The Republican National Convention will be held in Milwaukee from July 15-19, bringing an influx of over 50,000 visitors to the city. The sizable impact on the downtown and campus areas will require changes to routines, availability and access throughout the convention.
As a reminder, Marquette encourages faculty and staff to work from home if your position allows. No in-person classes will be offered for the entire convention. All instruction during this period will be held virtually (via Teams) or through alternate activities, such as asynchronous classwork, student-directed research or independent reading.
Security perimeter borders Marquette’s campus
The United States Secret Service released its finalized map of the general areas expected to be affected by the operational security plan for the Republican National Convention; the impacted area borders the eastern side of Marquette University’s campus, starting at 9th Street. As a result, the Marquette campus is not within the perimeter.
The secure areas are divided into a vehicle security perimeter (shaded in yellow) and a pedestrian restricted perimeter (shaded in red).
Residences and businesses inside the vehicle screening perimeter will be accessible to the public. Pedestrians and bicyclists will be able to freely enter this area. Vehicles will be permitted, though they must enter through a vehicle screening point, which are marked as black circles on the map.
The pedestrian restricted perimeter will be accessible only to credentialed or ticketed individuals, such as convention attendees or volunteers.
Those who will be on campus during the convention are asked to review these borders while planning their commute.
Employees encouraged to park in structures
Employee permit holders whose lot assignment is in a surface lot are encouraged to move to Structure 1 or 2 during the convention for added security. Lot permit holders can request clearance for the structures via Parking Services.
Lot T permit holders will be reassigned to Structure 1 during the duration of the convention.
Contractors are responsible for their own parking.
If an employee would like a ride to or from the structure to their office, they should contact Campus Safety.
Street parking, bus routes limited
The City of Milwaukee has additionally announced parking restrictions during the RNC. Some of the restrictions went into effect on Friday, July 5.
Milwaukee County Transit System announced changes to bus routes that will be in place for the entirety of the convention. Fourteen public transit routes in downtown Milwaukee will be most impacted by the RNC. Affected routes include CONNECT 1, BlueLine, GreenLine, 12, 15, 18, 19, 30, 31, 33, 34, 57, 80 and 81. A majority of the impacted service will be rerouted to 12th, Walnut and Milwaukee Streets.
Wear your MUID, have alternate ID available
Those who will be on campus during the convention are strongly encouraged to wear their Marquette University ID and have a secondary form of identification available.
University buildings will additionally require MUID swipe access in the interest of safety. All buildings on campus except for the Alumni Memorial Union will be secured with MUID card access from July 1 through July 19 (Gift of Time through the end of the convention). Only the north entrance to Zilber Hall will be accessible without an MUID the week of July 8; the entire building will be secured the week of July 15.
The university strongly discourages the practice of propping doors open.
Ensure you’re signed up for text alerts
Real-time updates on street closures, traffic disruptions and other potential impacts to campus will be shared via the campus safety alert text system. Employees should be sure they are signed up for safety text alerts. To do so, go to the “Personal Information” section of MyJob and insert your cell phone number. The phone number listed must be labeled as “mobile” to receive texts — if it’s listed as “home,” you won’t receive text alerts.
Notify MUPD of graffiti, broken windows or other damage on campus
Those who witness graffiti, broken windows or other damage on campus should contact MUPD’s non-emergency line at (414) 288-6800. Your call will be routed appropriately.
The campus community is additionally encouraged to save MUPD’s emergency line, (414) 288-1911, in case necessary.
Be aware of campus visitors
Just as the university did in preparation for the planned 2020 Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee, Marquette worked directly with entities interested in renting residence halls on campus during the convention.
Proceeds from campus rentals during the convention will be used for student scholarships.
Most on-campus clinics closed
Most on-campus clinics, with the exception of clinics in Health Sciences, are closed from July 15-19. The Marquette Medical Clinic and Counseling Center will remain open to accommodate students who are on campus.
More information about the university’s planning for the convention is available on the Marquette RNC website.
Dining on campus
The Commons dining hall and the Brew Cafe will remain open during the convention for the campus community and guests. Law enforcement, military and first responders receive a 10% discount at both locations and on all orders in the Everyday app.
The Commons
| Day | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, July 11 | 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Friday, July 12, through Sunday, July 14 | 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Thursday, July 15, through Friday, July 19 | 4:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. |
The Brew Cafe
- Thursday, July 11: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Friday, July 12: 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Saturday, July 13, through Sunday, July 14: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Monday, July 15, through Friday, July 19: 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Related links
June 24 — What to know about safety and security during the Republican National Convention
May 28 — What to know about campus operations during the RNC, July 15-19
