Dear Graduating Students,

We are just a few days away from celebrating the Class of 2024 and your remarkable achievements! Please take note of the detailed arrival information and security updates below.

The Unified Commencement ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 18, 6:30 p.m. at Yulman Stadium and will conclude by 8:30 p.m. (pending weather delays). At this special milestone ceremony, featuring an academic procession, live jazz, fireworks, and a keynote speech from Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Jon Meacham, President Michael A. Fitts will officially confer degrees upon all Tulane University degree candidates (undergraduate, graduate and professional). The ceremony will be ticketed for all participants and attendees (see below). Guest seating in Yulman Stadium is first come, first served. Glazer Family Club is not open to general seating. 

Tickets will be required for all graduates and attendees at Unified Commencement at Yulman Stadium. Only graduating students eligible to walk in the May 18 ceremony can request tickets for themselves and their guests via the link sent in the email titled "Important Commencement Update – Please Read" on May 7. If you did not receive this email, reach out to TUgrad@tulane.edu for more information.

Wristbands will be required for all graduating students to participate in school diploma ceremonies and Unified Commencement. Students must bring their Splash ID or government-issued ID to their diploma ceremony to receive their wristband. For students not attending school ceremonies, wristbands will also be issued at student lineup at Unified Commencement. A Splash ID or government-issued ID must be presented to receive a wristband.

 

This wristband will be the graduating students' credential to participate in commencement exercises, both at school ceremonies and Unified Commencement. Students will not be permitted on stages or in student lineup/seating areas without the university-issued wristband. Again, a wristband will not be issued without the student showing their Splash ID or government-issued ID confirming eligibility.

The following security measures apply to all students, faculty, staff, and guests participating in commencement events. As with home football games, all attendees and participants at Unified Commencement and school-based ceremonies will go through security and bag checks. Please arrive early to all events to allow adequate time.

 

Clear Bag Policy: The University's Clear Bag Policy will be in effect for Unified Commencement and all other school-based diploma and hooding ceremonies. Approved bags are as follows:

Prohibited bags include, but are not limited to, non-clear garment bags (clear plastic garment bags, such as those distributed at the dry cleaner, are permitted); briefcases; duffel bags; laptop bags; purses; backpacks (solid); fanny packs; mesh bags; patterned plastic bags; camera cases; hard or soft coolers; oversized totes; and reusable grocery bags.

 

Prohibited Items: The following items are not allowed into any commencement-related event or student line-up areas and will be confiscated: flags, banners, signs of any size or type; alcohol; artificial noisemakers (including drums, thunder sticks, or other instruments); any type of bag not permitted by the Clear Bag Policy; contraband; containers of any kind; bottles and cans; coolers; fireworks; flammables; footballs or throwing objects; glass; laser pointers; outside food and beverages (except one factory-sealed water bottle); projectiles; stadium seatback chairs with aluminum/metal; stickers; sticks; bats; poles; clubs; strollers (collapsible umbrella strollers that fit under guest’s seat are permitted); weapons (even with concealed weapons permit); drones; or any other item(s) deemed unacceptable by stadium security and Tulane University.

All graduates participating in the Unified Commencement Ceremony should arrive with their regalia in hand and proceed to their robing location (see locations below) starting at 4:30 p.m. and no later than 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 18 after passing through security. At 6 p.m. graduates will be lined up and by 6:10 p.m. they will begin moving from the designated check-in locations. Any graduate arriving late will not be guaranteed a spot in the lineup as part of the procession of graduates onto the field and may be inserted into the seating on the field after the procession has concluded.

See map for details.

See Yulman Stadium map below for reference regarding locations:

Tulane University strives to host inclusive and accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To be respectful of those with allergies and environmental sensitivities, we ask that you please refrain from wearing strong fragrances.

To request disability-related accommodations at any Commencement-related event, please complete and submit this form. To make this request by email, contact TUgrad@tulane.edu.

Due to excessive heat that is customary that time of year, water will be provided to graduates, and each guest will be allowed to bring one factory sealed water bottle into the stadium. There are several refill stations located around the stadium. Water will also be available for purchase.

Tulane University will provide reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act with sufficient notice.

By participating in commencement exercises, you agree to abide by the Code of Student Conduct and Freedom of Expression Philosophy and Protocols. Tulane University promotes and protects the free exchange of ideas. Freedom of expression includes the ability to engage or not to engage in the exchange, examination, and discussion of ideas or the choice not to engage. It does not include the right to disrupt the freedom of others. Therefore, we prohibit the physical or virtual disruption, shouting down, blocking, or suppressing of a protest, demonstration, program, or event. Disruptions of this nature will result in removal from the event. These include but are not limited to the following:

Please note all policies and guidelines above are subject to change.

Unified Commencement will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Yulman Stadium and will proceed rain or shine, unless severe weather (such as lightning, tornadoes, flooding, etc.) poses a significant threat or danger to the personal safety of graduates and attendees. In the event of severe weather, graduates and their guests should plan for two scenarios if the University's rain plan is initiated:

Severe Weather Delay: The start time of the Unified Commencement ceremony could be delayed by up to two hours for severe, rapidly moving weather events.

For school ceremonies on Friday in Yulman Stadium, a severe weather delay could occur in order to compensate for rapidly moving weather events.

Postponement: If necessary, the unified ceremony could be postponed to Sunday morning, weather-permitting.

If the University's rain plan is initiated, details about the changes will be communicated by:

In addition to the Unified Commencement ceremony, graduates are invited to the ceremony of the school awarding their degree. At these ceremonies, graduates' names are called to cross the stage individually. Please note that some schools have separate ceremonies for undergraduate and graduate degree candidates. For a full listing of these ceremonies and events, visit commencement.tulane.edu/schedule.

It can be warm and humid in New Orleans in May. Flexibility and practicality are key to a successful commencement weekend, and guests should plan their attire accordingly. While there is no set dress code, guest attire usually ranges from business casual to dressier options and is highly dependent on what other plans guests have for commencement day.

 

With in-person events in the outdoor Yulman Stadium, comfortable, breathable, lightweight fabrics and sensible footwear will be key to a successful commencement experience.

We appreciate everyone's cooperation in making Commencement for Tulane's Class of 2024 a celebratory, safe, and enjoyable experience for all.

 

We look forward to seeing you soon!

The 2024 Commencement Planning Committee

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