Obama Visit to Iowa State University Limits Campus Access

President Barack Obama's visit to Tuesday afternoon is expected to shut down the entire grassy area from Curtiss Hall to Beardshear Hall and from the Campanile to Catt Hall, what's also known as central campus.

CyRide, the municipal bus service, will offer attendees a free ride from the on bus No. # 23/orange route. People should enter the event from Osborn Drive and Morrill Road east of the Parks Library, starting at 10:30 a.m. The orange route stops a block away from the event entrance at Osborn Drive and Bissell Road.

Iowa State University news service said foot and vehicle traffic will be limited throughout campus. Read on to learn how to navigate campus Tuesday.

Street closures

Tuesday: Early Tuesday there will be no vehicle access within the secured area (Osborn Drive, Morrill Road, Farm House Lane and the portion of Union Drive north of the Memorial Union).

Employee parking

Employees who normally park along the secured roads (Osborn Drive, Morrill Road, Farm House Lane) or elsewhere within the secured area will need to find alternative locations on Tuesday.

CyRide buses

CyRide leaders report that the campus street closings will affect nearly every route on Tuesday. CyRide buses will be rerouted from the start of service Tuesday morning until 5 p.m. Additionally, CyRide's system will be virtually shut down when Obama is traveling to and from campus. Drivers will do their best to keep service as normal as they can, but riders should anticipate times when buses are behind schedule.

The Orange route from the Iowa State Center lot is the route that general public ticket-holders will be encouraged to take to the event. CyRide will have a stop at the intersection of Bissell Road and Osborn Drive for these riders and additional Orange route buses in service before and after the event. CyRide staff at the campus stop will show riders where to walk to get to central campus.

Building closures

Access to Curtiss Hall and Sloss House will be restricted for most of Tuesday. With the exception of these buildings, all of the other buildings around central campus should be open on Tuesday. However, remember that street closures may alter vehicle access to them, which will impact things such as building deliveries or child dropoffs at the Child Development Laboratory. Environmental Health and Safety will suspend its waste removal service on Tuesday.

Classes in session

Iowa State is not canceling classes Tuesday. Classes that meet in Curtiss Hall have been moved to other buildings for the day. Students who wish to attend the Obama event and have classes or other university conflicts should follow the normal departmental or individual faculty policies regarding absences from class. With some central campus sidewalks closed, students and faculty should allow extra time to arrive at their buildings for class.

Employees who attend

Staff members should make arrangements with their supervisors and follow normal leave policies. For merit staff, the provisions of the collective bargaining contract apply for requesting time off or leave (including vacation, leave without pay or compensatory time). Given the short notice that preceded this event, the normal notice periods for requesting leave can be waived.

Event security

Those who attend should expect to go through an airport-like security check. A (free) ticket is required for admission. The gate opens at 10:30 a.m. Among the items not allowed in: bags, sharp objects, umbrellas, liquids (including water bottles) and signs. Cameras are allowed. Water and portable toilets will be available within the secured area.