Transportation Options

Parking on campus is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Because of limited campus parking, visitors are encouraged to carpool or use public transportation such as GoRaleigh and GoTriangle.

Rideshare at Carter-Finley Stadium

Drop-offs are only permitted in Bunn Field on the corner of Youth Center Drive and Trinity Road. Drop-offs are not permitted in guest lots for this event due to anticipated heavy traffic flow into guest parking lots.

Parking at Carter-Finley Stadium

There is no parking charge at Carter-Finley Stadium for University Commencement. There may be heavy traffic flow in and out of the stadium due to the ceremony, and travel should be planned accordingly. Please review the parking map and instructions below.

Parking and Seating Timeline

• 7 a.m. – Parking lots open (two hours before event)
• 8 a.m. – Stadium opens for guest seating (one hour before event)
• 9 a.m. – University Commencement ceremony processional begins

Carter-Finley Stadium Parking Map

For ease of reference, you may download the parking map for the Spring University Commencement Ceremony at Carter-Finley Stadium.

Accessible Parking

Students should request accessible parking space(s) for themselves or their guests through the University Commencement RSVP form, which is emailed directly to students who are eligible to attend each event. Physical parking passes will be issued to students after the RSVP deadline and must be displayed on vehicle dashboards upon arrival day of. Government-issued accessible parking placards will also be valid for entry to the accessible parking lot.

Those with accessible parking needs should enter through Gate C off Trinity Road.

Those with accessible parking needs should park in the Stadium West Lot at Carter-Finley Stadium.

Portions of this lot have gravel surfaces, but golf carts will be on site to transport guests from the lots to the stadium. From there, staff will have wheelchairs available to transport guests to and from their seats at the start and end of the event, but not to loan guests for the entirety of their time at the ceremony. Guests are also welcome to bring their own wheelchairs or mobility devices if they have them.

Student and Guest Parking

Students and guests should enter through Gate B off Trinity Road, Gate E off Edwards Mill Road, or Gate F on Westchase Boulevard.

Students and guests will be directed to park in the Stadium Southeast, IPF Lot, or Stadium East lots at Carter-Finley Stadium, as well as the 1000 – 6000 Lots at the Lenovo Center.

Students should then assemble in the Murphy Center Lot on the southeast side of the stadium, while guests enter the stadium gates for seating.

Doctoral Candidate and Faculty Parking

Doctoral candidates and faculty should enter through Gate D off Trinity Road onto Stephen Stroud Way. Physical parking passes will be issued after the RSVP deadline and must be displayed on vehicle dashboards upon arrival day of.

Doctoral candidates and faculty should park in the front of the 6000 Lot at the Lenovo Center.

Doctoral candidates and faculty should then descend the access ramp on the northwest side of the stadium and assemble in the loading area.

Volunteer and Staff Parking

Volunteers and staff should enter through Gate D off Trinity Road. Physical parking passes will be issued and must be displayed on vehicle dashboards upon arrival day of.

Volunteers and staff should park in the Arena South Lot at the Lenovo Center.

VIP Parking

Event VIPs should enter through Gate C off Trinity Road. Physical parking passes will be issued and must be displayed on vehicle dashboards upon arrival day of.

Event VIPs should park in the front right side of the Stadium West Lot at Carter-Finley Stadium when facing the venue.

Accessibility

NC State University is dedicated to providing accessible resources for our students, faculty, guests and other friends of the university. If you, your family or guests require any special resources or services for University Commencement, please view instructions and resources below. You can email our team accessibility questions about University Commencement at commencement@ncsu.edu. Questions regarding accessibility resources for college or departmental ceremonies should be directed to the appropriate department.

Closed Captioning

Live closed captioning will be available during the ceremony via mobile devices. To access mobile device captions, visit go.ncsu.edu/captions.

Guest Support and Seating

Designated ADA seating is available for guests and companions on the south concourse of Carter-Finley Stadium by the Murphy Center as outlined on the stadium seating map.

Guests with mobility concerns who do not require ADA seating may be seated on the top rows of the concourse level on the west and east side of the stadium to avoid stair use at the venue.

Guests should work with staff on site for appropriate seating instructions.

Student Support and Seating

Graduating students who require assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in University Commencement exercises at Carter-Finley Stadium should indicate their need in the RSVP form emailed directly to students who are eligible to attend each event or contact our team at commencement@ncsu.edu.

Students will enter the stadium through the south side and are able to avoid stair use if needed by using elevators in the Murphy Center at the direction of staff on site. Accessible seating can be arranged for students with need.