Planning Information for Families & Guests
We look forward to welcoming family and friends to CMU's campus for commencement, May 12-14, 2023. Visit the schedule page to review the weekend schedule.
- Commencement Welcome Area
- Seating Map
- Travel, Transportation & Parking
- Accessibility Accommodations
- Wi-Fi Access
- International Travel
Commencement Welcome Area
Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sunday, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Wean Commons, First Floor, Cohon University Center
Upon your arrival at CMU, stop by the Commencement Welcome Area to speak with staff, answer your questions and find all the information you need to help make your visit to the university and Pittsburgh a pleasant one.
Seating Map
Download the seating map to easily find and locate your seating location and other key locations in Gesling Stadium.
Travel, Transportation & Parking
Travel & Transportation to CMU
CMU is located in the Oakland are of Pittsburgh, 22 miles from the Pittsburgh International Airport. The street address of the university is 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
- Shuttle service is available between the airport, downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland. Visit www.supershuttle.com.
- Bus service (28X Airport Flyer) runs between the airport, downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland. Visit www.rideprt.org or call 412-442-2000.
- Rental cars, taxis and app-based car services are available at the airport.
Parking
On Friday, May 12, parking is available in the East Campus Garage (regular parking rates will apply).
On Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14:
- East Campus Garage
- Morewood Lot
- Collaborative Innovation Center (CIC) Garage
- Gates Garage
- Dithridge/Software Engineering Institute Garage
- South of Neville Lot
On-street metered parking is also available on Margaret Morrison (Saturday only), Frew and Tech Streets. Spaces are monitored by city police, except on Sundays. Violations may be ticketed.
Accessibility Accommodations
Accessible Seating
During the main commencement ceremony at Gesling Stadium, we will provide accessible seating options for graduates and guests on the field surface.
If you have family members who may have difficulty navigating the bleachers, we offer a limited number of seats on the field (up to four seats per family). Additional family members may sit in the bleachers. We must limit the number of on-field guests to ensure that there is space available for all who need it.
You do not need to contact us ahead of time to utilize accessible seating.
Sign Language Interpreters and Closed Captioning
Sign language interpreters will be stationed in the on-field seating area. Guests who will rely on the interpreters should plan to sit on the field.
Closed captioning will be projected onto the screens throughout the ceremony.
Simulcast Locations
The main commencement ceremony will take place outdoors in Gesling Stadium, rain or shine. The stadium is not covered, and there is no shade.
If you, or a family member, cannot be the direct sunlight or heat for long periods of time, we encourage you to watch the ceremony from on of our indoor simulcast locations in the Cohon University Center:
- McConomy Auditorium, first floor
- Studio Theater, first floor
- Kirr Commons, first floor
- Au Bon Pain, second floor
No prior arrangements are necessary. Seating is first come, first served.
Wheelchairs
If you would like to rent a wheelchair for the weekend and/or have one delivered to your home or hotel, we recommend contacting McKnight Medical Equipment at 412-820-0448.
A limited number of wheelchairs will be available to rent while on campus on a first come, first served basis. Visit the Athletics Information Desk on the first floor of the Cohon University Center to pick up a wheelchair.
Athletics Information Desk times:
- Saturday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Sunday: 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Wheelchair-Accessible Shuttle
- Sunday: 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
At the conclusion of the main commencement ceremony, a wheelchair-accessible shuttle will be available to transport special needs guests to and from off-campus diploma ceremonies and to more distant campus locations, as needed.
The pick-up location is the service courtyard of the Cohon Center, near the East Campus Garage.
Accessible Parking
Accessible parking is available in all campus lots. You do not need to reserve accessible parking ahead of time.
Wireless Access
You may access the Carnegie Mellon wireless network throughout the weekend.
- Select the CMU-GUEST wireless network
- Log in with a valid, non-CMU email address
- Enter the code GXM3LBZ2
International Travel
Please be sure to review the website of the U.S. Embassy nearest to you to get current information and visa requirements.
Applying for a B-2 tourist visa? Review this document for helpful information.
Additional supporting evidence for international guests may be needed. These may be in the form of:
- An Enrollment Verification Letter, which may be requested through Student Information Online (login required)
- A print out from the commencement website
These documents can be used to convey to the U.S. consular office the need for a timely visa decision.