While the Parking and Transportation Services team always strives to keep traffic moving and parking disruptions to a minimum, WashU hosts a variety of events that can drive a high volume of traffic to the Danforth Campus. To minimize parking disruptions, the team recommends permit holders plan ahead or consider one of the many alternative transportation options available to the WashU community.
Spring 2020-2021 Commencement: May 20-21, May 30
Due to Covid-19 safety recommendations, May 2021 Commencement will look a little different this year. Instead of one large event, individual schools are holding private ceremonies for graduates and guests. For the full schedule, visit the WashU Commencement 2020-21 website.
In an effort to ensure social distancing, ceremony attendees will be assigned a designated parking area.
Zone 1:
- East End Garage – Attendees may park on Level P1.
Zone 2:
- DUC Garage – Attendees may park on Levels 1 or 2.
- Attendees using hotel shuttles, taxis and Uber or Lyfts will be picked up and dropped off at the designated location just south of Simon Hall via Olympian Way.
Zone 3:
- Snow Way Garage – Attendees may park on Levels 3 and 4.
- Millbrook Garage – Attendees will enter from the west and south sides of the garage and may park on Levels 4 and 5.
Please refer to the maps below for more information.
Zone 1 (via Forest Park Parkway) and Zone 3 Garages and Traffic Flow
Zone 1 (via Forsyth) and Zone 2 Garages and Traffic Flow
The WashU Danforth Campus and surrounding communities should expect a higher volume of traffic throughout the week of Spring Commencement. Because parking will be limited, please consider working from home (if permitted), taking the MetroLink, biking to campus, or using another form of alternative transportation.
If you need to park on the Danforth Campus during this time period, please be aware of the following changes to parking below.
Zone 1:
- East End Garage – Zone 1 permit holders are asked to enter an exit the garage via the Forest Park Parkway entrance and park on Level P2.
Zone 2:
- DUC Garage – Zone 2 permit holders will be asked to park on Level 3.
- Lots 31 (the surface lot just east of the AC), Lot 33 (the surface parking along Olympian Way) and Lot 35 (the surface lot just south of Simon Hall) will be taken offline in an effort to facilitate a smooth flow of drop-off/pick-up traffic.
- Lot 37 (the surface lot in front of Mallinckrodt) – will be taken offline during this time period to improve traffic flow for WashU shuttles.
Zone 3:
- Snow Way Garage – Zone 3 permit holders who park in the Snow Way Garage will be asked to utilize the Lower Level and Level 2. Level 1 of the garage will be taken offline to accommodate more seamless traffic flow.
- Millbrook Garage – Zone 3 permit holders who park in the Millbrook Garage will need to enter and exit the garage via the east entry and exit (via Throop from Hoyt). Faculty and staff may park on Levels 1, 2 and 3. NOTE: The ramp leading from 3W to Level 4 will be taken offline to allow for traffic flow.
Please refer to the maps below for more information.
Zone 1 (via Forest Park Parkway) and Zone 3 Garages and Traffic Flow
Zone 1 (via Forsyth) and Zone 2 Garages and Traffic Flow
Shuttles
The Parking and Transportation team will be providing two shuttles from the East End Garage and two shuttles from the Millbrook Garage between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., on May 20 and May 21. These shuttles will also be in service from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 30.
The East End Garage shuttles will pick up and drop off passengers at the north and south Campus Circulator stops inside the East End Garage (look for Circulator signage). The Millbrook Garage shuttles will pick up and drop off passengers across from Wrighton Hall and the green space located across from Knight Hall.