Accessibility and Accommodations
The graduate school is pleased to offer accessibility accommodations for graduates, guests, and faculty.
The deadline to request guest accommodations is Friday, May 23, 2025.
This page covers guest accommodations only. Graduates and faculty requesting accessibility accommodations, please email gradcommence@lclark.edu no later than Friday, May 2, 2025.
Seating Reservations: Mobility Needs
The deadline to request guest accommodations is Friday, May 23, 2025.
Request Mobility Accommodations
General admission (non-reserved bleacher and floor seating) remain available on first come, first served, basis. No tickets or reservations are required for the general admission section. Many of these seats are accessible with few to no steps to climb. An early arrival is encouraged if specific seats are desired.
Seating Reservations: ASL Interpretation
The deadline to request guest ASL accommodations is Friday, May 23, 2025.
A limited number of seats will be reserved and available on a first come, first served, basis at the ceremony for guests who would like to utilize the ASL interpretation but have not made reservations. Please see an accessibility usher to be directed to these seats. Additional seats in the general admission section will offer a sightline to the interpreters as well.
Accessible Guest Drop-off for Ceremony
Arrive Early
On the day of the commencement ceremony, drivers may enter Lewis & Clark at Gate 3 to drop off guest(s) who have requested mobility accommodations and proceed to park the vehicle. Arrival no later than 9:30 AM PDT is highly encouraged.
Reservations Are Required
In order to be granted access at Gate 3, you must have submitted a mobility request in advance of the ceremony or be in possession of a state-issued disabled person parking permit. The last day to submit mobility requests is Friday, May 23. If this date has passed, please email the graduate school’s accessibility coordinator, Kimberly Bernick, at kbernick@lclark.edu as soon as possible. Requests made after the late deadline will be accommodated if possible.
Important Note About Parking
Parking at the ADA guest drop-off location in Pamplin lot F is extremely limited and available on a first come, first served, basis. We cannot guarantee availability in this location. If possible, guests who plan to use the accessible drop-off location should arrange to have a driver drop them off and then proceed to park the car. Reserved parking for guests and drivers of guests who have requested mobility accommodations is available nearby in Upper Griswold (lot C). An ADA accessible shuttle will be available to bring guests from the ADA reserved parking to the front doors of the ceremony in Pamplin Sports Center. Please download the GSEC Commencement Accessibility Map (PDF) for additional details regarding the location of key events.
GSEC Commencement Accessibility Map (PDF)
Guest Drop-Off Instructions
- Enter the campus at Gate #3.
- Show the campus safety officer inside Gate 3 your L&C GSEC Accessible Parking Permit or a state-issued disabled person parking permit. Guests who have requested mobility accommodations will be emailed a L&C GSEC Accessible Parking Permit prior to the ceremony.
- The campus safety officer will direct the driver to the passenger drop-off area in the Lower Pamplin parking lot.
- Look for the signs that read: “Special Needs Passenger Drop-off.”
- After dropping off their passengers, drivers will be directed to available parking in the east section of Upper Griswold parking lot.
Guests will be greeted by an accessibility usher who will direct them to the elevator and into the ceremony. Chairs will be available if guests would like to wait for their driver to return in order to proceed to the ceremony together.
Accessible Guest Pick-up and Drop-off for After-Reception
Following the commencement ceremony, guests who have requested mobility accommodations may either catch the shuttle in front of Pamplin Gym to the after-reception on the Graduate Campus or be picked up by their driver.
- GSEC Commencement Accessibility Map
- Guests being picked up by their driver will return to the Lower Pamplin parking lot where they originally entered Pamplin Gym.
- Their driver will exit the Upper Griswold parking lot and return to Lower Pamplin by exiting Gate 2 and entering Gate 3 off of S. Palatine Hill Road.
- After the guest is picked up, return to S. Palatine Hill Road and continue to Gate 7.
- Show the campus safety officer at Gate 7 either a state-issued disabled person parking permit or your L&C GSEC Commencement Accessible Parking Permit.
- You will be directed to park in the West Parking Loop on the Graduate Campus. (The after-reception with complimentary food trucks will be located in the Staff parking lot at this location.)
- The after-reception ends at 1:30 p.m. PDT; shuttle service ends at 2:00 p.m. PDT.
Service Animals
Service animals are welcome at the ceremony and reception. See Lewis & Clark’s Service and Assistance Animal Policy for additional information.