What to Expect on Eclipse Day

We look forward to celebrating the solar eclipse as a campus community on Monday, April 8. Our OCLIPSE celebration takes place from 2 to 4 p.m. on Bailey Field at the athletics complex.

Officials anticipate a large number of visitors to the area, and we are taking precautions to ensure that the experience is safe and enjoyable for all.

While we welcome all members of campus to join in the fun, we also recognize that the potential crowds and resulting traffic may mean that some employees will be inclined to avoid campus on Monday. Please refer to this message from Human Resources for guidance on remote work and use of paid time off.

The following information outlines steps taken by Campus Safety and our partners to prepare for the celebration as well as recommendations for those who plan to be on campus. Please direct any questions to csafety@oberlin.edu or call 440-775-8444.

Getting to Campus and Parking on April 8

Campus Safety and Oberlin Police will be devoting their efforts to the safe management of crowds. For this reason, only fire lane and ADA parking violations will be enforced on Monday, April 8; all other parking spaces in campus lots may be used on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally:

• If you plan to drive to work Monday, please arrive early for the best chance to secure a parking space. If you encounter delays in getting to campus, please communicate with your supervisor to determine an appropriate course of action.
• Motorists driving Monday afternoon should use headlights, especially during the hours nearest to totality.
• We advise against parking in grassy areas, as vehicles may become immobilized and tow trucks could be delayed for several hours.
• If driving or cycling during the eclipse, slow down and watch for other people on the road. Distracted driving of any kind is dangerous, and drivers’ vision drops during dusk and darkness.

Road Closures

Beginning at 3 a.m. Monday, April 8, Woodland Street and Union Street (between Woodland and North Professor streets) will be closed to vehicle traffic. The athletics complex parking lot will be closed.

Building Closures

Shanks Health and Wellness Center will be closed Monday, April 8. Outdoor restrooms at Bailey Field will be available.

Getting to Bailey Field

All OCLIPSE guests are encouraged to walk to the celebration at Bailey Field. Emergency vehicles can enter from Union and Woodland streets. Guests with mobility issues may enter the athletics complex via the Union Street lot from Professor Street, which will be monitored by Campus Safety.

Please note that pets are not permitted on Bailey Field.

Viewing the Eclipse

Glasses for viewing the eclipse will be distributed to guests at Bailey Field.

Be Prepared

The potential for a high volume of visitors to our area could result in any number of inconveniences. It is highly likely that main roads into and out of Oberlin will see dramatically increased traffic in the hours before and after the eclipse. In addition, please be prepared for any of the following:

• Disruptions to cellular service or internet access
• Limited availability of restaurants and gas stations
• Inclement weather
• Traffic delays

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OCLIPSE is made possible through the extensive planning and effort of many dedicated members of our campus community. We hope these tips will help make your experience enjoyable, and we look forward to sharing this momentous occasion with you.

Tyrone Wicks
Assistant Director of Campus Safety

(Updated April 5, 2024)