Wristbands

Wristbands will be required for all graduating students to participate in school graduation ceremonies and Unified Commencement. Students must bring their Splash ID or government-issued ID to the school ceremony to receive their wristband. The wristband should remain on through Unified Commencement. For students not attending school ceremonies, wristbands can also be issued at the student lineup at Unified Commencement.

Wristbands will not be required for senior awards or the doctoral hooding ceremony.

Security

There have been changes around what is permitted in both school and unified ceremonies. Students should bring essential items only. There will be no holding area for bags or other possessions.

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.

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

• Clear totes or bags no larger than 12" x 12" x 6".
• Small, non-clear clutch bags no larger than 4.5" x 6.5".
• Plastic, resealable storage bags no larger than one (1) gallon.
• Diaper bags (12" x 12" x 6") approved with child present.
• NO other bags will be permitted

Prohibited Items

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. 

The following items are not allowed into any commencement-related event or student line-up areas and will be confiscated:

• flags, banners, or signs of any size or type;
• alcohol;
• artificial noisemakers (including drums, thunder sticks, or other instruments);
• 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.

Handheld umbrellas, including graduating students' second-line umbrellas, are permitted and will be inspected upon arrival.

Facility Policies: In addition to Tulane's policy, the Mahalia Jackson Theater has its own established policies. (Note: the following duplicates some items from the list above.)

• Firearms or weapons of any kind
• Cameras with external flash or interchangeable lenses; audio/video recording devices; tripods/monopods; drones; selfie sticks
• Laser pointers; optical illusions; flash lights
• Illegal substances
• Noise making devices, fireworks; signs/flags/banners; balloons
• Outside food and beverages; cans or bottles
• Beach balls or projectiles
• Skateboards/scooters/rollerblades
• Laptops/tablets,
• Pets (service animals are welcome)
• Outside food and beverages

The security process is a condition of entry. Any refusal or the use of abusive, threatening or discriminatory remarks will result in access being refused.

Freedom of Expression and Code of Conduct

Please note that Tulane’s Code of Student Conduct will be in place and enforced. Freedom of Expression is permitted but must not disrupt the freedom of others. Please see this page for a full explanation.

Check In

Check in for Unified Commencement will open early at 4:30pm

Parking

MAHALIA JACKSON PARKING
All parking at the theater is $20, CASH ONLY.

Undergraduate Public Health Graduation Ceremony Parking for this ceremony opens at 7:15 am. All cars must exit the lot within 30 minutes following the ceremony.

Master's and Doctoral Public Health Graduation Ceremony Parking for this ceremony opens at 11:30 am Cars must exit the lot by 5:00  pm.

Individuals arriving via taxi/rideshare may enter via the Basin Street gate and will be dropped off near the front of the building.

TIDEWATER PARKING
The Tidewater garage will be open for parking at 4:00 pm for people who want to park there and shuttle to Yulman Stadium for the unified commencement ceremony. Tell security you are parking for the graduation.

Tidewater will remain open for parking and two shuttles will be provided for transportation to Yulman Stadium at 5:10 pm and 5:30 pm. Shuttles have a limited 25-passenger capacity and are first-come, first-serve. Return shuttles will depart Yulman at 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm.