By Scarlett Barger
Starting today, BYU campus will be transformed to accommodate more than 20,000 women from around the world. Jolene Merica, program administrator, said Women”s Conference nearly triples the campus population during spring term.
“You”ll definitely notice the women on campus,” she said.
In fact, there will be so many women that several men”s restrooms will temporarily be used as women”s restrooms, she said.
Housing will also be altered for the conference. According to womensconference.byu.edu, BYU is opening up Helaman Halls, Heritage Halls, and Deseret Towers for visitors.
Local hotels are also an option, although most in the Provo/Orem area are already booked, the Web site said.
April Niemann, a desk clerk at Best Inn and Suites on Canyon Road in Provo, said the inn filled up for the conference last November.
Niemann said she believes women choose the inn because of location. Most people leave their cars at the hotel, because they can just walk to campus, she said.
Richard Hemsley, front office manager at Best Western Cotton Tree Inn in Provo, said some women make reservations a year in advance for Women”s Conference.
Some women even have a tradition of staying in the same hotel each year, he said.
According to womensconference.byu.edu, BYU dining services will feed the bulk of participants. From the Marketplace Caf? in the Tanner Building to the Original Creamery Store to the Morris and Cannon Center cafeterias, conference visitors will have various options.
Morris Center chef administrator Gene Latta, said the Morris Center is adjusting its spring hours to accommodate the women.
Although much of the meal options are the same as for students, he said he is removing some items, such as hamburgers, to suit demand.
Campus parking will also be affected by the conference. According to an April 20 memo sent to BYU Personnel from President Bateman, faculty and staff are encouraged to arrive before 9:00 a.m. on both conference days to ensure a parking space.
Most conference parking will be north and east of the Marriott Center (lots 19 and 20), north of the Bean Museum (lot 22), southeast of LaVell Edwards Stadium (lot 49) and west of the stadium (lot 45), the memo said.
