What the scaled back Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee means for campus

The Democratic National Committee has significantly scaled back its August nominating convention in Milwaukee. The event has been moved to the Wisconsin Center and state delegations will not attend in person. Here’s what that means for campus:

Campus security

  • While the number of delegates and visitors is expected to be greatly reduced, there are reports that protestors will travel to Milwaukee.
  • For additional security, campus buildings except the AMU will be locked and require MUID access Aug. 10 – 21.
  • Employees and students on campus are asked to display their MUIDs.
  • Employees and students who can work remotely the week of Aug. 17 are asked to do so to limit the number of individuals on campus.
  • The university will utilize Marquette Today updates if there are any changes to traffic patterns or other areas around campus related to the convention.
  • The university will utilize its text and email safety alert system to notify the Marquette community of any active threats to campus.
  • As always, please report any suspicious incidents to the Marquette University Police Department using the non-emergency line: (414) 288-6800.
  • To report an emergency, dial 911 or call MUPD’s emergency line: (414) 288-1911.

Residence hall usage

  • At this time, about one third of Marquette’s residence hall rooms will be occupied by convention-related guests. As plans for the DNC have evolved, a number of organizations utilizing residence hall and event spaces on campus during the convention have canceled.
  • Due to physical distancing requirements and the need for extra COVID-19 deep cleaning in advance of student move-in, Marquette is not accepting any further room or event reservations related to the convention.

Procedures to minimize the spread of COVID-19

  • The university has reduced the number of occupants per room to one in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. All rooms have been sanitized and deep-cleaned prior to the arrival of convention guests.
  • All guests will be expected to follow Marquette’s COVID-19 guidelines, including wearing a cloth face covering when in public spaces or in the presence of others and physical distancing.
  • Each entity with guests staying on campus will administer daily temperature checks, and any guest that exhibits COVID-19 symptoms or tests positive will be immediately leave campus to quarantine off-site.
  • Rooms will be disinfected and deep cleaned when the guests leave.

Revenue from convention-related guests

  • As previously announced, revenue from guests staying on campus during the convention will be utilized for our greatest need – student scholarships.

Visit Marquette’s convention website for more information.