Operational plans for Thursday night football game on Oct. 10

 James Madison University will host a nationally televised football game at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, against Coastal Carolina University. 

The Thursday night game is a first for JMU, and we are all excited to see our Dukes play on a national stage!  

University planners are still finalizing details to ensure a safe and successful event, but here is the latest information for game day: 

Traffic and closures 

Traffic will be impacted significantly for the university community; therefore, the following measures will be taken to decrease congestion: 

• University employees with current telework agreements and schedules are strongly encouraged to work fully remote on Thursday, Oct. 10. These personnel are expected to work their normal schedule.  
• Administrative offices will close at 3 p.m. for faculty and staff to exit campus and to reduce the traffic and congestion.  
• Designated employees will continue with their normal shifts.  
• Please refer to Policy 1309 (Closings, Class Cancellations and Exam Postponements Due to Inclement Weather or Emergencies) for additional information about university closings but know there are some unique circumstances to be reviewed and considered by your immediate supervisor. Therefore, supervisors should review the policy in anticipation of this event and decide how best to communicate expectations prior to Oct. 10. 
• The following services will remain open for their normal weekday hours: JMU Dining, UREC, Rose Library, JMU Counseling Center, University Health Center, Student Success Center, Festival and The Union.   

Class meetings 

• All online classes will be held as scheduled.  
• Instructional faculty who teach in-person classes that begin after or extend past 3:35 p.m. may hold class as scheduled or consider an alternative instructional method or location. Additional details and options were outlined in an email sent to instructional faculty on Monday, Aug. 5. All vehicles must be moved by 3 p.m. from reserved football lots, even if you are staying on campus past 3 p.m.  
• Faculty should communicate directly with their students regarding class requirements and schedules. Students with questions should communicate directly with their faculty member.  

Parking  

• Access to reserved football parking lots will be restricted starting at 1 p.m. on Oct. 10 and must be cleared by 3 p.m.  
• Faculty, staff and students who need to stay on campus past 3 p.m. may use the Ballard, Grace Street, Mason Street or Warsaw parking decks; parking lots D3, C12, R4, or R5; and available parking spaces near the Bluestone section of campus, moving west to Main Street and Memorial Hall. 
• Shuttles from the Ballard parking deck to the Godwin and Hartman/Showker stops will begin at 7 a.m. and continue until 5 p.m. for any staff to park without having to move a vehicle throughout the day.
• At the game's end, attendees will be expected to leave campus within one hour to resume regular campus operations.  

Fans and Spectators

• Parking lots are available beginning at 4:30 p.m. and will not be accessible any earlier. Please keep in mind public safety officials will be working diligently to help employees depart safely before welcoming fans to campus.
• It will not be possible for fans to line up and wait on campus for parking lots to clear.
• Fans may not access lots for dropping off/unloading tailgate supplies, nor may they save spaces prior to 4:30 p.m.
• As the transition of emptying campus occurs and prior to the parking lots opening for the game, public safety officials will be prepared to address any unsafe behavior or situations that create a traffic hazard.
• The flow of traffic and access to parking lots will be different for this Thursday night game as opposed to regular Saturday football games and we appreciate the patience of everyone.