2026 Homecoming traffic, parking and security

One of the best times to be a part of the Hornet Family is upon us! During DSU’s 2026 Homecoming festivities, University officials and the DSU Police Department are excited to share this time celebrating students, alumni and the entire Hornet community. As we prepare for a memorable week of reunion and connection, keeping our students, staff, alumni and visitors safe is of top priority. As such, the DSU Police Department developed a comprehensive, multifaceted Homecoming Security Plan to ensure this year’s festivities proceed safely and with little to no disruption.

Homecoming Security Plan Overview

The DSU Police Department has implemented a range of security measures to create a safe and secure environment for this year’s Homecoming celebrations. These measures include deploying more than 200 sworn police officers and security professionals who will provide an increased presence throughout campus and during the Homecoming festivities.

Homecoming Week — October 4–11

Residential Hall Guidelines

• No Visitation: External guests are not permitted in any residence halls during Homecoming week.
• No Overnight Guests: No visitors should be staying with students in the residence halls.
• Student ID Required: All DSU students must present their student ID every time they enter their residence hall.
  Note: ID stickers will not be distributed this year, but ID checks are in full effect. You must show your DSU ID at all times.
• Cross-Building Visitation: Students are not permitted to visit a residence hall they do not live in.
• Policy Enforcement: Resident Directors reserve the right to cancel internal visitation privileges in their buildings if policies are not followed.

Building and Closure Times

All campus gates will be closed at 5 p.m. with mandatory ID checks after 5 p.m.

Homecoming Saturday — October 10

• All campus buildings will be closed by 3 p.m.
• The campus will close at 6 p.m. SHARP! DSUPD, external law enforcement and security personnel will begin clearing the campus by 5 p.m. We ask that all students, staff, alumni, guests and visitors plan accordingly and exit the campus promptly to ensure a safe and orderly conclusion to DSU’s Homecoming activities.
• ALL vehicles that remain on campus after 8 p.m. and do not have the appropriate DSU parking decal or temporary DSU parking decal displayed on the driver-side windshield of the vehicle will be towed at the owner's expense.

Traffic and Parking Plan

DSUPD will manage vehicle and pedestrian traffic, parking and crowd control throughout Homecoming Week. Please follow posted signs and instructions from officers to help us maintain smooth operations.

Campus Gates

The Main Campus Gate, located off of South DuPont Highway, will close at 7:30 a.m. and all traffic will be directed to Gates 1 and 2.

• Gate 1 — Accessibility Parking, Vendors, Tailgating, Lot 1 and Lot 4 Parking Passes, Season Ticket Holders, Ride Share Programs
• Gate 2 — General Parking
• Gate 3 — Shuttle Services, VIP Guests, Special Event Parking Pass Holders, Lot 6 and 7 Pass Holders, DSU Media Pass Holders

Event Parking

Parking fee: Parking for the event will cost $40 online and $60 on game day. All guests and visitors must purchase a parking pass in advance of Saturday, October 10, at https://dsuhornets.universitytickets.com/w/default.aspx?cid=204.

All DSU students, faculty and staff members with a valid DSU parking decal or temporary DSU parking decal may park in the designated parking lots for free. Please make sure the DSU decal is affixed to the driver-side windshield of the registered vehicle.

• Students — Lots 16 and 25
• Faculty and Staff — Lot 18
• Sodexo Staff — Lot 24

Reserved parking:

• Reserved Parking Only (Lots are Full) — Parking Lots 1, 3, 3A and 4
• Athletics Reserved Parking — Parking Lot 6 and 7
• Executive Parking Only — Parking Lot 17
• First Responder and Security Parking — Parking Lots 12 and 13
• Reserved ADA Parking Only (With Valid Placard or License Plate) — Parking Lot 1 (13 spaces available), Parking Lot 14 and designated parking spots in Lot 18

General parking and designated overflow area:

• General Parking — Parking Lots 16, 19, 24 and 25
• General Parking Overflow Area — Ag Lot located off of College Road.

