U of A to Host Walmart Associates Next Week; What to Know About Navigating Campus

The U of A will host thousands of Walmart U.S., Sam's Club and Walmart International employees next week for the company's annual Associates Week. 

Visitors will attend business meetings, concerts and other festivities across campus during the week, and the Friday Associate Celebration will be held at Bud Walton Arena on June 5, starting at 8 a.m. Many associates will be arriving on Saturday, May 30, and will be staying in residence halls on campus, so pedestrian traffic on campus is expected to increase at that time. 

Below are parking and transportation announcements to keep in mind during the week. 

Road Closures 

Nolan Richardson Drive between Razorback Road and Stadium Drive will be accessible only to holders of event-specific parking passes on Wednesday and Friday. 

Meadow Street will also be accessible only to event-specific pass holders Monday through Friday due to the high number of pedestrians. The U of A Police Department (UAPD) will be on site at these locations to direct traffic.

Other roads around campus will also be closed this summer as the City of Fayetteville works on improvement projects.  

• Maple Street will be closed from Garland Avenue past Leverett Avenue. Those needing to navigate around the Maple Street closure are encouraged to use Cleveland Street as an alternate route.  

• The northbound section of Garland Avenue from Maple Street to Cleveland Street is limited to one lane.  

• The section of Stadium Drive from Meadow Street to the entrance of the Stadium Drive Parking Garage is closed for construction. 

Parking Lots 

The Meadow Street Parking Garage will be closed to the public Monday through Friday. Several other lots will be closed various days starting May 25 through June 5. Those lots will have Walmart parking controllers at the entrances.  

The increase in population on campus could impact employees. Transit and Parking encourages flexible and alternative work options during this week to ease congestion and demand around campus parking.