Parking
Use the visitor parking map (pdf) or virtual campus map for directions to all lots below. Parking is free on campus in all visitor lots.
- If entering campus from Burton Street or the East Beltline, use Lots 1–5.
- If entering from Lake Drive, use Lot 8.
- Lot 6 will be reserved for those with accessibility needs and handicapped parking tags.
- The south circle drive will be open for drop-offs.
- Overflow parking will be available at the Prince Conference Center (Lots 14-16) or in Lot 13.
Please leave time to walk from your parking location to the Fieldhouse. While we have enough parking to accommodate all guests, we recommend you plan for 15 minutes to navigate busy lots and walk to the arena.
- Please park in Lots 9–10. There are several spaces by the north and south entrances reserved for handicapped parking.
- You may also park by the Prince Conference Center and take Calvin's Crossing over to the CFAC.
- Please park in the Prince Center lot (Lots 15–16) and walk from there in order to provide enough parking spaces for all our guests.
Seating
Doors will open one hour prior to the start of the ceremony, at 1 p.m. EST.
All seating is general admission. Seats in the upper bowl have backs; seats in the lower bowl are bleachers.
Graduates should request accessible seating for their guests on their ticket order form (Commencement checklist). All other accommodation requests should be made by April 15, 2026 to commencement@calvin.edu.
Accessible Seating Details by Venue
Van Noord Arena
- includes steep stairs and longer walking distances.
- Reserved seats are located in the lower three rows of the upper bowl for guests with mobility needs that require limited stairs. Wheelchair accessible seats are available for a guest and one companion. Other family members will be seated in general admission areas.
- At ticket pick-up, graduates will receive pink tickets with specific instructions for locating these seats.
Covenant Fine Arts Center (CFAC) and Recital Hall
- For guests who may need softer seating, fewer stairs or shorter walking distances this venue may be preferred.
- Accessible seating will be assigned in advance for guests who request it.
- In addition to the main auditorium, the Recital Hall will also be open to accommodate guests who need limited stairs and easier access.
If you have questions or are unsure which option is best for your family, please contact us at commencement@calvin.edu. We are happy to help you plan for a comfortable Commencement experience.
Accomodations
The Covenant Fine Arts Center has a Loop hearing aid audio system available. The arena has limited Loop audio available only in the upper bowl on the west end (the end near the main lobby) in sections 209–215.
Closed captioning will be available on the live video feed and on the screens in the arena.
The sign language interpreter will be on the SE upper corner of the arena—the right side as you are facing the stage, near section 204.
A limited number of large-print programs will be available at the information desks in the Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex and the Covenant Fine Arts Center's west lobby.
A limited number of wheelchairs will be available for the Commencement ceremony and the Commencement reception upon request at the information desk in the Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex.