Family Weekend information
Before we get to our Family Weekend update, I got late word of an event this coming Monday that your Deacs may wish to participate in: “On Monday, Sept. 27, from 4–5 p.m., Dr. Yusef Salaam will join Professor Kami Chavis, Vice Provost and the Director of the Criminal Justice Program at Wake Forest Law, for a conversation about his memoir “Better, Not Bitter: Living on Purpose in the Pursuit of Racial Justice.” The event will take place in Worrell Professional Center, Room 1312….As one of the five teenage boys wrongly convicted and sentenced to prison in the Central Park Jogger case, Dr. Salaam was released from prison in 1997 after seven years of wrongful incarceration. In 2002, the sentences for the Central Park Five were overturned, and all were exonerated for the crime they did not commit.”
Now to Family Weekend. Was in multiple Family Weekend meetings this week with the Office of Student Engagement and the Dean of Students (who are the offices who actually plan Family Weekend). My colleagues reminded me of a few important things you need to know before you arrive for Family Weekend:
Football Game and Tailgating
Kickoff for our game against Louisville on Saturday 10/2 will be at 12:30 pm.
There is a Clear Bag Policy that is in effect for football games. Please be sure you check out the policy and know what is/is not allowed. Would hate for families to ride the shuttle to the game with a purse or backpack and have to turn around and go back around on the shuttle to take it back to their car.
Looking for an all-inclusive tailgate experience prior to the Wake Forest vs Louisville football game? Exclusive tailgate packages are available and can be reserved now through GoDeacs.com/tailgateguys. The gameday Tailgate Village is located directly in front of McCreary Tower and provides easy access to Gate One. Tailgate packages range in price from $375 to $2,125 and include a tent, tables and chairs, and everything you need to enjoy your gameday in DEACTOWN! Full-service catering packages may be added to the tailgate rental and features a variety of local food and beverage options.
For those not looking for a private tailgate space, make plans to enjoy the DEACTOWN Fan Zone located directly outside of Gate One. This free space features live music, a beer garden, video screens to watch other games, food trucks, inflatables for kids, and more! This space opens three hours prior to kickoff and closes 30 minutes prior to kickoff.
Parking and Shuttles
There will be shuttles going to the football game on Saturday. Because of the fact that the Carolina Classic Fair (which is a big deal to Winston-Salem locals) is scheduled to open that same weekend, we know parking will be limited. Parents and families are strongly, strongly, strongly encouraged to ride our shuttles to the game and back.
Family Weekend Guide (online)
We will not have preprinted schedules on site; all Family Weekend activities are listed on the Guidebook app. Scan this QR code to get the guide on your phone.
Public Health Guidance
We sent a message out to all families today, but I want to rerun most of it here in case you missed it.
“As you are likely aware, Wake Forest University is adhering to the mayor of Winston-Salem’s mandate that masks must be worn in all indoor public spaces. Much of what is being planned for Family Weekend is intentionally being held outside where masks are not required, particularly when food or drink is being served. Because we do not have the ability to check vaccination status prior to each event and activity planned for the weekend, we ask families to allow the full protection offered by masks by not bringing food or beverages indoors.
A limited number of buildings are open for the public; the majority of campus buildings are still restricted to card access only, including the Wellbeing Center. University administrative buildings, including Reynolda Hall, ZSR Library, Benson Center, Wait Chapel and Davis Chapel and certain athletics buildings are accessible to visitors, subject to the current visitor mask policy and restrictions specific to particular buildings. Please note that our residential communities (i.e., student residences) are not open to the public; families should only enter them as needed and must be accompanied by their student.
For additional information regarding steps the University is taking to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission on campus, we strongly encourage you to review the University’s COVID-19 Notice.
We are grateful for your understanding and adherence to these protocols as we help create a safe experience for our guests on campus.”
We look forward to seeing you Family Weekend!