FAQs

There are different commencement activities for graduating students:

1. Separate Masses will be held on Friday, May 9, for each college (except City College). College of Law activities take place earlier in the week. If you aren’t sure which college your student is graduating from, contact us at commencement@loyno.edu. These Masses are for undergraduate and graduate students from each college and their guests. 
2.  Most colleges will also host honors ceremonies and graduation receptions. Check the Important Dates section of the commencement website for the schedule.
3. The commencement for undergraduate and non-Law graduate students will be held Saturday, May 10 at 10 a.m. in Caesars Superdome. The College of Law commencement will also take place on Saturday, May 10 in Caesars Superdome at 5 p.m.

Other than the Senior Salute on Wednesday evening, May 7 (which is ticketed and only open to candidates for graduation), tickets are not required and there is no limit on how many guests may attend on-campus commencement events.

Parking in all on-campus parking lots will be free and open for commencement events Wednesday, May 7 through Saturday, May 10.  Officers from the Loyola University Police Department will be on hand to direct traffic.

Tickets are not required for entry to the Loyola Commencement ceremonies, at Caesars Superdome, and there is no limit on how many guests a candidate for graduation may have at commencement. Seating is first-come first-served.

Refreshments will be available for purchase. Note that the Superdome is a CASHLESS facility. All purchases require a credit or debit card.

Caesars Superdome is located in downtown New Orleans.  Physical Address: 1500 Sugar Bowl Drive, New Orleans, LA 70112

COMMENCEMENT PARKING 
Parking for commencement guests for the morning Undergraduate/Graduate ceremony will be available in Caesars Superdome Garage #2, Garage #5, and Garage #6.

The entrances for Garage #2 and Garage #5 are via Dave Dixon Drive. The entrance for Garage #6 is via Poydras Street/Sugar Bowl Drive. Click here for downloadable Superdome parking map.

The cost for parking is $25 per vehicle and is payable by credit card or debit card only as the Superdome is a CASHLESS facility.

New Orleans Police Department officers will provide traffic control.  Please following their directions.
 

LAW COMMENCEMENT PARKING

Parking for LAW commencement will be available in Caesars Superdome Garage #1A and #6.

The entrances for both Garage #1A and Garage #6 are accessible via Poydras Street/Sugar Bowl Drive. Click here for downloadable Superdome parking map.

The cost for parking is $25 per vehicle and is payable by credit card or debit card only as the Superdome is a CASHLESS facility.

ACCESSIBLE (ADA) DROP OFF AND PARKING FOR BOTH CEREMONIES
Accessible drop off is located in front of Gate A, Ground Level, on the Poydras Street side of the Superdome.

Accessible parking is available in the ADA East and ADA West lots, which are accessible via the Poydras Street side of the Superdome with entry into the Superdome via Gate A. Vehicles must have a handicapped hang tag or handicapped license plate for entry to the ADA lots. 

The cost for parking is $25 per vehicle and is payable by credit card or debit card only as the Superdome is a CASHLESS facility.

RIDESHARE DROP OFF LOCATION
Rideshare drop off will be located on Poydras Street.

See the image and information below for the Superdome's bag policies and prohibited items. 

Additionally, all bags are subject to a visual search, and the Superdome uses walk-through metal detectors for added safety and security.

Doors for the Undergraduate/Graduate ceremony will open at 8 a.m. The ceremony on Saturday, May 10, will run from 10 a.m. until approximately 12:30 p.m.

Doors for the Law ceremony are open at 4 p.m. The College of Law ceremony at 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 10 will run approximately 90 minutes. 

When making restaurant reservations, please be sure to give yourself enough time to meet your graduate, take photos, and travel to your chosen restaurant.  We recommend reservations be made for no earlier than 1:45 p.m.

Guest Entrances
General guest entrances will be via Gates A, B, and C on the Plaza Level.

Accessible Entrances and Seating
Wheelchair and limited-mobility seating is available on all levels of the Superdome.

Seating for commencement guests will be concentrated on the Plaza Level.  

If you require wheelchair or mobility-limited seating, please ask Superdome personnel for directions to the closest available accessible seating upon your arrival.

Superdome ADA Greeters will be on hand to assist at the Gate A Ground accessible entrance.

Please note that the Superdome is indeed "super" sized. Those who have difficulty walking long distances, should consider bringing a wheelchair, rollator, or mobility scooter.

If you require a wheelchair or other mobility device, we recommend that you bring one with you. Mobility devices are available for rental locally from Mobility City of Greater New Orleans.

Undergraduate/Graduate Degree Candidates
Candidates for undergraduate and non-Law graduate degrees are to report, already robed, to Caesars Superdome on Saturday, May 10 between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Entry for graduates is through Gate A, Ground, located on the Poydras Street side of the building.

College of Law 
College of Law candidates are to report, already robed, to Caesars Superdome on Saturday, May 10 at 4 p.m. Entry for graduates is through Gate A, Ground, located on the Poydras Street side of the building.

Discounted hotel rates are available online through our campus partner, Campus Travel.

A complete listing of area hotels is available on the New Orleans and Company website.

The move-out deadline for the Residence Halls is Friday, May 9 at 5 p.m.

Graduating Seniors participating in commencement may request to stay until noon on Sunday, May 11.

To request to stay until then or for an extension until Monday, May 12, residents must complete an extension form.

Commencement ceremonies and graduation Masses will be livestreamed on the Loyola YouTube page.

Check the schedule of events in the Important Dates section of the commencement website for specific dates and times. All times are Central Daylight Time.

The videos of the ceremonies will also be available for viewing following the livestreams on the Loyola YouTube page.

Certificate programs are not recognized at commencement.  Commencement ceremonies are for students receiving an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degree (including Juris Doctor) only.

Should there be any major changes to our commencement plans, in addition to posting the information on the website, we will alert candidates for graduation via their Loyola email as soon as possible.

Official Commencement photographers will be on hand to photograph candidates receiving their diploma covers. Photographs can be viewed and ordered 5 – 7 days after the event on the Candid Campus website. Photographs are allowed during all Commencement events. 

We always distribute diploma covers in May. Your diploma will be mailed to you at your address of record this summer. If you do not receive a diploma cover in person during a commencement ceremony, then a cover will be mailed to you with your diploma.

Both Loyola University and Caesars Superdome follow City of New Orleans public health guidelines. Currently, there are no COVID-related rules.  Please know that this is subject to change based on City of New Orleans and State of Louisiana mandates at the time.

While masks are not required, guests may, of course, wear a mask if they choose to do so.