FAQs

There are different commencement activities for graduating students:

1. Separate Masses will be held on Friday, May 9, for each college. College of Law activities take place earlier in the week, with their mass being held on Thursday, May 7. 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 9 at 10 a.m. in the Smoothie King Center. The College of Law commencement will also take place on Saturday, May 9 in the Smoothie King Center at 5 p.m.

Other than the Senior Salute on Wednesday evening, May 6 (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 6 through Saturday, May 9.  Officers from the Loyola University Police Department will be on hand to direct traffic.

The Smoothie King Center is located in downtown New Orleans.  The physical address is 1501 Dave Dixon Drive, New Orleans, LA 70113.

Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees Ceremony Parking

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

The entrances for Garage #2, Garage #2A and Garage #5 are accessible via Dave Dixon Drive. The entrance for Champions Garage is via Dave Dixon 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 follow their directions.

College of Law Ceremony Parking

Parking for the College of Law commencement will be available in Caesars Superdome Garage #2 and Garage #5.

The entrances for both Garage #2 and Garage #5 are accessible via Dave Dixon 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

The accessible drop-off is located at the corner of Dave Dixon Drive and Lerouge Street. Accessible parking is available in Lot 3, which is accessible via Lerouge Street, across from the Smoothie King Box Office. Vehicles must have a handicapped hang tag or handicapped license plate for entry to the ADA lot. 

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.

The Smoothie King Center offers convenient rideshare drop-off and pick-up locations near the Stadium and Arena. The designated rideshare zone is located on Poydras Street, north of the campus, within a 5-minute walking distance. Click to view the Rideshare Map.

Pathway from the Rideshare Drop-Off

• Calling Your Rideshare: The rideshare zone is geo-fenced. All rideshare drop-offs must occur within this designated zone. You can only be dropped off at this location.
• From the Drop-Off: After being dropped off, proceed straight along Champions Square toward the arena campus.
• Follow Signs: Along the way, follow the clearly marked signs labeled "To the Stadium & Arena" for guidance to the Arena.

Pathway to the Rideshare Pickup

• From the Entrance: After the event, exit the building through the main entrances. Once outside, proceed straight along Champions Square
• Follow Signs: Follow the signs labeled "Rideshare Pickup" to navigate towards the designated area.
• Designated Pickup Area: The Pathway thru Champions Square will lead you to the rideshare pickup zone..
• Calling Your Rideshare: The rideshare pickup area is geo-fenced. You can only request a rideshare pickup once you arrive at the rideshare zone.

Tickets are not required for entry to the Loyola Commencement ceremonies at the Smoothie King Center, 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 Smoothie King Center is a CASHLESS facility. All purchases require a credit or debit card.

See the image and information below for the Smoothie King Center's bag policies and prohibited items.

Additionally, all bags are subject to a visual search, and the Smoothie King Center 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 9, will run from 10 a.m. until approximately 12:30 p.m.

Doors for the Law ceremony will open at 4 p.m. The College of Law ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, and will run approximately 90 minutes. 

When making restaurant reservations, please be sure to give yourself ample 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. following the Undergraduate/Graduate ceremony. 

General Guest Entrances

General guest entrances will be via the Northeast Ground entrance located on the ground level at the corner of Dave Dixon Drive and Lerouge Street, as well as on the entrances on the 100 level where the breezeway is located. The breezeway connects the Superdome campus and its garages to the Smoothie King campus. View ground entrance map.

General Seating

All seating for commencement guests will be concentrated in the 100 level of the Smoothie King Center. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please do not leave spaces between groups so that all guests can be accommodated comfortably in the available seats.

The Smoothie King Center is fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Accessibility Drop-Off and Pick-Up Location: The designated ADA drop-off and pick-up is located on the corner of Dave Dixon Drive and Le Rouge Lane. As a safety measure for larger arena events, access to the ADA pick-up may be temporarily restricted during peak egress times. The pick-up will reopen when it is safe to do so. During this time, a courtesy shuttle will run between South LaSalle and North LaSalle for guests opting to utilize rideshare services.

Accessible Seating: Commencement does not require tickets. Seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. ADA seating is designated for one ADA guest and their one companion. To ensure that adequate accommodations are available for all individuals who require them, we are unable to provide seating for entire families in the ADA sections. We kindly ask for everyone’s cooperation and understanding in respecting this important need.

Accessible Parking: ADA Parking for the Smoothie King Center is in Lot 3. To gain access to accessible parking, proper vehicle registration is required, as well as a current disabled placard with a matching identification card. Please note, all parking is cashless and $25 per vehicle.

Accessible Restrooms: Accessible stalls are provided in every restroom location, on all levels of the Smoothie King Center. Single-stall restrooms are available in the following locations:

Ground Level: East Lobby

100 Level: across from Section 108

ADA Facilitators: ADA Facilitators are positioned inside main entry gates to help assist patrons via wheelchair both to and from seating sections. Please note, ADA Facilitators do not transport to restrooms, concession stands, or outside our facilities due to safety and liability reasons.

Wheelchairs: It is recommended that if you need a wheelchair, please come with your own. Those who have difficulty walking long distances should consider bringing a wheelchair, rollator, or mobility scooter. The Smoothie King Center has a very limited supply of wheelchairs that can be loaned out on a first-come, first-served basis. A government-issued identification is required to check out a wheelchair. At the Smoothie King Center, guests can check in right inside the Northeast ground entrance. 

Undergraduate/Graduate Degree Candidates
Candidates for undergraduate and non-Law graduate degrees are to report, already robed, to the Smoothie King Center on Saturday, May 9 between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Undergraduate and graduate degree candidates should enter the Smoothie King Center through the Northwest GROUND Entrance. Please see a map of the Smoothie King Center ground entrances.

If driving, plan to park in Garage #5 as it is the garage closest to the entrance. The arena and the parking garages are cashless facilities. Parking is $25 per vehicle. Please note that there is a CLEAR BAG POLICY (your Loyola clear fanny pack is approved) and plan accordingly. There will be a security checkpoint prior to entering the Smoothie King Center.

College of Law 
College of Law candidates are to report, already robed, to the Smoothie King Center on Saturday, May 9 at 4 p.m. College of Law candidates should enter through the Northwest GROUND Entrance. Please see a map of the Smoothie King Center ground entrances. 

If driving, plan to park in Garage #5 as it is the garage closest to the entrance. The arena and the parking garages are cashless facilities. Parking is $25 per vehicle. Please note that there is a CLEAR BAG POLICY (your Loyola clear fanny pack is approved) and plan accordingly. There will be a security checkpoint prior to entering the Smoothie King Center.

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 8 at 5 p.m.

Graduating Seniors participating in commencement may request to stay until noon on Sunday, May 10.

To request to stay until noon on Sunday, May 10, or for an extension until Monday, May 11, residents can apply through the housing and dining portal using single sign-on.

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

Check 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. Non-disruptive photography is allowed during all Commencement events. 

Graduating students receive a diploma cover during commencement ceremonies. They can expect to receive their diploma by mail at their address of record over the summer. Graduating students who do not receive a diploma cover in person during a commencement ceremony will receive one by mail with their diploma.

Both Loyola University New Orleans and the Smoothie King Center 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 of the ceremony.

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