Penn State student commencement, move-out slated for this week. Parking, route changes to know
Penn State students are finishing up the spring semester this week, meaning move-out and commencement will create greater traffic congestion through Sunday evening.
As a result, Penn State is making a number of short-term parking changes — and a few tweaks to on-campus routes — to better accommodate this week’s influx of visitors. More information and interactive maps can be found at commencement.psu.edu.
Here’s what you should know:
Route/road changes
Part of Curtin Road to be closed throughout much of weekend: Curtin Road, between between University Drive and the entrance to Jordan East, will be closed throughout most of the Friday-Sunday commencement ceremonies to allow for safe pedestrian access. Commencement ceremonies start 4:30 p.m. Friday, with the last one slated for 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
Fraser Road (not Fraser Street) to be restricted: The on-campus Fraser Road, which intersects Pollock Road near the West Residence Halls, will be restricted to northbound traffic only through Sunday due to move-out. The vertical posts, or bollards, that usually force traffic to do a U-turn to exit will be removed to allow exit to Curtin Road.
Burrowes Road, between Pollock and Curtin roads, should be avoided (if possible): Vehicle loading of departing students will be allowed on the east side of Burrowes Road, between Pollock and Curtin roads, but two-way traffic will still be maintained. Because of that, Penn State is asking drivers to avoid the area, if possible.
No CATA or campus shuttle service on Burrowes Road: Because of expected heavy traffic and students moving out, there will be no CATA or campus shuttle service at CATA stops on Burrowes involving Deike Building, Waring Commons, Rec Hall, Westgate Building and Elliott Building. (Impacted routes include Red Link, Green Link, HM, HU, K and P.)
Recommendation if you’re heading Saturday to Eisenhower Auditorium: Because heavy traffic is expected on the east side of campus all day Saturday, those headed to the commencement ceremonies at Eisenhower are urged to avoid the Park Avenue exits from Routes 220 and 322, in addition to University Drive. Drivers are instead told to use the Route 322 Business exits at the south and north ends of Atherton Street. From Atherton, drivers should approach Eisenhower from the west side of campus, using Park Avenue or Curtin Road to reach Shortlidge Road or Bigler Road, where vehicles can then travel south to Eisenhower Road to reach to the auditorium.
Parking changes for moving out
Lots available to students moving out: All student parking lots will allow 20-minute loading with vehicle four-ways on. In addition, the following faculty/staff lots will be available to students through Saturday: Brown E, Green C, Green N, Orange B (Softball), Yellow J and Yellow T. Permit holders in those lots must park at alternate areas from now until 4 p.m. Sunday. (Permit holders in Brown E and Green C must park at Green B; Green N must move to Green B or Yellow D; Orange B must switch to other Orange lots, Jordan East, Stadium West or Porter North; and Yellow J and T must move to Eisenhower Deck, Jordan East or Stadium West.) University vehicles, those with individually reserved spaces and those with ADA placards or plates can continue to park in their assigned lots.
Ground level of East Parking Deck reserved for students: Through Saturday, the ground level of the East Deck will be reserved for student departure vehicle loading only.
Parking guide for commencement
General parking for commencement ceremonies at the Bryce Jordan Center: Free parking will be available at the following three areas for ceremonies at the BJC: Jordan East, 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; and Porter North, located north of Medlar Field at Lubrano Park and accessible from Porter Road (via Park Avenue or College Avenue). Ceremonies at the BJC will take place 8 p.m. Friday (College of Engineering), 9 a.m. Saturday (Smeal College of Business), 1 p.m. Saturday (College of Communications), 4:30 p.m. Saturday (College of the Liberal Arts), 9 a.m. Sunday (College of Health and Human Development), 1 p.m. Sunday (Eberly College of Science) and 4:30 p.m. Sunday (The Graduate School).
ADA parking for commencement ceremonies at the Bryce Jordan Center: ADA parking will available at the Jordan East and Stadium West areas. Specifically, it will be available at the following three spots: the northwest corner of Jordan East near Gate B of the BJC (accessible from the intersection of Porter Road and Curtin Road); Section of Lot Orange L located between the BJC and Jordan East (accessible from Dauer Drive via University Drive); and hte southwest corner of Stadium West near the University Drive/Curtin Road intersection (accessible only from Park Avenue).
General parking for commencement ceremonies at Pegula Ice Arena: Free parking will differ slightly between Friday and Saturday/Sunday. On Friday, parking will be available at the following three areas for ceremonies at Pegula: Jordan East, 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; and the East Parking Deck, located on Bigler Road near East Halls. On Saturday/Sunday, attendees are encouraged to only park at the East Parking Deck. Ceremonies at Pegula will take place 4:30 p.m. Friday (Schreyer), 9 a.m. Saturday (College of Information Sciences and Technology), 1 p.m. Saturday (College of Earth and Mineral Sciences), 9 a.m. Sunday (College of Education) and 1 p.m. Sunday (College of Agricultural Sciences).
ADA parking for commencement ceremonies at Pegula Ice Arena: ADA parking will available at the section of Lot Yellow H at Shields Building, which is located on Curtin Road just north of Pegula.
General/ADA parking for commencement ceremonies at Eisenhower Auditorium: Free general and ADA parking will be available at the Eisenhower Parking Deck, which is adjacent to the auditorium on Eisenhower Road. General and ADA parking will be available on each level of the deck, with elevator access in the south corner. Ceremonies at Eisenhower will take place 1 p.m. Saturday (College of Arts and Architecture) and 4:30 p.m. Saturday (College of Nursing).
