With commencement and the Arts and Sciences Recognition Ceremony just around the corner, we anticipate more than 20,000 guest will visit campus between Friday, May 10, and Monday, May 13. During this time, we expect significant impact to traffic and parking, particularly in Zones 1 -3 from May 10 to May 12 and Zones 1 – 4 on Monday, May 13.
For additional information about May Commencement, please visit the commencement website.
Visitors
Commencement starts promptly at 9:00 a.m. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to allow adequate travel time from campus parking areas to Francis Olympic Field. The field gates will open at 6:30 a.m.
Guests are strongly encouraged to take a hotel shuttle, taxi or rideshare service.
Shuttles, Uber, Lyft and taxi drivers may drop off guests in Simon Hall lot (168).
The lot may only be accessed via northbound Wallace off of Forsyth. To find this location, search for Simon Hall on our interactive map (D4 on the grid).
A secondary drop-off location will be directly in the designated pick-up/drop-off area on the south side of Mallinckrodt directly across from the bus plaza (150). To find this location, search for Mallinckrodt on our interactive map (F5 on the grid).
Visitors may park in university parking garages that include Snow Way (202), Millbrook (204), Shepley (203), Wallace (D8) and the East End (201).
Accessible parking is available to those displaying a state issued accessible placard or license plate in the Danforth University Center Garage (DUC)(200). Accessible parking in the DUC Garage may only be accessed via Forsyth Boulevard and northbound Wallace Drive.
For those needing to drop off guests with accessibility needs, please enter via Forsyth Boulevard and northbound Wallace Drive and follow the posted signage to the designated drop-off location.
More information may be found our Accessibility page.
MetroLink, the St. Louis light-rail system, is an alternative to driving and parking at the university. The Metro offers convenient access to both the Danforth and Medical campuses and allows guests to avoid traffic and parking congestion during the Commencement ceremonies.
More information regarding the St. Louis bus system may be found on the MetroLink website or the WashU Parking & Transportation Services page .
Commencement Shuttles
Dedicated Commencement shuttles will be circulating throughout campus on Monday, May 13. On Commencement Day, a QR code will be posted at each shuttle stop. Passengers will be able to scan the QR code while waiting for a shuttle to easily determine where the shuttle is along the route and how long they will need to wait.
- Services Millbrook Garage with three stops along Throop
- Services East End Garage with two stops within the garage
- Services Lot 33 (Olympian Way)
- Services Shepley Garage with a stop at the Clocktower
- Services Wallace Garage with a stop south of the garage
- Services Lot 33 (Olympian Way)
- Services West Campus at the eastern lower lot on Forsyth
- Services West Campus west building at Forsyth and Jackson
- Services the Mallinckrodt Bus Plaza
- Services Goldfarb stop
Metro bus will not enter campus until 2PM. Routes will be altered with stops along the perimeter of campus.
Faculty & Staff
On Monday, May 13, the entirety of main campus in conjunction with the South40 will be utilized for Commencement. Neighborhood shuttles will not be in service.
To alleviate parking challenges Friday, May 10 to Monday, May 13, we encourage employees to explore alternative transportation options such as carpooling, utilizing parking at West Campus or the Metro at West Campus. There will be a West Campus Shuttle (see Commencement Shuttles) available for transportation to Danforth Campus. Available spaces may not be tied to your designated zone, permit type, or preferred parking area.
Additional Information
- WashU Commencement Shuttles will be available in several locations (see Commencement Shuttles section above). There will be no inbound vehicle access through Olympian Way on Monday, May 13.
- Sumers Welcome Center circle drive will be closed from 6PM on Friday, May 10 to 7PM on Tuesday, May 14.
- Schnuck Pavillion circle drive will be closed from 6PM on Friday, May 10 to 7PM on Tuesday, May 14.
- Wydown Gate will be open only to Dining Services, Mail Services, or other South 40 deliveries supporting commencement.
Not able to park at West Campus?
We acknowledge that your participation in commencement may require you to park closer. While we encourage you to park at West Campus, below are options based on your approved zone in addition to accessible parking (*Must display a valid state issued accessible placard/license plate) information.
Permit Holders and those with Accessible parking needs can park in the lower level (P2) of the East End Garage. East End Garage will be accessible via Forsyth and Wrighton Way.
Permit Holders and those with Accessible parking needs may park in the DUC Garage. Access will only be available via Forsyth and Wallace Drive.
Permit Holders and those with Accessible parking needs may park in the Snow Way Garage on the lower level, level 1 and level 2.
Permit Holders and those with Accessible parking needs should park on the east side of the Shepley Garage roof and utilize the elevator in Gregg.