Transportation Services has announced parking information for Penn State commencement ceremonies to be held at University Park from Friday, May 5 through Sunday, May 7.
Bryce Jordan Center Commencement Ceremonies (May 5 through May 7)
To manage the significant congestion expected around the Bryce Jordan Center, Medlar Field, Beaver Stadium and University Drive during spring commencement weekend, traffic and parking will be managed by filling alternating lots for each commencement ceremony. Drivers will be directed to the appropriate lot by University Police and event parking staff based on the traffic and parking conditions at the time of their arrival. Please use caution while traveling through this area of campus and allow extra time to reach your destination.
General parking for Penn State spring commencement ceremonies being held at the Bryce Jordan Center will be available at one or more of the following parking areas, as directed by University Police and event parking staff:
- Lot 44 – located east of the Bryce Jordan Center, and accessible from Porter Road (via Park Avenue or College Avenue) and Dauer Drive (via University Drive)
- Stadium West – located west of Beaver Stadium, and accessible only from Park Avenue
- Porter North – located north of Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, and accessible from Porter Road (via Park Avenue or College Avenue)
ADA parking will be available at the following Lot 44 and Stadium West areas:
- Northwest corner of Lot 44 near Bryce Jordan Center Gate B, across from the Penn State All-Sports Museum (accessible from intersection of Porter Road and Curtin Road)
- Section of Lot Orange L located between the Bryce Jordan Center and Lot 44 (accessible from Dauer Drive via University Drive)
- First three rows of parking in the southeast corner of Stadium West near Beaver Stadium, and the first four rows in the southwest corner of Stadium West near University Drive/Curtin Road intersection (all accessible only from Park Avenue)
To ensure the safety of all guests and to assist with traffic flow between each ceremony, drivers are discouraged from dropping off or picking up guests outside of the designated ADA parking areas. These areas are ADA accessible and located just a short distance from entrances to the Bryce Jordan Center. Curtin Road will also be closed to vehicle traffic between University Drive and the entrance to Lot 44 throughout most of the commencement ceremonies to allow safe pedestrian access between Stadium West and the Bryce Jordan Center.
Commencement parking at Lot 44, Stadium West and Porter North for all Bryce Jordan Center ceremonies will be available at no charge, courtesy of Penn State Transportation Services.
Eisenhower Auditorium Commencement Ceremonies on May 5 and May 6
Visitors attending commencement ceremonies at Eisenhower Auditorium on Friday, May 5, and Saturday, May 6, are directed to park at the adjacent Eisenhower Parking Deck, which are each located on Eisenhower Road.
General and ADA parking will be available at each level of the Eisenhower Deck, with elevator access located at the south corner.
With heavy traffic expected on the east side of campus throughout the day Saturday due to commencement ceremonies being held at the Bryce Jordan Center, those attending ceremonies at Eisenhower are advised of the following travel recommendations:
- Drivers are urged to avoid the Park Avenue exits from Routes 220 and 322, as well as University Drive, and instead should use the Route 322 Business exits at the south and north ends of Atherton Street to travel to campus.
- From Atherton Street, drivers are encouraged to approach Eisenhower Auditorium from the west side of campus, using Park Avenue or Curtin Road to reach Shortlidge Road or Bigler Road, where vehicles will then travel south to Eisenhower Road to reach Eisenhower Auditorium and the Eisenhower Deck.
Special Parking Advisory for College of Earth and Mineral Sciences Commencement Ceremony at Pegula Ice Arena on Friday, May 5
Visitors attending the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences ceremony at Pegula Ice Arena on Friday, May 5, are encouraged to park in Lot 44 South (located at the lower end of Lot 44 and accessible from University Drive via Dauer Road) or Stadium West (located west of Beaver Stadium and accessible from Park Avenue).
ADA parking for this ceremony will be at available at the section of Lot Yellow H located just north of Pegula Ice Arena and accessible from Curtin Road, and in the southwest corner of the Stadium West lot.
Special Parking and Traffic Advisory for College of Communication Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 6
With a reception to be held at Pegula Ice Arena following the College of Communication commencement ceremony at the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, May 6, College of Communications’ graduates, families, and guests are encouraged to park in the East Parking Deck, located on Bigler Road, just south of Park Avenue.
Leaving from this location following the reception will allow attendees to avoid congestion near the Jordan Center from other incoming commencement attendees, as well as from those attending the Penn State Baseball game at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
ADA parking for the College of Communications’ commencement ceremony and reception will be available at the section of Lot Yellow H at Shields Building, which is located on Curtin Road next to
More Information
Commencement parking for all ceremonies in the areas designated above will be available at no charge, courtesy of Penn State Transportation Services.
For more information regarding spring commencement, please visit Penn State's commencement website.
If there are any questions, please contact the Parking Office by phone at 814-865-1436 or by email at parking@psu.edu.