RESIDENT HALL STUDENTS (including students living in Wilkins, Yudof, and University Village)
We have given your name to our Housing and Residential Life Office and they are informed that you will be participating in the Multicultural Kickoff and will be moving in between 10:00am-12 noon on Tuesday, September 1st. If you received a correspondence from Housing and Residential Life with a different date or time, you may disregard that since they are aware that you will be checking in during the special move-in time for Multicultural Kickoff participants only. THERE IS NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE TO MOVE IN EARLY, ALL COST ARE BEING COVERED BY THE MULTICULTURAL CENTER FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.

COMMUTER STUDENTS:
Parking is available for Multicultural Kickoff students in the 19th ave Parking Ramp located on the corner of 19th ave s and 4th s. (this location is suggested since we will have a parking voucher valid only for that ramp at the registration check in. This voucher will only be good for September 1st 2009.)
There will be an ambassador or staff member waiting at the 19th ave ramp to escort you. Upon leaving in the evening on September 1st, someone will escort you to your parking location as well .

On Sept 2nd commuters should park with all other Welcome Week students in the East River Road garage.

All students must check-in at the Multicultural Kickoff registration table in the concourse of Willey Hall.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank-you!

Peggy Hampton has worked at the University of Minnesota for 10 years. Peggy is originally from Kentucky, where she completed he BA and MA degrees in Social Work - University of Kentucky.

Busing to Campus

If you are commuting from West, South West, North West of the U of M West Bank Campus:

Take your respective Buses to Downtown Minneapolis. Your Connecting bus will be the #3 or #16 going Eastbound. Your stop will be Blegen Hall, which is located on Washington Ave on the West Bank (just before you cross over the Washington ave bridge). There will be an ambassador or staff present with a sign to assist you.

If you are commuting from East, North East, South East of the U of M West Bank Campus:
Take your respective buses to Downtown St Paul. Your connecting bus will either be the #16 or #50 going westbound. Both buses will take you to campus (the #16 runs more frequently). Your stop will be Willey Hall, which is located on Washington Ave on the West Bank (just after you cross over the Washington ave bridge). There will be an ambassador or staff present with a sign to assist you.

Busing from Campus

When leaving campus, if you are traveling westbound you will board your bus at Willey Hall. Your buses will be the #3, #16 or #50 westbound to downtown Minneapolis. You will then get on your connecting bus from there (#3 and #16 run more frequently). There will be an ambassador or staff present with a sign to assist you.

When leaving campus traveling eastbound you will board your bus at Blegen Hall. Your bus will be the #16 or #50. You will take this bus eastbound to downtown St. Paul, and then catch your connecting bus. There will be an ambassador or staff present with a sign to assist you.

Busing from Como Ave

If you are traveling to and from campus via Como ave, you can catch the #3. Take the #3 going westbound to get to the west bank, getting off at Willey Hall or eastbound from Blegen Hall going eastbound to depart from campus. There will be an ambassador or staff present with a sign to assist you.

Getting Dropped off or Picked Up

Those students that will be getting dropped off or picked up from campus during the Multicultural Kickoff , your stop will be at the University of Minnesota Law School. You can drive in the circular drop off at the corner of 19th ave s and 2nd st s (across from Grand Marc apartments). There will be an ambassador or staff present with a sign to assist you.

Driving to Campus

Those students that will be driving to campus parking will not be provided. If you do drive here are some places to park:

The 19th ave Parking Ramp located on the corner of 19th ave s and 4th s. (this location is suggested)

• S 21st ave (located off of riverside)


• 2 7th st (located off of riverside)


• S 15th (located off of riverside)


• S 4th st (located off of riverside)

If you park on the street, there will be an ambassador or staff member waiting at the 19th ave ramp to escort you. Like wise upon leaving someone will escort you to your parking location.

