Security, accessibility and logistics at the USI

Security
The campuses of Lugano and Mendrisio are protected by a night-surveillance service. Agents perform their duty with great discretion; however, should they deem it necessary, they are entitled to ask anyone found in the buildings at night to justify their presence - especially in the computer laboratories, reserved to USI students only.
Contact: sicurezza@usi.ch
Lugano: Tel. 058 666 4730

Accessibility
A personal magnetic badge allows USI students to access computer laboratories 24/7. The Lugano lab hosts approximately a hundred PCs. In Mendrisio about 80 workstations are available, between PCs and MACs.

Students with disabilities
Lugano and Mendrisio campuses have structures for special needs access.
For assistance and support to students with disabilities, please contact:
Pro Infirmis Luganese e Mendrisiotto
Via dei Sindacatori 1
6900 Massagno
Tel. +41 (0)91 960 28 70
Fax +41 (0)91 960 28 88

Logistics
Train
Students traveling around Switzerland by train can buy annual half-price subscriptions at any Swiss Federal railway station (www.ffs.ch). Monthly tickets at reduced prices are also available for students who travel daily by train between Switzerland and Italy.

The Mendrisio railway station is within easy walking distance from the Accademia. It connects Mendrisio with Lugano and Milan.
From Lugano railway station, the campus can be reached by bus (or on foot in about 25-30 minutes).

Bus
An efficient bus system guarantees good mobility around Lugano and neighboring towns. Post buses and inter-region buses (Autolinee Regionali Luganesi) connect Lugano to out-of-town destinations. For information (in Italian): www.lugano.ch/trasporti/welcome.cfm A regular bus service connects Mendrisio and the Accademia to Chiasso and Como. For information and schedules (in Italian): www.arcobaleno.ch

Cars and parking
The minimum age required to drive in Switzerland is 18 years old. Driving with a valid non-Swiss driving licence is permitted for 12 months.
Parking in Lugano around the campus can be quite difficult.
In Mendrisio, some free parking lots are available at the Centro Manifestazioni Mercato Coperto. Semi-annual parking permits at reduced rates are available for parking near the Accademia. A municipal multi-storey parking is also available.

Bycicle
The contained size of Lugano and Mendisio makes bicycles an effective and inexpensive vehicle. You may find cheap bicycles at:
Soccorso Operaio Svizzero SOS, Atelier RI-cicletta,
Via Zurigo 17, 6900 Lugano
tel. +41 91 921 01 02