FAQs

Loyola University and UNO follow City of New Orleans public health guidelines. There are currently no COVID-related rules for guests visiting campus or attending commencement at the UNO Lakefront Arena.  Please know that this is subject to change based on City of New Orleans and State of Louisiana mandates at the time of commencement.

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

There is currently no limit on how many guests may attend on-campus commencement events.

For the Masses, candidates for graduation are encouraged to wear their cap and gown ONLY. Stoles, cords, medals, etc. are worn only at the commencement ceremony itself.

Graduating students will receive instructions regarding their Graduation Mass via their Loyola email account.

There are different commencement activities for graduating students:

1. Separate Masses will be held on Friday, May 12, for each 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 graduation receptions.  Check the Important Dates section of the commencement website for the schedule.
3. The College of Law commencement will take place on Friday, May 12 at 6 p.m. in the UNO Lakefront Arena.  The commencement for undergraduate and non-Law graduate students will be held Saturday, May 13 at 10 a.m. in the UNO Lakefront Arena. See the schedule on the commencement homepage.

Parking in all on-campus parking lots will be free and open for commencement events Thursday, May 11 through Saturday, May 13.  Officers from the Loyola University Police Department will be on hand to direct traffic.

The College of Law ceremony will run approximately 90 minutes. The Undergraduate/Graduate commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 13 will last at least two hours.

When making restaurant reservations, please be sure to give yourself enough time to meet your graduate, take photos, exit the Arena and the parking lot and make your way from the New Orleans lakefront to your chosen establishment. We recommend avoiding reservations before 1:00 p.m.

Please visit the tickets section of the Commencement webpage for detailed information regarding tickets.

The UNO Lakefront Arena is located at 6801 Franklin Ave., New Orleans, LA 70122.

Parking at the UNO Lakefront Arena is in surface lots and is free.

Please enter the facility via Franklin Avenue.

Both Loyola University and the University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena follow City of New Orleans public health guidelines. Currently, there are no COVID-related rules for entry to the UNO Lakefront Arena.  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.

Commencement ceremonies 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.

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. Additionally, several fun "Photo Spots" will be set up on campus all weekend for snapping sensational selfies.

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.

Should there be any major changes to our commencement plans, we will alert graduates via email as quickly as possible.

Yes. Discounted car rental rates are available for candidates for graduation and their guests during Commencement Week (May 8 - 14, 2023) from Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Renters must be 21 years of age or older and utilize the Loyola Leisure Code: XZ78990 when making online reservations or booking in person.