Office of the Registrar

Spring 2008 Ceremony Venue: Tacoma Dome Arena, 2727 East D Street, Tacoma, WA 98421

Driving Directions:

• Traveling North on I-5 (Exit 133):  Follow the off-ramp to East 26th Street.  Take a right off East 26th Street.  Tacoma Dome signs will direct you to turn right onto C Street to enter the Tacoma Dome parking lots.  (Note: Northbound I-5 Exit 133 exits near Tacoma Mall, well before the Tacoma Dome is visible.)
• Traveling South on I-5 (Exit 133):  Follow the "City Center" off-ramp, veering right toward East 26th Street. Turn right on Est 26th Street.  Look for the entrance to the Tacoma Dome parking or turn right for more parking.
• Traveling South on I-5 (Exit 135):  Follow the off-ramp toward Portland Avenue.  Follow 27th (Bay Street) across Portland Avenue as it turns into Wiley Avenue.  Take a right on McKinley Avenue and look for the entrance to the Tacoma Dome parking lots.
• Traveling Northbound on Pacific Avenue:  Take a right onto S 26th Street.  Follow S 26th Street.  Turn right onto C Street to enter the Tacoma Dome parking lots or continue into D Street to additional parking.
• From Downtown Tacoma:  Take Pacific Avenue Southbound.  Take a left on East 26th Street. Follow East 26th Street to C Street.  Turn right onto C Street to enter the Tacoma Dome parking lots.
  

Driving Time:  Given that Commencement is held on Memorial Day weekend it is recommended that graduates & guests allow ample time to get to the Tacoma Dome & park.  The Tacoma Dome is located just off Interstate-5 where congestion is frequent this time of year due to holiday travelers & summer construction projects.  Visit the Washington Department of Transportation website (click here) for current traffic conditions.

Parking:  There is no fee for parking in the Tacoma Dome parking lots for the PLU Commencement Ceremony.  The Tacoma Dome has 10 public parking lots with over 3,000 spaces.  Lots E & K are reserved for guests with disabilities & are van accessible.  All lots are wheelchair accessible.

Seating:  The Tacoma Dome Arena opens at 1:30pm for seating.  Seating is available on a first come first serve basis; there is no assigned seating.  Reserving seats is not permitted.  The Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall opens to Graduation Candidates at 1:30pm to form the Academic Processional.  Guests are not allowed in the Exhibition Hall.

The Tacoma Dome Arena is wheelchair accessible; ask a volunteer to locate open wheelchair seating.  One companion is permitted to sit with the wheelchair user.

Tickets:  Tickets are not required.  PLU encourages friends & family of graduation candidates to attend the Commencement Ceremony.

Commencement Protocol:  Commencement is a special event for all involved.  In order to create a memorable occasion for all guests & graduates please make sure all cellular phones & electronic devices are turned off during the ceremony.  In order to allow all guests the opportunity to see each graduate the audience is asked to remain seated during the ceremony.  No one is permitted on the arena floor during the ceremony.

Ceremony Photography:  For those graduates, families & friends looking to capture the momentous occasion of commencement, Photograds.com will be at the ceremony to photography each graduation candidate.  A candid photo will be taken as each candidates is individually congratulated & a ceremony portrait as they exit the stage.  This service is complimentary; there is no obligation to purchase.

Within days of the ceremony candidates will receive proofs of their photos via mail, as well as the option to view their proofs online.  Candidates may then choose from different packages or order individual photographs.  Orders may be placed online, by mail, by phone & by fax.  For more information call 1.866.572.0199 or visit www.photograds.com.

Webcast Viewing:  Commencement may also be viewed via live broadcast on the internet & made available on-demand via Lutecast.

Bookstore:  The Garfield Book Company will be open on Commencement Day.  In addition, the bookstore will be on site at the Tacoma Dome with PLU merchandise & graduation gift ideas for your convenience.  The bookstore is also available online at luteworld.plu.edu