Ride Share Programs

Ride Share Programs such as Lyft and Uber will be permitted to enter through Gate 1. The designated drop-off/pickup zone will be at the International Flags which is located adjacent to the Martin Luther King Student Center.

Enhanced Security

• Weapon-detection technology will be in place to alert the DSUPD to any unauthorized weapons on campus. This, along with a strict no-weapons policy, will ensure the safety of all Homecoming attendees.
• Aerial drones may be deployed to provide surveillance of key areas on campus. License plate readers will help manage vehicle traffic and ensure the safety of those driving on and near campus.
• Our campus-wide security camera system has been expanded, providing more than 800 camera views to monitor activities in real time.
• Mobile Security Camera towers will aid in real-time monitoring of this year’s Homecoming activities.
• Magnetometers will be utilized throughout the Homecoming events to assist with personal property inspections prior to entering an event.

Prohibited Items

• All bags will be physically inspected prior to venue entry and are subject to search at any time.
• Weapons — Possession, storage or use of any guns, firearms, explosives, ammunition, knives, and other weapons and dangerous instruments deemed to be a weapon by the University is strictly prohibited. This also applies to anyone who has been legally issued a Delaware license or of any other state to carry a concealed deadly weapon (CCDW) and/or retired law enforcement. All weapons are prohibited.
• No food, cans, coolers, and other containers (except in cases of medical need, as certified by a physician) are allowed.
• No smoking products i.e. matches, lighters, vapes, etc.
• Alcohol and Marijuana Consumption — DSU is a dry campus. Possession and/or consumption of alcohol and/or marijuana is strictly prohibited. Federal law prohibits the use, possession, distribution and cultivation of marijuana (cannabis) at educational institutions.
• No artificial noise makers, air horns, or megaphones may be used.
• No promotional items with commercial slogans or identification
• No large signs, flags, poles, banners, balloons, or laser pointers
• Any item that may be deemed a security risk will not be allowed into the venue.

There are no designated lockers or holding areas.

Campus Shield (Emergency Alert)

The DSU Police Department strongly encourages our students, staff and visitors to register for the University’s Emergency Alert System, Campus Shield. This application enables the University to provide notification of any potential or actual emergency/threat that may exist – whether it is a weather event, an environmental mishap such as a chemical leak, a fire, a safety threat, or any other type of emergency.

For more information about Campus Shield, please visit the DSU Police Department’s web page at https://www.desu.edu/about/police-department/emergency-alerts. The application can be downloaded, free of charge, to either an iPhone or Android directly from our website.

Community Expectations

Homecoming is a special and proud time of the year to represent and honor the values and heritage of this great institution. The DSU Police Department is committed to providing a safe environment to all students, faculty, staff and visitors during the highly anticipated Homecoming festivities. We expect all attendees to respect and adhere to University policies and the direction of law enforcement and security personnel. We want everyone in attendance to be safe and have a great experience. However, acts of violence, disorderly or disruptive behaviors such as fighting, public intoxication, possession or consumption of illegal drugs (this includes marijuana on a College/University campus), breach of peace, and a blatant disregard for University policy will not be tolerated.

Consequences

Criminal behavior, violence or any actions that compromise the safety of our community will not be tolerated — anyone involved with or connected to criminal activity will face prosecution and/or be permanently banned from the University.

Reporting Criminal/Suspicious Activity

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING — The safety and security of the Hornet community is of the utmost importance. To ensure a secure and enjoyable Homecoming celebration, the DSUPD encourages all attendees to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior or potential threats immediately. By working together, we can maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all who come to campus to celebrate the rich traditions and bright future of DSU.

For more information about DSU’s 2026 Homecoming events, please visit DSU’s Homecoming website: https://www.desu.edu/homecoming.

I would like to thank everyone in advance for their cooperation and for assisting DSU and the DSU Police Department with maintaining a safe Homecoming week!

Sincerely,

Donald D. Baynard
Chief of Police
DSU Police Department