As shared in April 2019, the university created a Convention Steering Committee to help centralize university preparations in advance of Milwaukee being the host city for the Democratic National Convention, July 13-16, 2020. Anticipating the more than 50,000 visitors the convention is projected to bring to the city, Marquette has started preparing for the opportunities this presents for the university in terms of academic programming, student experiences, financial revenue and national visibility, as well as for the operational and security challenges related to an event of this magnitude.
The Convention Steering Committee is marketing the university’s residence hall rooms and event spaces to law enforcement, media outlets, corporations and non-profits who are going to be in Milwaukee for the convention. The Executive Leadership Team (President Michael R. Lovell, Acting Provost Kimo Ah Yun and Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Joel Pogodzinski) have decided that all net revenues from renting residence hall and event space on campus during the convention will support the university’s top priority – unrestricted scholarship.
A website with Frequently Asked Questions (restricted to campus) is now live, and will be updated as the convention gets closer.
Here are three important takeaways about the summer 2020 university schedule:
- Gift of Time
The summer Gift of Time will be held as scheduled, Monday, June 29, through Friday, July 3, 2020. One exception is the School of Dentistry, which will operate during the Gift of Time and close during the week of the convention, due to concerns about patient access. As always, some units, such as MUPD and Facilities Planning and Management, may require some individuals to work during the Gift of Time to maintain campus operations.
- Academic programming for Summer 2020 Session 2
Instructors have two options for the week of July 13, 2020:- Schedule alternate activities, which can include online activities. For instructors who choose this option, David Schejbal, chief of digital learning, can be a resource. Dr. Feldner’s Academic Sub-committee will reach out to instructors with summer classes to discuss specific strategies for alternate activities. Cancelling classes for this week is not an option.
- Build classes using the Summer 51 Session instead of the Summer 2 Session. The Summer 51 Session runs from June 29 – Aug. 15, 2020. It starts a week earlier than Summer Session 2 but ends at the same time as Summer Session 2. Classes using this option should be scheduled for the same time blocks that would be used during Summer Session 2. Then, instructors will not hold classes the week of July 13 to allow students to participate in internships or temporary work positions associated with the convention, while still meeting the six weeks of contact hours requirement.
These options apply to all classes, including EOP/FFP classes, and were recommended by the Convention Steering Committee after input from a cross-section of faculty and staff across campus, including the University Academic Senate executive committee and the Committee on Academic Procedures. They are based on talking with other campuses who have been in similar situations and are meant to address safety concerns and the viability of students and instructors commuting to campus.
- Student Internships, temporary jobs and volunteer opportunities
Outside organizations who will be in Milwaukee for the convention will likely need student volunteers, interns and temporary workers. Aligned with our current process, recruiting organizations will post all convention-related internships, temporary jobs and volunteer opportunities to Handshake. Descriptions will be vetted by Career Services Center staff and clearly tagged within Handshake so students know they are related to the convention.
Watch Marquette Today for additional information. Fill out the online form to submit a question about convention 2020 planning.