Street closures and parking restrictions for Convocation
MAY 22, 2023
The University of Chicago will hold its 537th Convocation on Saturday, June 3, 2023. Convocation will take place on the Main Quadrangle at the University of Chicago campus beginning at 7 a.m., however in the lead up to the ceremony there will be several road closures and parking restrictions on the University of Chicago's campus.
South University Avenue will be closed from Saturday, May 27 through Monday, May 29 due to activities related to preparation for Convocation.
Several parking restrictions will also take effect in the area around the University of Chicago's campus beginning on Saturday, May 27 lasting until Wednesday, June 7:
- Saturday, May 27 — Wednesday, June 7
- South University Avenue from East 57th Street to East 59th Street
- Saturday, May 27 — Monday, June 5
- East 56th Street from South Cottage Grove Avenue to South Ellis Avenue
- The first 100 feet on the north side of South Ellis Avenue from East 56th Street
- Tuesday, May 30 — Wednesday, June 7
- East 59th Street from South Ellis Avenue to 860 E. 59th Street
- Wednesday, May 31 — Wednesday, June 7
- The 1100 block of North Midway Plaisance
- East 59th Street from South Woodlawn Avenue to South Kimbark Avenue
- North Midway Plaisance from South Kenwood Avenue to South Dorchester Avenue
- Thursday, June 1 — Sunday, June 4
- South Ellis Avenue from East 57th Street to East 59th Street
In addition to the street closures and parking restrictions mentioned above, there will be further street closures and parking restrictions on Convocation weekend beginning Friday, June 2.
Public transportation via the CTA 171 and 172 bus routes will be rerouted from 7 a.m. to noon and will have suspended service from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 3.
UGo Shuttles will NOT be affected by any street closures on Convocation weekend.
For more information, including several FAQs, you can visit the University of Chicago's Convocation website.
A detailed breakdown of street closures and parking restrictions for Convocation weekend can be found below.
Parking restrictions:
- East 56th Street from Cottage Grove Avenue through South Ellis Avenue
- East 57th Street from South Ellis Avenue to South University Avenue
- East 59th Street from South Maryland Avenue to South Blackstone Avenue
- South Drexel Avenue from East 56th Street through East 57th Street
- The west side of South Ellis Avenue from East 56th Street
- South Ellis Avenue from East 57th Street to Midway Plaisance North
- South University Avenue from East 57th Street to East 59th Street
- South Woodlawn Avenue from East 59th Street to Midway Plaisance North
- The north side of Midway Plaisance North from South Dorchester Avenue to South Kenwood Avenue
- The south side of Midway Plaisance North between South Ellis Avenue and South Woodlawn Avenue
Road closures:
- South Ellis Avenue from East 57th Street to East 59th Street
- South University Avenue from East 57th Street to East 59th Street
- The sidewalk outside of the Reynolds Club at 1131 E. 57th Street will be closed for the marquee set up
Parking options at campus and medical center lots will remain the same on Friday, June 2.
Public transportation via the CTA 171 and 172 bus routes will also be unaffected.
Parking restrictions:
- A majority of the University-operated parking lots and garages will be reserved for use by Convocation guests. The parking garage at the corner of East 57th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue will be reserved exclusively for medical center guests.
- East 56th Street from Cottage Grove Avenue to South Ellis Avenue
- East 57th Street from South Ellis Avenue to South University Avenue
- East 59th Street from South Maryland Avenue to South Blackstone Avenue
- The west side of South Ellis Avenue from East 56th Street
- South Ellis Avenue from East 57th Street to Midway Plaisance South
- South University Avenue from East 57th Street to East 59th Street
- South Woodlawn Avenue from East 59th Street to Midway Plaisance South
- South Dorchester Avenue from East 59th Street to Midway Plaisance South
- Midway Plaisance North from South Cottage Grove Avenue to South Stony Island Avenue
Road closures:
- From 12 a.m. until no later than 7 p.m., the following roads will be closed to traffic:
- South Ellis Avenue from East 57th Street to Midway Plaisance North
- South University Avenue from East 57th Street to East 59th Street
- From 7 a.m. until no later than 7 p.m., the following roads will be closed to traffic:
- South Drexel Avenue from East 56th Street to East 57th Street
- South Woodlawn Avenue from East 59th Street to Midway Plaisance North
- South Dorchester Avenue from East 59th Street to Midway Plaisance North
- East 56th Street from South Drexel Avenue to South Ellis Avenue
- East 59th Street from South Maryland Avenue to South Blackstone Avenue
- Midway Plaisance North from South Cottage Grove Avenue to South Stony Island Avenue
Public transportation via the CTA 171 and 172 will be rerouted from 7 a.m. to noon and service will be suspended from noon to 5 p.m. Regular service will resume after 5 p.m. The Metra Electric Line will continue to run without any changes.
UGo Shuttles will NOT be affected by any street closures.
Parking restrictions:
- East 56th Street from Cottage Grove Avenue to South Ellis Avenue
- The south side of East 59th Street from South Kimbark Avenue to South Woodlawn Avenue
- The south side of East 59th Street from South Ellis Avenue to South Ingleside Avenue
- The south side of Midway Plaisance North from South University Avenue
- The north side of Midway Plaisance North from South Dorchester Avenue to South Kenwood Avenue
- South Ellis Avenue from East 57th Street to East 59th Street
- South University Avenue from East 57th Street to East 59th Street
Road closures:
- From 7 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., South University Avenue will be closed from East 57th Street to East 59th Street
Public transportation via the CTA 171 and 172 bus routes will not be affected.