UA Commencement Security and Parking

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas Police Department is putting enhanced security measures into effect for the 2006 All-University Commencement ceremony Saturday, May 13, at Bud Walton Arena. These precautions are designed to help make graduation day as safe and convenient as possible. Everyone who plans to attend the ceremony should be aware of the security requirements in order to avoid inconvenience and delays at the arena entrance.

The arena doors will open at 7:30 a.m. The commencement ceremony itself starts at 8:45 a.m. Guests will enter the arena by the south entrance. Public safety officials have asked that guests leave all unessential items at home. Alcoholic beverages, bottles, cans, thermoses, containers, backpacks, laser pointers, outside food and drink, and noisemakers (bells, horns, whistles or other artificial noisemakers) will not be allowed in the arena.

Purses and camera cases will be inspected by the ushers, and all bags are subject to search at any time in and around the arena.

Graduate students will enter Walton Arena through the truck tunnel; faculty and undergraduates will enter by the press entrance near the south entrances. No one in robes will be allowed through the main (south) entrance: they must enter at their designated entrances.

In addition to the commencement events on May 13, the University of Arkansas is also hosting the Southeastern Conference Outdoor Track Championship. This is expected to create an extra demand for parking in the area of Razorback Road.

Parking will be available in lots 56, 44, 72, 73, 73A and the Stadium Drive Parking Facility.

It is recommended that people attending commencement events at Bud Walton Arena park in lot 56.

For events later in the day at Barnhill Arena or the Arkansas Union, recommended parking is in lot 44 and the Stadium Drive Parking Facility.

For those attending the SEC Track Championship parking is available in lots 72, 73, and 73A.

For maps of the parking areas for both events go to http://www.uark.edu and follow the link labeled "Commencement Parking Information for Family and Friends" on the upper right hand side of the page, just above "Top Stories from Daily Headlines."