Commuting Tips and Fare Discounts

U-Pass

U-Passes are deeply-discounted, unlimited-ride bus passes available to University students, staff, and faculty. To get a U-Pass, you must be a currently enrolled student or a University employee, and you must have a U Card. You qualify for U-Pass if:

• you are a currently enrolled student in any credit-bearing course


• you are a staff or faculty member who works less than 20 hours a week AND has registered for a credit-bearing class

Ordering 
New this year, if you select U.S. mail as your delivery option, you can now enter a different address immediately without first changing your OneStop information. Plus, order processing is much quicker - you can pick up your pass 24 hours after you place your order.

• Additionally, there are new, more convenient pick-up locations:
• Coffman Memorial Union Information Desk, First Floor, 300 Washington Avenue SE - Hours at www.coffman.umn.edu/info
• St. Paul Student Union Information Desk, Lower Level, 2017 Buford Avenue - Hours at www.spsc.umn.edu/info
• (Avoid the lines - pick up your U-Pass before fall semester begins.)
• Click on http://buspass.umn.edu to order a U-Pass now.

When Busing

• Always walk on the sidewalk to get to the bus stop; never run. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the left, facing traffic.
• Go to the bus stop about five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. While at the bus stop, wait quietly in a safe place well away from the road.
• Line up away from the street as the bus approaches.
• Wait until the bus has stopped and the door opens before stepping onto the roadway.
• Use the handrail when stepping onto the bus.
• When on the bus, find a seat and sit down, if possible.
• Loud talking or other noise can distract the bus driver and is not allowed.
• Never put your head, arms, or hands out of the window.
• Keep aisles clear -- books or bags are tripping hazards and can block the way in an emergency.
• Before you reach your stop, get ready to leave by getting your belongings together.
• At your stop, wait for the bus to stop completely before getting up from your seat. Then, walk to the front door and exit, using the handrail.
• If you have to cross the street in front of the bus, walk at least ten feet ahead of the bus along the side of the road until you can turn around and see the driver. Make sure that the driver can see you.
• Carefully walk across the road, keeping an eye out for sudden traffic changes.
• Stay away from the bus' rear wheels at all times.

When Driving

• If you will be returning to your vehicle at night, park in a place that will be well-lit when you return.
• Before leaving your vehicle, lock it and roll up the windows.
• When you return to your vehicle, look around it and inside it before you get in.
• Anytime you are in your vehicle, keep the doors locked and the windows closed.If you think you are being followed, sound your horn to scare away the other driver and go to the nearest police station.
• Keep your vehicle well maintained. Make sure you have enough gasoline to reach your destination.
• If you are driving alone and see a vehicle needing help, do not stop. Get the vehicle's license plate number and location, and then call the police for help.
• If your vehicle breaks down, stay in it with the doors locked and the hazard lights on. If anyone stops to help, ask that person to call a tow truck or the police for you.
• Never pick up hitchhikers.
• Familiarize yourself with your vehicle's safety equipment, including hazard lights, windshield wipers, spare tire, seat belts, and door locks.
• Always be alert to your surroundings and know how to reach your destination prior to your departure.
• Do not stop if a passing motorist tells you that something is wrong with your vehicle or if someone bumps you from behind. Pull into the nearest service station or well-lit public area. Call the police from there.
• At stoplights, leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the one in front of you in case you must pull away quickly.
• Learn emergency vehicles' signals. Police lights are red and blue. Do not stop for flashing white headlights alone.
• Always use seat belts. It is the law and may save your life in the event of an accident.
• Always be aware of the pedestrian traffic around your vehicle.
• Use automated teller machines only in busy, unobstructed areas and count your money inside the car with the doors locked.
• Drive to a service station or store if you need information or directions. Casual street-corner directions are the surest way to get lost.

When Biking

• Use common sense and courtesy on your bike. When in a hurry, a driver would not drive his car on the sidewalk just because it was wide enough. Bicycling is prohibited on sidewalks that aren't designated as bicycle facilities. Bike riding on the sidewalks is not allowed in Dinkytown or Stadium Village.
• Campus bike lanes are one way only. Riding the wrong way is extremely hazardous. Pay attention to the direction of traffic at all times.Walk your bike when you make the transition from the street to a parking spot and you have to cross a sidewalk; it's usually a short distance and if you walk it, you don't have to worry about running into someone.
• Headlights and reflectors are required by Minnesota law for nighttime riding. Be safer by becoming more visible. Wear light-colored clothing and use lights.
• Ride with traffic and follow lane markings.
• Use hand signals. Signaling your intentions is essential to let other drivers on the roadway know what you intend to do.

When Walking

• Walk confidently; look ahead and make eye contact.Do not wear a stereo headset when you are walking through the Gopher Way tunnel and skyway system.
• Be aware of the people and environment around you.
• If someone is following you, go to the nearest place where there are other people.
• Trust your instincts. If someone makes you uncomfortable, do what is necessary to move away from that person.
• If you are returning to your vehicle, have your car keys in hand before leaving your present location.
• Never leave any personal belonging unattended.
• The University of Minnesota Police Department provides a free Campus Escort Service. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Escort Service can be reached at 612-624-WALK (4-WALK from any campus phone). An escort will be dispatched to your location and will accompany you anywhere within the campus vicinity.

• When will I find out my resident hall? Housing assignments will be sent to students in the middle of July.

• When can I move into my residence hall? For student registered to attend the Multicultural Kickoff, you will be able to move in on Tuesday September 1st, between 10:00am and 12 noon. There will be MCAE Ambassadors and Resident Hall Student Staff there to assist you. The Multicultural Kickoff begins at 1:00pm.

• How is the Multicultural Kickoff different from Welcome Week? Both programs are welcome events for all incoming students aimed at easing students' transition to the University of Minnesota. The Multicultural Kickoff is a free on-campus event that beings on September 1st and ends on Wednesday afternoon on September 2nd. The Multicultural Kickoff introduces participants to student organizations MCAE works closely with, to faculty of color teaching interesting courses, the academic and student support services provided by MCAE, and to student leadership opportunities. Welcome Week is a required event for all incoming freshman, it begins right after the Multicultural Kickoff ends and will conclude on September7th.

• Can I attend the Multicultural Kickoff and Welcome Week? Yes. There is no over lap in these two events.

• If I have my Freshman Orientation on August 31st and September 1st can I still attend the Multicultural Kickoff? Yes. When your Freshman Orientation concludes you will be able to check in at Willey Hall on the West Bank.

Tuesday September 1st @ Willey Hall room 175
10:00am Check-in begins at Willey Hall
10:00 - 12:00 Check-in to residence halls/lunch on your own
1:00 - 3:15 Ambassador Group Activity
3:30-4:30 Information Fair/Student Organizations
4:30-5:30 Opening Session- Willey Hall 175
5:30- 6:45 Dinner
6:45-9:15 Ambassador Group activity
9:15-10:00 Closing Session- Willey Hall 175

Wednesday September 2nd @ Willey Hall room 175

8:30 - 9:30 Breakfast
9:45 - 11:00 The Price is Right Willey Hall room 175
9:45 - 11:00 Lectures/Survey- Blegen Hall rooms110,120,130,150,155
11:15 - 12:30 The Price is Right- Willey Hall room 175
11:15-12:30 Lectures/Survey Blegen Hall rooms110,120,130,150,155
12:40 - 2:00 Lunch/Group Meetings Wallin- Blegen room 110, MEP-
Blegen room 10, AICH-Anderson Library, Casa Sol-Blegen
room 115, Community Outreach Opportunities-175 Wiley
2:15-3:00 Closing Session- Willey Hall 175
3:00-3:15 Evaluation
3:15-3:30 Group Photo

As incoming Freshmen be open to new things, ideas and people. Do not get caught up in all the excitement and lose focus of your education. This school is huge, I'm sure you have noticed, majority of us have found a way to make it small either joining one of the 600 groups on campus or another way. Do not keep to yourself, Freshmen year is all about discoveries and the beginning of a new journey. I hope you all enjoy your year like I did mine.