Spring Commencement Parking Information (2026)

North Carolina Central University will host its Spring 2026 Commencement Exercises on Friday, May 8, 2026, and Saturday, May 9, 2026, awarding degrees to graduates of the university’s undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.

We expect high traffic volume and congestion in and around the NCCU campus. Expect parking to be extremely limited on-campus, and Friday parking will be especially difficult due to it being a workday.

To support traffic flow and guest parking during commencement, graduating students are strongly encouraged to park in student lots away from the Latham Parking Deck. This will allow visiting guests and families to primarily utilize the deck.

Graduating students are encouraged to use the following lots:

• Walker Complex Lot:  617 Nelson St.
• Upper/Lower Science Lot:  1900 Concord St.

Note:  If these parking lots reach capacity, graduating students may still utilize the Latham Parking Deck as well as any other non-reserved parking spaces in the additional lots listed below.

The Latham Parking Deck, located at 705 E. Lawson St., remains the largest and most available parking location for commencement. The deck may be accessed from Lawson and Lincoln Streets.  During commencement exercises, the gates at the Latham Parking Deck will remain open to allow for entry and exit. Hourly or per-entry parking fees will NOT apply during commencement.

In the event that the Latham Parking Deck reaches capacity, the following campus lots will also be open for parking during commencement exercises on a first-come, first-serve basis:

• A.E. Student Union Lot: 2115 Fayetteville St.
• Albert N. Whiting Criminal Justice Lot: 608 Nelson St.
  (Access via Lincoln St.)
• Latham Parking Deck and Surface Lot: 705 E. Lawson St.
  (Access via Lawson and Lincoln Streets)
• Miller-Morgan Health Sciences Lot: 535 Nelson St.
• NCCU Student Center Lot: 500 Nelson St.
  (Access via Nelson and Cecil Streets.)
• O’Kelly-Riddick Lot: 617 Nelson St.
• School of Education Lots: Corner of Cecil and Lincoln Streets

Please expect increased traffic and congestion on and around campus before and after each ceremony. Increased congestion may extend wait times when exiting campus lots, parking facilities, and surrounding campus areas. We ask that the NCCU community exercise patience when entering and exiting facilities and parking areas, follow posted signage, and comply with directions from law enforcement and parking personnel.

ADA parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis in the following designated areas:

• Second level of the Latham Parking Deck (closest to McDougald Arena)
• Lawson Street Suites Lot:  615 E. Lawson St.

A valid state-issued ADA/handicap placard or license plate is required to park in ADA spaces. Parking in ADA spaces, fire lanes, reserved spaces, and other restricted areas will continue to be enforced and violations may result in ticketing/towing at the owner’s expense.

For any questions or assistance, please contact the NCCU Parking Office at 919-530-5023.

All guests parking in other areas should abide by signage and posted information. Please note that vehicles parked in unapproved areas or university reserved spaces may be ticketed and/or towed.

NCCU strongly encourages all guests without designated parking passes to carpool and/or use ride-sharing services (e.g., Uber, Lyft) as much as possible. Doing so will help alleviate congestion and make parking more manageable for everyone.

Ride-share drop-off locations are: 

• The corner of Dupree and Lincoln streets
• Cecil Street (at the NCCU Student Center driveway, 517 Cecil St.)
• The corner of Lincoln and Martha streets (side entrance to H.M. Michaux Jr. School of Education)

For those who wish to ride public transit, GoDurham operates two routes that connect to the NCCU campus: routes 5, 8, and 700. There is no charge to ride GoDurham or any connecting transit company in the Greater Triangle region. (While GoDurham is free, GoTriangle charges people to ride.)

• Maps and Schedules: GoDurham (godurhamtransit.org) Route 5
• Maps and Schedules: GoDurham (godurhamtransit.org) Route 8
• Maps and Schedules: GoDurham (godurhamtransit.org) Route 700

City street parking is welcomed at Lincoln, Martha, Dupree and Merrick streets, or Formosa Pekoe avenues. Please do not block residential or business driveways to avoid ticketing or towing by the City of Durham Parking Enforcement.

Both ceremonies will stream live on the university’s website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel, as well as at select campus locations:

• NCCU Student Center (500 Nelson St.)
• Nursing Building Auditorium (1402 S. Alston Ave.)
• Miller-Morgan Health Sciences Building Auditorium (530 Nelson St.)
• H.M. Michaux Jr. School of Education Building Auditorium (700 Cecil St.)
• Albert L. Turner Law Building, Room 100 (640 Nelson St.)