Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic Provide Update on Campus Changes during First 2020 Presidential Debate
Thursday, September 24, 2020: On Sept. 29, Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) are hosting the first Presidential Debate of 2020 at our shared Sheila and Eric Samson Pavilion at the Health Education Campus.
We are continuing to work with the Commission on Presidential Debates to finalize logistics for the event that will impact access to both the Health Education Campus and Cleveland Clinic campus in the days leading up to the debate.
During this time, all services on Cleveland Clinic’s main campus will continue to be offered to patients, who are being notified ahead of time, to ensure they have updated information on parking, street closures and other details before they come to the hospital. Patients and caregivers are encouraged to allow for extra travel time and prepare for additional vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
Hosting the first presidential debate of 2020 is an honor for Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic, and an exciting opportunity for our city.
Safety remains our top priority. We are working closely with our Cleveland Clinic police department, CWRU and University Circle police departments as well as the Cleveland Division of Police and the U.S. Secret Service to maintain a safe environment leading up to and during the debate.
As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, safety precautions remain in place to keep the hospital safe for caregivers and patients and help limit the spread of the virus. These efforts include temperature checks, mandatory masking, social distancing, hand hygiene and frequent cleaning. Access to hospital facilities are limited to patients, approved visitors and caregivers.
The latest information on changes to Cleveland Clinic entrances, parking, traffic patterns, and more will be available at www.clevelandclinic.org/maincampusclosures
Changes to Cleveland Clinic main campus entrances:
- Cleveland Clinic’s main entrance will be temporarily moving from the Miller Pavilion (J Building) on Euclid Avenue to the Glickman Building (Q building) on East 96th Street, beginning Sept. 25 by 8 p.m.
- Starting Saturday, September 26, the main entrance to our R Building – Cleveland Clinic Children’s Outpatient Center on Euclid Avenue will close. It will be temporarily replaced by the entrance on East 90th Street. Parents/drivers can drop-off and pick-up at this door – valet services will not be available. Parking is available in the P4 Parking Garage. Signage will help direct traffic.
Parking:
- The East 93rd Street (JJ, Parking 1) garage will close on Saturday, Sept. 26. The garage is expected to resume normal operations on Thursday, Oct. 1.
- Please note that the JJ Euclid Avenue Pharmacy will have normal operating hours on Sept. 26 and 27. Starting Monday, Sept. 28, the pharmacy will operate under the following reduced hours:
- Monday, September 28: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, September 29: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Cleveland Clinic caregivers will assist patients needing access to the pharmacy. All other main campus pharmacies will operate during normal business hours.
- The Parking 2 garage at Carnegie and East 100th Street will serve all patients and visitors coming to main campus during this time. There is a connected skyway from that garage to our main hospital.
Road Closures surrounding Cleveland Clinic:
- Starting Tuesday, Sept. 22. – Northbound E. 93rd Street is closed between Euclid and Chester Avenues.
- Starting Friday, Sept. 25, Morning – Chester Avenue between E. 89th and E 101st Streets will close in both directions.
- Starting Friday, Sept. 25, at 6 p.m.
- Euclid Avenue between E. 89th and E 105th Streets will close in both directions.
- 90th, E. 96th and E. 100th Streets between Euclid and Chester Avenues will close in both directions.
- 100th Street between Carnegie and Euclid Avenues will be restricted to northbound traffic only to support the temporary main entrance at the Glickman Building. E. 100th Street will be closed at Euclid Avenue.
- 101st Street between Euclid and Chester Avenues will remain open, but will only be accessible from westbound Chester Avenue.
RTA Route Changes:
- RTA recently posted its route changes around main campus. Road closures will impact the #7, #9, #32, #48-48A and HealthLine lines. All stops inside the road closures will be closed. Click here for more information.
Changes to Health Education Campus changes:
- Samson Pavilion will be closed for academic use from Sept. 26 – Sept. 30th
Resuming normal operations at Cleveland Clinic:
- Normal operations are expected to resume on Thursday, Oct 1.
- The East 93rd Street (JJ, Parking 1) Garage is expected to open to all parkers.
- All entrances are expected to reopen.
Western Reserve Historical Society Exhibits Showcases Political Collection
Thursday, September 24, 2020: Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS) boasts one of the nation’s largest collections of political memorabilia, dating back to the founding of the United States. The political collection holds artifacts from many of the country’s greatest leaders. It also illuminates Ohio’s presidential past, Cleveland’s place in national politics, and the contributions made to U.S. history by politicians on both sides of the aisle.
For more information, visit the Western Reserve Historical Society’s website.
Resources for Media Reporting on Sept. 29 Presidential Debate Available on New, Dedicated Website
Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020: Media covering the Sept. 29 Presidential Debate hosted by Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic can now access media assets, including images and video, and connect with the organizations’ communications teams through a new website, 2020DebateCLE.com.
Media are encouraged to also follow @CCforMedia and @cwru for updates and information to support their reporting. Information on credentials, stand-ups and logistics are available through the Commission on Presidential Debates at media@debates.org.
The 90-minute debate, which begins at 9 p.m. ET, will be held on the Health Education Campus of Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in the Sheila and Eric Samson Pavilion. In addition, the Commission retained Cleveland Clinic earlier this year to serve as its Health Security Advisor for all of the fall’s debates.
Case Western Reserve and Cleveland Clinic to Host First Presidential Debate Tuesday, Sept. 29, in Health Education Campus’ Samson Pavilion
Health Education Campus (Courtesy: Roger Mastroianni)
The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) announced today that the Health Education Campus (HEC) of Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic will host the first presidential debate Tuesday, Sept. 29, in its Sheila and Eric Samson Pavilion.
“We are honored to host this presidential debate at our shared Health Education Campus,” Cleveland Clinic CEO and President Tom Mihaljevic, M.D., and Case Western Reserve University President Barbara R. Snyder said in a joint statement. “This pandemic has highlighted the critical importance of health care and scientific discovery in unprecedented ways.
To have the presidential candidates discuss these issues in our innovative learning space represents a tremendous opportunity for both institutions – and our entire region.”
Media Credential Requests
Media credential applications are now being accepted for the 2020 Presidential Debate being hosted in Cleveland, Ohio on Sept. 29.
The deadline to apply for credentials is Friday, Sept. 4, 2020, at 11:59 pm EDT. Capacity will be limited to follow county, state and CDC guidelines for health, safety and social distancing.
For information on stand-ups, credentials or logistics, please visit The Commission of Presidental Debates website or send questions to media@debates.org.
Health & safety
Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic have taken steps to help ensure 2020’s first presidential debate at the Health Education Campus will be done safely. A broad range of risk-mitigation strategies have been developed to help protect everyone within the space.
In addition to co-hosting the first debate, Cleveland Clinic also serves as Health Security Advisor to the Commission on Presidential Debates, which guides on safety matters for all four 2020 general election debates. Cleveland Clinic is working with healthcare professionals in the debate host cities to ensure a consistent approach to health and safety. The plan Cleveland Clinic develops for the Cleveland debate will guide subsequent 2020 debates.