2015 Undergraduate Commencement Accommodation Instructions
Enclosed you will find your parking permit, instructions and a campus map to assist you in planning to attend
the Undergraduate Commencement and School/College events.
The parking permit provided is valid for the specific lot assigned for the University Commencement on
Friday, May 8th as well as any on-campus, handicap parking spot near the school/college events you may
be attending on Saturday, May 9th. Please display your permit on your driver side dashboard along with
your state issued Handicap Placard (if you have one). Be advised that this pass only applies to on-campus
lots and is not appropriate for use off campus or on any other dates.
Please be sure to put the permit in a memorable place for safe keeping until you depart for the
Commencement Ceremony. It is helpful to have it posted on the driver’s side dashboard as you drive on
campus so UMass Police can direct you to the correct lot.
In order to gain access to Lot 22, you MUST enter campus from Route 116. If you are coming from Route
9, take 116N, at the UMass Exit, take a RIGHT onto North Hadley Road. If you are coming from 116S, take a
LEFT at the top of the exit onto North Hadley Road. From either direction, take your first RIGHT heading
toward the track and then an immediate LEFT to follow the Stadium Drive down to LOT 22. You will NOT be
able to access LOT 22 from University Drive as the road is closed early to accommodate buses.
The Commencement web site (http://umass.edu/commencement/) has detailed driving directions and
recommendations that that are based upon years of experience. Additionally, MA traveler
http://www.masstraveler.com/ provides helpful directions and up to date traffic information.
The parking permit is valid for the specific parking lot listed for the University Commencement on Friday, May
8th. Accessible van shuttle service and golf-cart service is available directly from Lot 22 to the stadium prior to
and following the Commencement. Wheelchair accessible restroom facilities will be available throughout the
stadium grounds with a cluster near Gate 1/Section 10, which is the entrance/exit for all guests with disabilities.
The University is providing a number of golf carts that can transport guests from the shuttle drop-off site at the
stadium, or inside the stadium, directly to the seats, if needed. This is the best option for folks with limited
mobility. Folks using wheelchairs should await transport from a van shuttle with a wheelchair lift, unless they
are comfortable wheeling themselves or being pushed by a friend/family member.
The University does not have wheelchairs for rent at the event. Please contact a local medical supply store in
your community, if you will be in need of one.
We encourage all folks with mobility impairments to plan to enter and exit at Gate 1/Section 10 in the NW
corner of the stadium. There will be a tent located nearby Gate 1 following the commencement where folks can
comfortably await van/shuttle service back to Lot 22.
Undergraduate Commencement is scheduled for Friday, May 8, 2015 at 4:30 PM in the McGuirk Alumni
Stadium. Keep in mind that there will be significant traffic on Commencement day, so it is best to allow
plenty of time for travel before and after the event. Our 25,000 guests trickle in throughout the day, but when
Commencement is over, everyone wants to leave at once, which leads to delays. Plan on that and be aware that
traffic exiting Lot 22 will encounter significant traffic congestion. If you or your guests are able, you may
walk/wheel back to Lot 22, or you may take a seat in the tent at Gate 1/Section 10 and be transported via golfcart or van with a wheelchair lift back to Lot 22. We encourage one person to stay with the person in need of the
van/golf-cart shuttle and to have the remainder of your party walk back to the car. This reduces the wait time for
those who need transportation.
The Commencement ceremony is rain or shine. As we are in New England, be prepared for changes in
weather. Some recommendations are comfortable foot wear, rain gear/umbrella, sun block, a hat, and
layered clothing. Sunset for Friday, May 8th is expected at 7:57 p.m. There is very little shade in the stadium
so a sunny day can become intolerable without proper planning. Many also find the evenings to be crisp, so
layered clothing or a sweater may also be advised.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase within the stadium, but you may want to pack some snacks
and water. No alcohol is available or allowed at the stadium event. Also, the campus is Tobacco Free, so there
is no smoking allowed anywhere on the UMass Campus.
Guests with mobility concerns may want to park their wheelchair or find seating on the football field,
behind the graduating seniors. The grass will be covered with flooring to provide a flat and stable surface.
There are no tickets for any seating. We encourage at least one person to stay with the guest seated on the floor
of the stadium, but prefer if larger parties could please split up and have guests who can climb stairs to sit in the
stands in order to keep enough seating open for guests who cannot climb stairs.
School & College Related Events
Each school and college event has defined parking for people with disabilities nearby. Please seek specifics
below based upon the location of the event you will be attending.
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015
11:30-12:30 p.m.
ROTC Commissioning – Air Force, Bernie Dallas Room, Goodell
Parking is available in the Campus Center Garage or in front of the Fine Arts Center.
ROTC Commissioning – Army, Bowker Auditorium
Parking is available in the Campus Center Garage or in front of the Fine Arts Center.
11:30 am – 12:30 p.m.
Phi Beta Kappa, Campus Center Auditorium
Parking is available in the Campus Center Garage at no charge.
1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Commonwealth Honors College Celebration of Excellence, Mullins Center
Parking is available in the handicapped parking spaces in the loop outside the ice rink as well as the first few
rows of Lot 25.
SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2015
9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Engineering, Recreation Center
Parking for guests with disabilities is available behind the Rec Center. Turn off Commonwealth Avenue at
Hicks Way (between Commonwealth Honors College and the Recreation Center). Turn left at the Tintersection and then turn left after the Parks Band Building. Continue straight ahead to the lot at the back of the
Recreation Center.
Isenberg School of Management, Mullins Center – Parking is available in the handicapped parking spaces in
the loop outside the ice rink as well as the first few rows of Lot 25.
University without Walls (UWW) and CPE (Continuing & Professional Education) Campus Center
Auditorium
Parking is available in the Campus Center Garage at no charge.
Nursing, Fine Arts Center
Handicap Parking is available in handicapped parking spaces in the front of the Fine Arts Center. Enter through
the Haigis Mall.
Education, Bernie Dallas Room, Goodell
Parking is available in the Campus Center Garage at no charge.
10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Stockbridge School of Agriculture, Bowker Auditorium
Parking for people with disabilities is available in handicapped parking spaces in Lot 65, North of Stockbridge
Hall.
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Social & Behavioral Sciences, Mullins Center
Parking is available in the handicapped parking spaces in the loop outside the ice rink as well as the first few
rows of Lot 25.
Public Health & Health Sciences, Fine Arts Center
Parking for people with disabilities is available in front of the Fine Arts Center. Enter through the Haigis Mall.
Humanities & Fine Arts, Recreation Center
Parking for guests with disabilities is available behind the Rec Center. Turn off Commonwealth Avenue at
Hicks Way (between Commonwealth Honors College and the Recreation Center). Turn left at the Tintersection and then turn left after the Parks Band Building. Continue straight ahead to the lot at the back of the
Recreation Center.
BDIC, Campus Center Auditorium
Parking is available in the Campus Center Garage at no charge.
5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Natural Sciences, Mullins Center
Parking is available in the handicapped parking spaces in the loop outside the ice rink as well as the first few
rows of Lot 25.
If the handicap parking near your event is full, overflow accessible parking is available in Lot 26 on Governor’s
Drive. To get a ride to your event from Lot 26 check-in with the van driver stationed in the lot or call
(413) 545-2086.
We hope you have a lovely Commencement weekend!