Schedule of Events
Thursday, May 16, 2024
3:00pm
Graduate Hooding and Recognition Ceremony
Location - Avron B. Fogelman Arena in Devlin Fieldhouse
*This ceremony celebrates students who have achieved PhD or master's level degrees in the Schools of Liberal Arts, Science and Engineering, and Medicine Biomedical Sciences.
Graduate Student Information
Friday, May 17, 2024
2:00 p.m. (adjusted from 6:30 p.m. due to expected severe weather)
School of Liberal Arts Diploma Ceremony
Yulman Stadium
* Barney Mintz Field will open at 12:30pm. Students should arrive no later than 12:45pm. Students will enter between the Turchin Stadium and the Wilson Athletic Center (2950 Ben Weiner Dr).
* For all other information, please read ALL notes below regarding wristbands and restrictions.
Saturday, May 18, 2024
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Tulane University Unified Commencement Ceremony
Yulman Stadium
Full Schedule of all Commencement Events
Event Details
Liberal Arts Undergraduate Diploma Ceremony
FOR STUDENTS
Wristbands will be required for all graduating students to participate in school ceremonies and Unified Commencement. Students must bring their Splash ID or government-issued ID to the ceremony check-in to receive their wristband. Handheld umbrellas, including graduating students' second line umbrellas, are permitted and will be inspected upon arrival. Flags, banners, signs of any size or type are prohibited and will be confiscated. A full list of prohibited items is available in the FAQ section below.
Students should arrive robed, wearing your Tulane University-purchased cap and gown*. Bags will not be allowed on Mintz Field, so students should plan to bring only what can fit in their pockets. Select footwear accordingly — students will be walking across a football field and up several stairs onto a stage. The ceremony is expected to last approximately 2 hours.
*All graduates shall be permitted to wear only those stoles or honor cords earned through University Honors, or recognized organizations officially sanctioned by the University, or by U.S. Military Veterans who attain the prescribed academic achievement to earn Veteran’s cords. Personal stoles or cords are not permitted. Tulane encourages students’ personal expressions of creativity in the decoration of mortar boards (robe decorating is not permitted), while reserving neck-worn stoles and cords only for officially recognized honors.
What to Expect:
- Students will show their Splash ID or government-issued ID, obtain their required wristband, pick up their name card, and line up by department/program
- There will be a procession onto the field, where students will be seated by department/program – you will not be allowed onto the field without a school-issued wristband.
- Students will process up to the stage, grouped by department/program
- Each student's name will be read from the stage as the student crosses the stage
- A photographer will be set up to capture each student’s diploma presentation
- After the ceremony, students will exit through Gate A to the Yulman Plaza where they can meet up with their families/friends and have a photo opportunity. Students will not be permitted to return to Mintz field to gather ANYTHING left behind.
Latin Honors: Newcomb-Tulane College will award honor cords to students receiving Latin honors. If you believe you may be eligible for Latin honors, you MUST check in on time in order to ensure that your honors are read and that you receive a cord. NTC cannot guarantee you will get your cord and have your honors read if you arrive later than the recommended check-in time. Visit the Awards and Honors page for more information about Latin honors eligibility.
FOR GUESTS
Doors open at 1:00 p.m. (12:30 p.m. for ADA) and guests are asked to be seated no later than 1:20 p.m. Guests arriving after 1:25 p.m. will be held in the concourse during the procession and will not be able to access the seating areas until the graduate procession is complete. As with home football games, all attendees will go through security and bag checks. Please arrive early to allow adequate time. Please review the clear bag policy and list of prohibited items listed in the FAQ section below — there will be no exceptions.
Programs will be available upon arrival at GATE B.
Seating is General Admission style — first-come, first-served. There is no limit on the number of guests per student.
Parking/Transportation:
Parking is available in Diboll Garage. Guests should enter Ben Weiner Drive from Willow Street. There is no guest access to Diboll Garage from the Claiborne Avenue entrance of Ben Weiner. Freret Street will also be closed to traffic.
*Please respect all of Tulane's “reserved all hours” parking spaces and please stay clear of fire lanes and “no parking” areas.
Freedom of Expression and Code of Conduct
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:
- Deliberately blocking the audience's view of the speaker or presenter.
- In-person or virtual shouting down or producing noise with the intent to prevent the speaker or presenter from being heard.
- Intentional distraction through use of alarms, phones, lights, pointers, etc.
- Creating in-person or virtual barriers to entry or access to the event.
- Destructive conduct.
- Inciting violence, intimidating, or threatening others.
Please note all policies and guidelines above are subject to change.
