Commencement Parking and Transportation Information

Before You Arrive

Parking at UCSC during Commencement Weekend is extremely limited. Please consider carpooling or taking public transportation. Information about Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (SCMTD) buses is available at www.scmtd.com.

Each graduate receives two commencement parking permits (general or disabled) from their college, as well as specific information about the location and time of their ceremony. Commencement ceremonies take place on either the east or west side of campus. Be sure to ask your graduate which side of campus their commencement ceremony takes place, and follow the “EAST” or “WEST” commencement directional signs when you arrive at UCSC.

Due to the large number of people arriving on campus throughout Commencement Weekend, please arrive no more than 45 minutes to 1-1/2 hours before the scheduled commencement you’re attending.

• Friday Map
• Saturday Map
• Sunday Map

When You Arrive

Have your commencement parking permit ready. Follow the directional signs for your college commencement as you approach the campus main entrance at Bay and High Streets. If you do not have a commencement parking permit, park at the Barn Theater (Lot 122) at the campus main entrance. Shuttles will transport you to your commencement. If you have an east side permit, proceed through the main entrance and follow directional signage to the appropriate parking lot. Note: You will not be allowed to proceed beyond the East Remote Parking Lot on Hagar Drive unless you have a VIP or disabled permit. If you have a west side permit, continue on High Street past the main entrance, and turn right at the West Entrance on Heller Drive; follow directional signage to the appropriate parking lot. If you have a large vehicle (e.g., buses, limousines and recreational vehicles) park at the Barn Theater parking lot located at the campus main entrance. Once parked at the Barn Theater, board a campus shuttle bus to ceremony locations. Buses, limousines and recreational vehicles will not be allowed into parking lots at ceremony locations.

Parking

University Police and parking lot attendants will be present at campus parking lot entrances and will direct guests to the correct parking lot for the commencement ceremony that they will be attending. Please cooperate with police and parking lot attendants in regard to parking instructions. Place your commencement parking permit on your dash and either walk to the commencement location or go to a shuttle pick-up stop in each parking lot to be transported.

VIP and Disabled Parking

Each commencement ceremony has designated VIP and disabled parking. Have your permit ready and inform the parking lot attendants of your need and they will direct you to appropriate spaces.

Commencement Shuttle Service

Special campus shuttles are provided between parking lots and commencement ceremonies. For transportation from parking lots to ceremonies walk to the nearest shuttle bus stop and take a shuttle that displays the name of the college of your graduate. In addition to commencement-specific shuttles, a Loop Shuttle will run both clockwise and counter clockwise through campus on Saturday and Sunday every 10-15 minutes. There is no fare required for campus shuttles.

Accessibility Information

There are several parking options available for those with mobility or stamina impairments. The easiest and most direct option is to park in the designated disabled spaces in your commencement's parking lot and use the commencement shuttle service. If you use a wheelchair or motorized mobility device, or if ascending two steps in a shuttle vehicle is problematic for you, please request an accessible parking pass from your graduate's college. This will allow parking in the East Field House lot for commencements occurring on the East Field, and in designated lots for other commencement locations. You will then board a lift-equipped van to the ceremony site on the East or West Fields or other commencement site. When you arrive in the lot, look for a Disability Van Service (DVS) vehicle and indicate to the driver the need for this service. Should you arrive at the lot and not see a DVS van, tell a campus shuttle driver and they will dispatch one to the lot. As these vans can only carry a few people at a time, we suggest that those who need to ride these vans have one person from their party accompany them; the rest of their party can walk the short distance to the ceremony site. The East and West Fields are flat and grassy. If requested, students will be available with wheelchairs to assist guests to their seats.

If you use a wheelchair or motorized mobility device, or if ascending two steps in a shuttle vehicle is problematic for you, please request an accessible parking pass from your graduate's college. This will allow parking in the East Field House lot for commencements occurring on the East Field, and in designated lots for other commencement locations. You will then board a lift-equipped van to the ceremony site on the East or West Fields or other commencement site. When you arrive in the lot, look for a Disability Van Service (DVS) vehicle and indicate to the driver the need for this service. Should you arrive at the lot and not see a DVS van, tell a campus shuttle driver and they will dispatch one to the lot. As these vans can only carry a few people at a time, we suggest that those who need to ride these vans have one person from their party accompany them; the rest of their party can walk the short distance to the ceremony site.

The East and West Fields are flat and grassy. If requested, students will be available with wheelchairs to assist guests to their seats.

"No Pet" Policy

UCSC has a "no pet" policy that is strictly enforced. (Animals utilized for disability accommodation as defined by the Americans with Disabilitlies Act are allowed.) If you enter campus with a pet (non-service animal) you will be asked to exit campus and board your pet. There are several "pet hotels" in Santa Cruz County equipped to board your pets. Check local listings.

When You Leave

After you've attended commencement (and perhaps a related reception), take a campus shuttle or walk to your car. Please follow University Police and the parking lot attendant's directional hand signals as you leave the lot. Due to the large number of guests being directed on and off campus, you will only be allowed to travel in one direction. We appreciate your patience and thank you for making this orchestration safe for everyone.