On Wednesday, Sept. 3, Quinnipiac University students received an email from Public Safety Chief Tony Reyes informing them that Hogan Lot is now closed to food delivery and rideshare services.
“These changes are being implemented to reduce traffic congestion, prevent hazardous conditions and to keep our campus community safe,” Reyes wrote.
Hogan Lot was previously used as the main location for Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and Uber Eats, however in an effort to keep the campus and community safe this is no longer an option.
“Services such as Lyft, Uber/Uber Eats, DoorDash and others are prohibited from stopping on or parking along Hogan Road and New Road,” Reyes wrote. “All drivers must use the designated lots for pickups and deliveries.”
Now, the pick-up and drop-off location is the North Lot, located outside of The Recreation and Wellness Center.
When drivers arrive at the North Lot they are required to stop at the gate and provide identification and proof of the service they are providing.
As of now there are no plans for Hogan Lot being reopened for pick-up and drop-off services, however Reyes notes that it is possible.
Earlier in the week, rumors circulated via Yik Yak that a student was injured in Hogan Lot over the weekend. Yik Yak is an anonymous site used by students.
As a result of the speculated injury, students rumored that Hogan lot will be closed before the official announcement was made.
“Wait so what the hell happened?,” a student wrote on Yik Yak early in the week. “We can never use hogan again? What is going on?”
Reyes denied this rumor.
“I am not aware of any injury,” Reyes wrote. “This decision was made to ensure the safety of the community and to avoid hazardous conditions on Hogan (Road) and New Road.”
The decision comes after hazardous conditions were observed over the first couple weeks of the semester.
“Over the past two weeks, since the start of the semester, we’ve received multiple reports of students being dropped off along New Road and Hogan Road,” Reyes wrote. “These drop-offs created hazardous conditions for both pedestrians and drivers. After observing the situation firsthand, Public Safety—alongside the Hamden Police Department—determined that immediate action was necessary.”
They chose North Lot as the designated location for its “ample space for safe drop-offs” and because it “is centrally located, making it accessible to all areas of campus.”
For many students, the location comes as an inconvenience.
“I understand why they are doing it but as a student it can be frustrating,” sophomore nursing major Alyvia Bailey said. “Especially as a sophomore when it’s what you are used to.”
Hogan Lot sits close to several residence halls, while North Lot is a further distance for many.
“Closing the Hogan parking lot has created such an inconvenience for students who live in dorms close by,” sophomore marketing major Genna Calton said. “I would have groceries delivered to Hogan since I cannot park my car on main. Having to go out of my way to get to a further parking lot to pick up food is a waste of time.”
In regards to food delivery, a plan is currently in the works to reinstate a program allowing local businesses to deliver food on Bobcat Way.
“The program required businesses to register their delivery drivers with Quinnipiac Public Safety, granting them access through the South Gate,” Reyes wrote. “Students would then meet drivers at a designated location on Bobcat Way. We’re currently reaching out to area businesses to gauge interest, and if there’s sufficient participation, we’ll share the details with students right away.”
