Information for Graduates
In January, your student account was assessed a $125 graduation fee for the commencement ceremony. This fee is used to offset the general graduation expenses. You may invite as many guests as you wish to your graduation. More than 6,000 people are expected to attend the ceremony so we encourage you to allow adequate time when making arrangements for the day. The graduation fee includes:
- Diploma
- Tassel
- Medallion Keepsake
- Cap, Gown and Hood Rental
If you do not wish to participate in the commencement ceremony, please notify the Student Accounts Office in writing or via e-mail as soon as possible. Your account will be credited $75 and the remaining balance of $50 will cover your diploma fee. If it is determined that you are ineligible for graduation in 2008, the full $125 charge will be credited to your account.
Details on how/when to order your Cap and Gown as well as instructions on when/where to pick them up and return them following the ceremony will be available soon.
School Colors
While the official school colors of Loyola Law School -- Loyola Marymount University are crimson and dark blue, black and purple are the main colors you will see at Loyola Law School's commencement ceremonies. Purple is the traditional color of law.
Graduates'
mortar boards and robes are black with a hood that is purple
and black on one side and crimson and white on the other.
Graduation List
A list of graduates is posted in the Office of the Registrar. You should check the list to ensure that your name is spelled correctly, and that your graduation term is correct.
If you have a grandparent, parent, uncle, aunt, sibling, or spouse who is a graduate of Loyola Law School, he or she may present you with your diploma in the ceremony. (The presenter must be limited to those mentioned.) The presenter will participate in the processional and the diploma presentation. You must order a cap and gown for them -- deadline to be specified soon.
If you wish to have a presenter with you at the commencement ceremony, please fill out this form no later than Friday, March 7.
Opportunities
There are opportunities available for you to participate more actively in your ceremony:
Student speaker: The Day and Evening Divisions each have one speaker who represents the class and gives a commencement speech. The respective SBA representatives conduct the selection process. Please contact your SBA representative for more information.
Please review the General Graduation Information page, and make sure that your guests are aware of the general information.
Parking
Since more than 6,000 people are expected to attend the commencement ceremony, you are encouraged to arrive early! It is important to allow adequate time for you and your guests to travel to Loyola Marymount University, park, and walk to the ceremony area. The walk from the parking areas to any of the designated commencement activities will take approximately 15 minutes. (Please secure any personal belongings in your vehicle rather than bringing them with you to the gowning area.) You must enter the campus from the LMU Drive entrance (off Lincoln Boulevard) and park as directed by Security.
Disability/Special Parking and Seating
If you or your guest require special accommodations at commencement, you may use this parking pass. Once on campus, Security will direct you to appropriate parking areas. Shuttles will be provided to transport people with special needs to the reserved seating area.
UV Recommendation
Commencement takes place in an open garden area so sun protection is strongly suggested. Please advise your family and guests that hats and other sun precautions are strongly recommended since there is no natural shade available. Medical staff will be available throughout the day, in the event of emergencies.
Footwear
Comfortable (yet semi-formal) shoes are recommended at Commencement because of the extensive walking distances (from parking to Gerston Pavillion and the Sunken Gardens, and then back to Gerston and parking), the various walking surfaces (mainly pavement, tarmac and grass) and the climbing of steps (on risers for the class group photo and onto the stage area for the ceremony).
Graduation Mass
A Graduation Mass will be celebrated for graduates and their guests at 10 a.m. in the Sacred Heart Chapel. The Reverend Robert B. Lawton, S.J., President, Loyola Marymount University, is the celebrant. All are welcome at this service. If you plan to attend and would like to be part of the entrance procession, prepare to meet in front of the Chapel in your cap and gown by 9:45 a.m. If you will be attending, please RSVP by May 4.
Gowning Area
Graduation candidates must report to the gowning area in Gersten Pavillion WITH YOUR CAP AND GOWN between 11:15 and 11:30 a.m. All caps and gowns must be returned to the gowning area in Gersten Pavillion immediately following the ceremony. Any cap and gown not returned to Gersten Pavillion will be billed to the candidate.
Commencement Name Card
Following gowning, please report to the designated area of Gersten Pavillion to receive your Commencement Name Card. You must have this card in your possession when you line up for the processional march. In order for your name to be announced during the ceremony, you must present this card to the Associate Dean as you cross the stage.
Class Photograph
Bob Knight PhotoMarketing, Inc. (www.bobknightphoto.com)
will take the class photograph promptly at 12:15 p.m. in front
of the Hilton Center. Your picture will also be taken during
the ceremony as you receive your diploma. A proof of the photograph
will be emailed directly to you, presenting you with the option
to purchase prints.
Commencement Ceremony
The commencement ceremony will begin promptly at 1 p.m. on the Regent's Terrace. The ceremony usually lasts until 3 p.m. Guest and graduate seating is in the Sunken Garden area.
Alcohol Policy
Commencement decorum dictates that candidates conduct themselves in an appropriate manner that includes the adoption of a mature attitude towards the use of alcohol. Please refrain from consuming any alcoholic beverages before and during your commencement.
Alumni
Association Membership
Immediately upon graduating, you become a member of the Loyola
Law School Alumni Association. Your membership in this alumni
family provides you with networking opportunities, scheduled
alumni events, and news of your classmates. For further information,
please contact the Alumni Office. Voice: (213) 736-8153, Fax:
(213) 384-1659.
Diploma
Your diploma will be mailed to you directly from Graphic Awards in September. If you wish to purchase a frame, please make such arrangements by visiting the Graphic Awards website.
LLS E-mail, Network Account, Parking Garage Passes
Your LLS email account and your Novell account (your personal "H" drive) will be removed on or after December 31 (for all Summer 2007, Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 graduates). When this occurs, all e-mail in your account and all files on your H Drive will be erased. If you wish to save these files, you must save or print them prior to that date. The Alumni Office offers a lifetime e-mail forwarding service–but this redirection service does not save e-mails and your current mailbox can not be converted. No extensions will be permitted; please plan accordingly.
Also, parking garage privileges cease on July 31. Fall graduates may cancel their parking by early January.
Any questions regarding Commencement should be directed to the Office of the Registrar at (213) 736-1130 or registrar@lls.edu.