ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University's Police Department has announced that parking restrictions will begin Wednesday, June 5 in preparation for the weekend's graduate and undergraduate commencements.

About 13,000 people are expected to attend each of the two undergraduate ceremonies Saturday, June 8, at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. in the Convocation Center.

The parking space underneath the Convocation Center is used for assembling graduates before the ceremonies. Ohio University students who normally park under the Convo will be asked to move their cars to Peden Stadium lots (132, 133, 134), the lots across from Nelson Commons (79, 93) or lots 51 and 52 near South Green. Maps are available at Campus Safety, 135 Scott Quad. Cars must be moved by 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 5. Convo permit holders should continue to display their parking permit.

University staff who regularly park underneath the Convo will have until 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 5, to relocate to other campus parking areas that coincide with the color of their parking hang tags.

Two other parking areas near the Convo service entrance off of Shafer Street must be cleared of vehicles by 5 p.m. Thursday, June 6. These include campus lots 127 and 128, the parking area at the southwest corner of South Shafer Street and Richland Avenue, and parking spaces located in the inner ring of the Convo from the service entrance to the ramp leading to the athletic pass gate.

The south and west half of parking lots around the Convo will be used Friday and Saturday for handicapped parking.

University Police and parking lot attendants will assist guests in finding parking spots at both commencements.

Anyone with questions about commencement parking details can contact the Ohio University Police Department at (740) 593-1911.