Mardi Gras
Everything you need to know in order to "Let the Good Times Roll"
Loyola University takes the safety of its residents and the security of its residence halls very seriously. During the Mardi Gras weekend & holiday residential students will notice some changes to protocol concerning entrance to residence halls and guests/visitation. For more information, please read the Mardi Gras Newsletter (PDF), or contact your RA.
Special Policies for Mardi Gras
Please note the following special policies that only take place during Mardi Gras weekend:
- All overnight guests must be registered, including payment of $100 per guest (Late registration is $200).
- Each registered guest will receive a temporary building ID card to gain access to the residence hall.
- No more than three people may stay in any room overnight during Mardi Gras.
- All guests, whether overnight or not, must check-in and check-out at the Front Desk each time they enter/leave the residence hall.
- All unregistered guests must check-out before Midnight.
- University Police will work late night/early morning desk shifts in each residence hall to increase security at those hours.
Dates and Times
Special policies are in place from Friday, February 20 at Noon through Wednesday, February 25 at 6:00 AM.
January 6, 2009- First Mardi Gras parade of 2009 rolls down the Streetcar Route, as the Phunny Phorty Phellows parade from the Canal Street Station into Uptown via St. Charles and back.
February 20, 2009 4:45 PM- Guest pre-registration ends. Overnight guests registered before this time cost only $100 each.
February 23, 2009 Noon- Guest late registration ends. Overnight guests registered before this deadline cost $200 each. No overnight guests may be registered after this deadline.
Monday, February 23, 2009- Lundi Gras! No classes, University closed.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009- Mardi Gras! No classes, University closed.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009- Ash Wednesday, classes resume.
Download Important Forms
Regular Visitation
"Regular" visitation is suspended for ALL residents in ALL residence halls. Visitation hours during Mardi Gras weekend for ALL guests of any gender are 10:00 AM to Midnight. Every guests must be individually checked in to the residence hall and will be required to leave an ID with the Front Desk. All guests who are not registered to stay overnight must check out of the residence hall by Midnight.
Overnight Guests
Overnight guests must be pre-registered to stay on campus during Mardi Gras weekend. Registration is open beginning Monday, February 9, 2009. Host students must download the Guest Registration Form (PDF), or they can pick one up from their building’s front desk.
Early Guest Registration costs $100 and must be complete by 4:45 PM on Friday, February 20, 2009. The student must submit the completed Guest Registration Form (with all information) along with cash or personal check in the amount of $100 to the Main Residential Life Office on 1st Floor Biever. Alternatively, the student may give payment/form to their AD.
Late Guest Registration begins at 4:45 PM on February 20 and continues until Noon on Monday, February 23, 2009. The fee for Late Guest Registration is $200. Payment must be submitted to the AD on Duty, as it is a holiday weekend and the Residential Life Office will not be open.
Absolutely NO guests may be registered after Noon on Monday, February 23, 2009.
If a student wishes to submit a Late Guest Registration after the end of business on Friday, February 20, 2009, please contact the Front Desk. The Front Desk will contact the AD on Duty who will collect the registration form and fee, and will notify each desk to add the student to their Guest List.
When the Guest Registration Form is submitted to the Biever Office (or to the AD on Duty), the staff person will review the form for completeness and will collect the fee from the student. The staff person will fill out the gray box atop the form at this time, noting the date, time, payment method, and amount received for record-keeping purposes.
Returned checks will be assessed a $25 fee and billed to the host student's University account.
Building Access
All guests will be issued a temporary key access card the first time they check-in to their building. This card will allow them access to the front doors of the residence hall in which they are staying. In order to enter any residence hall, a registered guest must produce that ID card along with a government-issued photo ID, such as a Driver's License.
All resident students must produce their Loyola Express Card in order to gain building access.
Registered guests may enter and exit the building without their host, but will not be keyed into any residence hall wing, room, lounge, or kitchen.
Personal Safety Tips
- Carry your Loyola ID (Express Card) and Driver's License at all times.
- Obey the commands and requests of all Police Officers. NOPD Officers are particularly demanding during the Mardi Gras season due to long work hours and heavy case loads.
- Let your RA and friends know where you are going and when you plan to return.
- Do not carry large amounts of cash. Use credit/debit cards as much as possible.
- Leave your jewelry, purses, bulky wallets, and other valuables at home.
- tay in well-lit, populated areas.
- Do not get too close to any parade float, and never cross any barricades.
Safe Way Home
Loyola partners with United Cab during Mardi Gras weekend to offer the Safe Way Home program. If you do not have cash or credit card you may still get a ride home from United Cab! Simply pick up a Safe Way Home card from the Front Desk on your way out, then when you are ready to come home just call United Cab and give the card and your Express Card to the driver. Loyola will charge the cost of the cab ride back to your student account.
Parade Schedule
You can see current Parade schedules and routes online at NOLA.com.
Residential Life Policies
Make sure you and your guests are familiar with the policies outlined in Loyola's Student Handbook and in the Residential Reader.
