Parking & Driving on Campus

We know that parking around campus is difficult, even at the best of times.  Considering the number of people who will be on campus for Commencement, plus the number of tourists who usually visit Williamsburg in May, traffic is likely to be heavy.  We strongly recommend that you allow extra time for driving and parking throughout the weekend, and that you walk as much as possible.

General Parking

Starting on the Friday of Commencement Weekend, visiting guests and family members may park in any space on campus marked Faculty/Staff, Resident Student, or Day Student.  Refer to the Commencement Planning page for maps and additional information about parking.

No parking is permitted at any time in the following areas:

• Fire lanes
• No Parking Zones
• Jones Hall lot (small Faculty/Staff lot behind Jones Hall)
• Handicapped spaces (without proper permits)
• "Reserved For" spaces
• Meters at the Muscarelle Museum
• "Official Vehicle" or Service/Vendor spaces
• Grass and sidewalks (unless directed by a parking officer)

Please remember that parking on off-campus streets (including Richmond Road) is controlled by the City of Williamsburg 7 days/week, 24 hours/day.  City street parking is enforced via color-coded decals. Do not park on streets that require resident decals. Visitors should pay attention to all campus and city signs related to parking restrictions.

Handicapped Parking

Vehicles with any state-issued handicapped license plate or placard may park in handicapped spaces. These spaces are in various campus parking lots and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Refer to the handicapped parking map  to locate areas with accessible parking. The College-issued Vehicle Access Pass does not grant permission to park in handicapped spaces.  (See the Disability Services section for information about the Vehicle Access Pass and other accommodations for guests with limited mobility.)

Road Closures

The road around William & Mary Hall will be blocked off and made one-way on Sunday in order to allow drivers to drop off guests at the handicapped ramp at the back of the building.  Only cars bearing a College-issued Vehicle Access Pass will be permitted to access this road.  (See the Disability Services section for instructions about how to obtain a Vehicle Access Pass.) 

The Senior Class Walk Across Campus will block traffic on Ukrop Way beginning around 11:15 a.m. on Sunday. Plan to arrive at William & Mary Hall no later than 11:15 a.m. to avoid delays.

Bus Service

The College and local community share a bus transit system with stops throughout Williamsburg and across campus.  Families might find this public transportation system convenient for getting around campus and town. For details of the routes, please visit the Williamsburg Area Transport website.

People occasionally ask if there is a shuttle service to transport guests from the main Commencement ceremony to the departmental ceremonies on Sunday.  Unfortunately, with nearly 30 separate ceremonies taking place across our largely pedestrian campus, a shuttle service would not efficiently meet the needs of guests who are leaving the main ceremony.  The Commencement Committee has scheduled enough time between the main ceremony and departmental events for faculty, graduates, and guests to make their way to the various sites.