Mission and Values:

WPI’s mission and values are critical to the well-being of our campus and our community.  When participants are invited to campus for our events, everyone is expected to act in accordance with these values of Respect, Community, Inclusion, Innovation, and Achievement.  Behavior contrary to these values will not be tolerated.

Food Options:

  • On-Campus:
    • The concession stand will offer a variety of candy, snacks, drinks, and popcorn during the event. Proceeds benefit the WPI Community Practice Field.
    • The WPI Morgan Dining Hall will be open:
      • Saturday 11-2
      • Sunday 12-3
    • The campus center food court and on-campus Dunkin will be closed during the event. 
  • Off-Campus:
    • There are many restaurants located within walking distance of campus and/or that will deliver to campus.  Teams are welcome to bring their own food or patronize local establishments.
    • Here’s a document to help you identify some local restaurants and stores that you might need during your time on campus.

Equity and Accessibility:

Mobility Challenges

  • If you have a disability plate or placard, accessible spaces are located in many spaces around campus, including the following near the venue:
    • On the exterior of the Park Ave Garage
    • Inside the Park Ave Garage
    • On the Quad near the Bartlett Center
    • On Institute Rd outside Daniels Hall
  • If someone on your team has limited mobility, they may be dropped off at:
    • the circle outside the Park Ave Garage
    • the Robot Load-in Area outside of the Rec Center
  • Elevators are available from the parking garage and in both buildings.
    • From the parking garage, follow the signs for access to the Quad.  You will proceed up a ramp to the Rec Center, enter the lobby, and the elevator is on your right.  If the door is locked, ring the buzzer to gain access.
    • Once inside, the Rec Center elevator can bring you to the pit and competition floor level (Floor 2).  It can also bring you to the Quad (Floor 3).
    • Inside Harrington, the elevator can bring you from the arena floor level (Floor 2) to the restrooms, seating, and Quad (Floor 3), or to the top of the bleachers and balcony (Floor 4)

Sensory Issues

  • We know events can be loud, bright, and generally overwhelming.  We do our best at every event to have a quiet room, although sometimes they are small and not out of the way enough from the congested areas of the event.  If you need some space away from the crowd and noise, we can suggest:
    • You may go to the 3rd floor lobby of the Rec Center.  You MAY NOT use any gym equipment, but there are couches and tables in that area.
  • Weather-permitting, there are also many quiet outdoor spaces to enjoy, including:

Restrooms

  • WPI encourages everyone to use the restroom they are most comfortable using.  Throughout campus, we have male- and female-identified restroom spaces, gender-inclusive restrooms, and wheelchair-accessible restrooms.
    • Sports and Rec Center (building with the robot pits)
      • Male- and female-identified restrooms are located on every floor of the building.  All are wheelchair accessible.
      • Gender-inclusive, wheel-chair accessible restrooms are located on the 3rd floor.  These include individual bathrooms with large spaces for those who need assistance.
    • Harrington Auditorium (building with the competition field)
      • Male- and female-identified restrooms are located on the 3rd floor of the building.  These are wheelchair accessible.
      • Gender-inclusive restrooms are located on the 3rd floor by the Forkey Conference room.  These are not specifically wheel-chair accessible.

Prohibited Activities

  • WPI is a tobacco-free campus and no smoking/vaping is allowed on campus grounds.   If you wish to participate in these activities, you must leave campus.

Emergency Management

Housing Options:

  • On-campus: No dorm rooms are available for 2024.  We are likely to bring this option back in 2025 and beyond.
  • Off-campus: A multitude of hotels are available in the surrounding area.  We will once again work to secure discounted rates at some of the closest hotels.  See the bottom of this page for recommended local hotels.
    • When searching for hotels, please consider looking in cities and towns within a 20 minute drive of WPI including Auburn, Shrewsbury, Westborough, and Marlborough.
    • Search for other nearby accommodations.