Special Needs

The University of New Mexico Arena ("The Pit") is legendary for its "pit" style seating 37 feet below ground level, however, it does not allow for individuals using wheelchairs to easily access the Pit floor. The University of New Mexico wants to ensure that all guests and graduates safely share in the experience of the ceremony and have developed the following accommodations.

Guests

Please ask your graduate to request special assistance for you when he/she signs up to participate in the commencement ceremony. If required, we will mail to the graduate instructions, along with a special needs parking permit, which will allow you to park in a specially designated lot. This lot is conveniently located near the special needs seating area inside the arena.

Upon entering the arena, ushers (in red vests) will be available to provide assistance. You should proceed to Sections 26 and 27 on the northeast side of the main concourse level. There is no seating on the floor for guests. However, the stage is equipped with two 14-foot video screens, and television monitors are placed in the special needs seating area.  Sign language interpreters will be present, and they can be viewed on the video screen and television monitors.

Graduates

Graduates with special needs should request special assistance while signing up on our web site to participate in the commencement ceremony. They will be contacted a few weeks prior to the ceremony to make appropriate accommodations.