lot, and riding a shuttle that day.  Some classes, normally scheduled for the bottom of the Hill, may want to work with Academic Affairs to find another location to meet. 

Parking lots will be reserved, and roads will close in support of event operations.  Several parking lots are reserved and paid for by alumni and friends to use during home football games.  These lots around Houchens Industries – Smith Stadium, including South Lawn, Diddle Arena lots, Parking Structure 1 (Levels 1-3), and Parking Structure 2, will be closed to new entry beginning at 2:00PM and must be cleared by 3:30PM.  Avenue of Champions will close at 3:30PM to event traffic only.  Parking and Transportation will be sending out more detailed parking and street information soon.

As part of home football game festivities, tailgating will begin at 3:00 p.m. across campus, including the HAF lawns, RV areas and in the Student Tailgating area.  At 3:30PM, HAF reserved parking areas will open, and the Avenue of Champions will close.  The Topper Walk will begin at Parking Structure 1 at 4:30 p.m.  Event shuttle service from Creason/Parking Structure 3 and Adams Street/Alumni Square Garage will begin at 4:30PM. 

This game will put our campus in a great spotlight.  Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.  We hope as many of you as possible can enjoy this Thursday evening experience.

Best Regards,

Robert "Bud" Fischer
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs