Marquette is actively planning and preparing for the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Just as the university did in preparation for the planned 2020 Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee, Marquette is working directly with entities interested in renting residence halls and event spaces during the Republican National Convention. Proceeds from campus rentals during the convention will be used for student scholarships.
The expected influx of visitors to campus and the downtown area requires some adjustment to campus operations and the academic calendar for parts of July 2024.
At the recommendation of the Convention Steering Committee, the Executive Leadership Team has approved the following adjustments, which closely follow changes approved for the planned 2020 Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee:
Classes and student housing the week of July 15, 2024
Campus will not be holding in-person classes July 15 – 19, 2024. This will affect classes scheduled during any session with meeting dates that include that week. Classes may resume in person on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Instructors with classes scheduled during these sessions should plan to meet virtually (via Teams) or provide alternate activities, such as asynchronous classwork, student-directed research or independent reading. Off-campus internships, community fieldwork placements and similar off-campus experiences will not be directly affected by this Marquette University policy. Requests for exceptions to this policy should be emailed to the Convention Planning Committee co-chairs, Mary Czech-Mrochinski, Jean Dole and Lynn Griffith.
McNair Scholars, students in the Student Support Services and EOP pre-college programs, student-athletes, and those holding summer leases in campus apartments will have housing during summer 2024.
2024 Summer Gift of Time
The summer 2024 Gift of Time will be held as scheduled, Monday, July 1, through Friday, July 5, 2024. Exceptions may be made for the School of Dentistry and/or other campus clinics, which may remain open for the Gift of Time and then close the week of the convention out of concern for patient transportation and safety. Exceptions will be shared at a later date.
Additionally, supervisors in campus units that will be preparing for convention guests are asked to limit employee requests for time off the weeks of July 8 and July 15, 2024.
Campus security
All buildings on campus except for the Alumni Memorial Union will be secured with MUID card access for the week prior (week of July 8, 2024) and the week of the convention (week of July 15, 2024). All faculty, staff and students will need to use their MUID cards to access buildings. All visitors renting lodging or event spaces on campus will be issued key cards.
On-campus staffing changes
All departments and units are asked to minimize the number of employees on campus by highly encouraging faculty and staff to work remotely the week of the convention, July 15-19, 2024, or use flex hours to leave campus by 3 p.m. for those with jobs that remain on campus.
For non-exempt staff who, due to their job function, are not able to work remotely, supervisors may be asked to deploy those individuals to other areas of campus that need additional resources or to serve as Marquette ambassadors (i.e., Spirit Shop, tour guides, information kiosks, etc.).
Summer faculty researchers expect to work on campus during this time and will be encouraged to flex hours to work earlier in the day.
Depending on parking needs for convention guests and/or security preferences, faculty and staff may be asked to park in a different parking lot or structure and be shuttled to their office.
More staffing details will be announced closer to the convention.
On-campus events and clinics
Changes will be necessary for on-campus co-curricular and extramural programming, including but not limited to academic and athletic camps, admissions activities, clinics, and non-convention affiliated events:
- Except for student media (i.e., Marquette Wire staff), student organizations should not host events or meetings on campus the week of the convention (July 15 – 19, 2024).
- On-campus clinics (e.g., physical therapy, speech pathology, autism, etc.) are encouraged to close the week July 15 – 19, 2024. Only the Marquette Medical Clinic will remain open to accommodate students who are on campus.
- No academic or athletic camps for youth will be hosted on Marquette’s campus July 15 – 19, 2024. This will ensure the safety of small children and reduce traffic near campus.
- Admissions will limit tours to convention attendees.
- No outside events or activities unrelated to the convention will be held on campus July 15 – 19, 2024.
Additional details will be released as the convention nears. Watch Marquette Today and the convention website for updates.
