Message to all Belmont Students from Provost Dan McAlexander:
It will come as no surprise to you that Belmont University has been selected as the host venue for the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate! The signs are everywhere, and many of you have been part of the planning process to create a year-long series of more than 50 programs celebrating our democracy and discussing the critical issues that will be facing our next president. We invite you to visit our debate website (www.BelmontDebate08.com) regularly to be up-to-date on the programs, performances and activities that are scheduled.
We are working closely with the Commission on Presidential Debates and the US Secret Service to ensure that our debate preparations and event run smoothly and without incident. To the extent possible, we have worked with them to maintain a semblance of normalcy. However, security and logistical considerations for an event of this magnitude will demand flexibility from all of us during the time leading up to the debate.
We have received a number of questions from residents regarding access to residence halls during Fall Break, October 6-8, and the weekend prior. While changing events could alter our plans, the following information accurately reflects what we have been told to date, July 22, 2008. We have been cautioned that plans can, and do, change. As changes occur, we will keep you informed through BIC, the Debate08 website and residence hall meetings.
Residence Halls
Students will be able to stay in their dorms during Fall Break. However, during the period prior to and around the debate, security precautions will affect residents in Kennedy, Wright, Maddox, Hail, Pembroke and Heron Halls, as well as the New Residence Hall, in the following ways:
• Approximately 48 hours prior to the debate, on Sun., Oct. 5, each of the buildings listed above will be accessible only by the students occupying a room in them, and a valid Belmont ID will be required for entry.
• During this same 48-hour period, all dorm rooms will be subject to search.
• On the day of the debate (Tues., Oct. 7), from 4-10 p.m., students will be unable to enter, or leave, these residence halls. You can spend the 4-10 p.m. period in the dorm, or the entire time somewhere off-campus, but you may not come and go. There will be a debate viewing party at the Ryman Auditorium that will be open to Belmont students.
• From Sat., Oct. 4 through the conclusion of the debate, students still on campus can expect other disruptions to normal life in the residence halls, including but not limited to the possibility of noise from electric generators and bright security lights throughout the nights on parts of the university grounds.
• In the unlikely event there is an unforeseen security threat, students may be evacuated from one or more of the residence halls. The university will have in place an emergency housing plan should such occur.
• Residents of these halls will be required to notify Residence Life officials of their intent to remain on campus during the break by close of business, Mon., Sept. 8.
Food and Other Services
The following student services will be unavailable during Fall Break due to lack of space availability during the debates:
• There will be no food service on campus. Arrangements will be made for students volunteering for the debate, but no other food service will be provided during this time.
• The Beaman Student Life Center (including fitness room and all other facilities), outdoor athletic facilities (tennis courts and soccer field) and many other outdoor campus spaces will be unavailable for Belmont community use.
• University Health and Counseling Services will be closed.
Parking
Parking will be significantly impacted during the days leading up to and the day of the debate:
• By Fri., Oct. 3 close of business, both the Curb and Inman parking garages will need to be cleared.
• Parking will be available at Greer Stadium during that time. Security will be provided for this lot 24 hours a day from 4:30 p.m. on Fri., Oct. 3 through 5 p.m. on Wed., Oct. 8.
• Shuttle service from Greer to campus will run on a regular basis, on 15 minute intervals beginning at 6 a.m. each morning and running until 1 a.m. the following morning.
Additional information regarding conditions of life on campus during this period will be posted on BIC and the Debate08 website as it becomes available to us. Early in the Fall semester, Residence Life officials will be communicating directly with the residence hall communities regarding this as well. While life on campus during this time will require maximum flexibility on the part of residents, we are committed to making it as comfortable and rewarding as possible for those who choose to stay.
Thank you,
Dan McAlexander
Provost