Commencement FAQs
When/where will Commencement be?
Spring Commencement exercises for the class of 2024 will be in Yulman Stadium on May 17 and 18, 2024. See dates and times above.
Why will the 2024 ceremony take place at Yulman Stadium?
Spring Commencement exercises are in Yulman Stadium for the duration of the Caesar's Superdome renovations during the Saints offseason, as it is unavailable for our annual celebration of academic achievement.
Will events be livestreamed? How do I watch it?
Yes, the School of Liberal Arts ceremony will be livestreamed and available on this site during the scheduled event time. The Unified Commencement will be livestreamed the following day and provided on the Unified Commencement website.
What is the Clear Bag Policy?
The University's Clear Bag Policy is available on the Tulane Green Wave website.
What items are prohibited?
The prohibited items list is available on the Tulane Green Wave website.
What is the Inclement Weather Plan?
Rain Delay: the start time of the ceremony could be delayed by an hour, for rapidly moving weather events.
Postponement: if necessary, the ceremony could be postponed to Saturday morning, weather-permitting. If the rain plan is initiated, details about the changes will be communicated by via text message updates from the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response. Guests can sign up for these updates by texting tugrad to 888777.
When will I get my diploma?
With the exception of Doctor of Medicine students, all Spring 2024 graduates can expect diploma delivery 4-6 weeks after degree conferral. The diploma will be mailed to the diploma mailing address provided by the student on the application for degree. This address can be updated via Gibson Online at the “Update Diploma Address” link found under the "student" tab.
Who is eligible to participate in Spring 2024 Commencement?
All graduates who earn a degree(s) in Summer 2023, Fall 2023 and students who will complete academic requirements in Spring 2024 are eligible to participate. ALL students must complete an application to graduate in order to participate. Most students should be able to access an online application in the Gibson student portal after meeting with their academic advisor. Select programs allow students within certain requirements, who plan to complete coursework in Summer 2024, to participate — these students should confirm eligibility with their academic advisor during the Spring semester.
SLA Diploma Ceremony Time Change
Why is the ceremony time being changed?
The SLA Diploma Ceremony time is being changed due to the forecast of severe weather. This decision is made to ensure the safety of all attendees, participants, faculty, and staff. Most importantly, we want to ensure that SLA graduates have the opportunity to cross the stage in the presence of their family, friends, and faculty.
This decision was made in consultation with the university’s Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response and professional weather partners.
What is the new time for the SLA Diploma Ceremony?
The new time for the ceremony is 2:00 p.m. instead of 6:30 p.m. Doors to Yulman Stadium will open at 1:00 p.m. (12:30 p.m. for ADA accommodations only). Please make sure to adjust your plans accordingly.
How will I be informed of any further changes?
We do not anticipate any further changes or updates. Should any changes arise, please check your email and https://commencement.tulane.edu/communications for the latest updates. Text message updates will also be sent by the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response. Guests can sign up for these updates by texting tugrad to 888777.
Will the location of the ceremony also change?
Only the timing of the ceremony is being adjusted. The location and venue regulations remain the same at Yulman Stadium.
What measures are being taken to ensure safety during the ceremony?
We are closely monitoring the weather conditions and have contingency plans in place. We will ensure that all safety protocols are followed, including potential Yulman Stadium concourse covered area and emergency services on standby.
I have a conflict with the new ceremony time. What should I do?
We understand that the new time may not be convenient for everyone. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and flexibility.
Will there be any changes to the program due to the time change?
The program for the ceremony will not have any modifications.
What should I do if severe weather occurs during the ceremony?
In the event of severe weather during the ceremony, please follow the instructions of the event staff. Safety announcements will be made as needed. Note that umbrellas will be allowed in the stadium.
Where can I get more information?
For additional information about the SLA ceremony visit https://liberalarts.tulane.edu/commencement. For additional information about Unified Commencement and other events visit https://commencement.tulane.edu.
We are here to help and ensure that your experience is as smooth as possible despite the weather changes.
Will there be any accommodations for those traveling from out of town?
We are aware that travel plans may be affected by the time change. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and flexibility.
How can I stay updated on the weather forecast and its impact on the ceremony?
Text message updates will be sent by the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response. Guests can sign up for these updates by texting tugrad to 888777.
Is there a possibility of the ceremony being postponed or canceled?
While we hope to avoid postponing or canceling the ceremony, the safety of our attendees is our top priority. There are emergency preparedness officials onsite and weather will be monitored closely.
School of Liberal Arts 2024 Undergraduate Program
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Livestream the Tulane School of Liberal Arts 2024 Diploma Ceremony