2010 visit of President Barack Obama
to the University of Minnesota
CHANGE OF VENUE NOTICE:
Due to the high probability of rain in the forecast, President Obama will speak indoors at the University Field House. Additional details will be posted here as they become available so check back often.
President Barack Obama's visit to the University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota will welcome President Barack Obama to the Twin Cities campus on October 23. The opportunity to host the President of the United States is a rare and unique honor, and will give U students and the entire U community a chance to see and hear a historic figure. The event is scheduled in the University Field House. Entrances will open at 12:30 p.m. A Gopher football game is also scheduled for Oct. 23, so campus will be busy.
A map of the East Bank campus is available here.
A map of the Field House and surrounding area is available here.
PLEASE NOTE, ALL DETAILS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. CHECK BACK TO THIS PAGE FOR UPDATES.
If you plan to attend: All those planning to attend President Barack Obama's Democratic Farmer Labor (DFL) political rally on the University of Minnesota campus on Saturday, October 23 should keep in mind several important logistical details.
Entry: The event will be held at the University Field House on campus. The event is free and open to the public and no tickets are required. You can RSVP at the DFL event website. An RSVP, however, does not guarantee admittance, which is on a first come, first served basis. General Admission, including the handicap accessible entrance will be located between Cooke Hall and the University Recreation Center, entering from SE Harvard Street. See map for more detail. The closest intersection is SE Harvard and Beacon Street. The gates will open at 12:30 pm. All who enter will undergo airport-like security including screening by metal detector. The program will last several hours.
Carry-in policy: For safety and security reasons, certain items are prohibited, including laptop computers, sharp objects, metal or plastic drink bottles, folding chairs, backpacks and bags or purses larger than a standard sheet of paper. No posters or signs of any size will be permitted inside. No food or drink can be carried in, though refreshments will be available from concession stands in the Field House. Personal cameras, binoculars and video cameras will be permitted inside the event area. For those bringing children, be advised that plastic baby bottles will be allowed, but strollers and outside chairs are prohibited. Prohibited items brought to the entry gate will go into garbage receptacles outside of the security area. (The University of Minnesota does not take responsibility for left items.)
Food and beverages: In addition to establishments located off campus, food and beverages can be purchased on campus inside Coffman Memorial Union at Starbucks and Einstein Bros. Bagels from 10 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. These items, however, cannot be brought into the event. Beverages will be available from concession stands in the Field House.
Parking: With a home football game also scheduled for Oct. 23, daytime parking will be extremely limited. Attendees from the campus and Twin Cities community are strongly encouraged to walk, bike, or use public transportation. If you must drive, below are some options for parking, available on a space-available basis. Users will be charged event parking fees.
- Fairgrounds: All-day access is available at the Grandstand parking lot on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. A free shuttle bus will be transporting people between there and TCF Bank Stadium all day.
- West Bank: The 21st or 19th Avenue ramps on the West Bank will also have all-day access. If you park on the West Bank, we recommend that you walk across the Washington Ave. Bridge to the event.
- East Bank: East River Road Garage, all-day access; Oak Street, Fourth Street, Washington Avenue, and University Avenue ramps, access after 11:30 a.m.
People with contract parking in U of M facilities will be able to use their parking passes in their home facility after 11:30 a.m. on a space available basis.
Football patrons with parking passes may stay in their parking locations throughout the day.
Bike parking: There are more than 6,500 bicycle racks and hoops located across campus.
Traffic: Traffic and bus schedules and routes will be impacted by some street closures prior to and during and after the event. All those traveling in the campus area Saturday afternoon should be prepared for delays. Football shuttle buses will be extended to St. Paul and West Bank stops until approximately 6 p.m. to accommodate event goers.
Metro Transit Bus Service: Bus routes serving the U of M campus on weekends include the 2, 3, 6, 16, and 22. Bus schedules will be impacted by road closures prior to and during the event. The event organizers provide detailed bus information here. General Metro Transit bus information can be found here.
Transportation updates: If you are attending an unrelated event on campus, check the sponsoring department's website for additional information on possible cancellations, changes to parking or other details. Whenever possible, persons coming to campus on the day of the visit, whether attending the event or not, are encouraged to find alternatives to driving. Be advised that pedestrian and bicycle routes will be detoured around the site. Where possible, detours will be marked with signs. Pedestrians use extra caution while navigating the vehicle congestion on campus.
Accessibility Information: Below is information for people with disabilities who would like to attend the event
- Parking: A limited amount of paid event parking will be available in the Church Street parking garage. There will be volunteers at the entrance to the garage to limit access to those that are in need. Upon exiting there will also be volunteers in the area that will direct event goers to the site.
- Event Entrance: General admission, including the handicap accessible entrance, will be between the Cooke Building and the University Recreation Center, entering from SE Harvard Street on a first come, first serve basis. See map for details.
- Accessibility Inside: There will be a designated area within the event for those with any special needs, including a sign language interpreter. Volunteers will direct access to the area. Those needing access to this area will be able to have one guest accompany them.
Building closure: The following buildings will be closed from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 23
- Cooke Hall
- Civil Engineering
- Rapson Hall
- Armory
Any additional information about building closures or limited access will be posted as it becomes available.
Media Credentialing: All media must be credentialed for the event. Credentialing is being handled by the event organizers. Questions can be directed to Kristin Sosanie (651-251-6315, ksosanie@dfl.org).
Note: This is a political event. The University of Minnesota is pleased to be the venue for the event, however, it does not endorse political candidates or campaigns. Information about the event itself can be found here.