Parking for Commencement weekend
Baccalaureate parking
As guests arrive on campus for the Baccalaureate service, traffic personal will be directing vehicles to parking areas. The doors for Baccalaureate open at 6 p.m., one hour before the start of the ceremony, so please plan accordingly to allow time for you and your party to park and walk to Eisenhower Campus Center, the location of the Baccalaureate service. There will not be shuttle services available for this event.
Guest disability parking
Disability parking is available for the Baccalaureate service and requires either: 1) an official state-issued parking hang tag or license plate or 2) a special university-issued parking pass. University-issued passes will need to be picked up by the graduate for his/her guests, beginning April, 15, 2024, from the Dispatch office located on the first floor of Eisenhower Campus Center. The university-issued disability parking pass may be used both for the Baccalaureate service and for the Commencement ceremony.
Commencement day parking
On Commencement day, traffic personnel will direct guests to designated parking areas on campus. At designated spots, shuttle buses will transport guests between their parking area and Starry Athletic Complex, both before and after the Commencement ceremony. The distance from the parking shuttle drop-off point (near the Covered Bridge) to the ceremony site at Shoemaker Field is about 1/4-mile on a paved surface with a slight incline.
Guest disability parking
Limited disability parking is available for the Commencement service and requires either: 1) an official state issued parking hang tag or disability license plate or 2) a special university-issued parking pass. University-issued passes will need to be picked up by the graduate for his/her guests, beginning April 15, 2024, from the Dispatch Office located in the Eisenhower Campus Center. The university-issued disability parking pass may be used both for the Baccalaureate service and for the Commencement ceremony.
Special assistance
Golf cart transportation assistance will be available 1) from the disability parking lot and 2) on a limited basis for those guests requiring mobility assistance between the parking shuttle drop point near the Covered Bridge and the ceremony site. There are no advance arrangements needed for this service. However, guests should be aware that they may experience wait times coinciding with the high demand before and following the ceremony, so please allow extra time in your planning.
Construction change for 2024: This year, due to construction at Starry Athletic Complex, golf carts will not be able to transport guests all the way up to Shoemaker Field. Guests will need to walk from the golf cart drop-off point in the Starry Athletic Complex parking area to Shoemaker Field. (It is approximately 100 yards, up a slight incline, to get to the field and then additional walking to seating areas.) Questions regarding mobiity and transportation at Commencement may be directed to the Office of Conference and Event Services at 717.691.6009.
Return shuttles
Following the conclusion of the Commencement ceremony, shuttles will run approximately for 90 minutes following the ceremony to return guests to their vehicles from Starry Athletic Complex.
Commuter student parking
Graduating seniors who are commuter students participating in the Commencement ceremony may pick up a university-issued commuter parking pass at the Dispatch Office, located on the first floor of Eisenhower Campus Center beginning April 15, 2024. Commuters must have a pass in order to park near Eisenhower Campus Center on Commencement day, and should arrive early on campus to avoid delays in getting to the line-up location for the ceremony.
Adult degree program graduates
Adult degree program graduates will receive their parking passes via U.S. mail at the home address they have on file with the University. These students must display their university-issued pass in order to park near Eisenhower Campus Center on Commencement day, and should arrive early on campus to avoid delays in getting to the line-up location for the ceremony. As needed, these students may also request a disability parking pass be mailed to them for their guests by calling the Messiah Box Office at 717-691-6036 beginning April 15, 2024.The University-issued disability parking pass may be used both for the Baccalaureate service and for the Commencement ceremony.
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