Traffic changes planned for Southeastern commencement May 18
Contact: Tonya Lowentritt
Date: May 3, 2013
HAMMOND -- Motorists and visitors planning to attend Southeastern Louisiana University's
commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 18, should anticipate heavy traffic and route
changes affecting University Avenue (Hwy. 3234) between Interstate 55 and North Cherry
Street.
Retired Chief Judge Burrell J. Carter of the Louisiana First Circuit Court of
Appeals will speak at the ceremony, where approximately 1,200 students will receive
associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees at the 10 a.m. ceremony in the
University Center.
Carmen Bray, interim director of University Police, said the section of University
Avenue between West Lion Lane and SGA Drive will be restricted from 7 a.m. to 1:30
p.m. that day. Local traffic will be allowed to proceed on University Avenue for as
long as possible, but will be diverted through the campus as congestion increases.
"I want to say 'thank you' to everyone for working with us to get this event
organized," said Bray. "It takes several agencies and plenty of planning to make sure
everyone can get where they need to go during commencement."
Prior to commencement, the University Center parking areas are expected to be
filled early, and all traffic on University Avenue will be diverted. Eastbound commencement
traffic will be diverted to West Lion Lane for parking at the University Center, and
westbound commencement traffic will be diverted to the campus at SGA Drive.
"Officers will begin directing traffic early in the morning," said Bray. "We
anticipate the parking areas around the University Center to be filled before 9 a.m."
Additional parking spaces around the University Center will be set aside for
vehicles with appropriate handicapped placards. Individuals requiring handicap accommodations
should try to arrive as early as possible.
Vacant parking spaces in the Southeastern Oaks/Greek Village complex will also
be used. Residents are requested to use the back gate near the laundry facility and
maintenance warehouse for entering and exiting between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Southeastern Lion Traxx shuttle buses will be in operation before and after the
ceremony to accommodate those parking in outlying areas or needing special transportation
assistance, Bray said. Shuttle stops will be marked with signs and/or canopies.
Drivers not attending commencement are asked to use U.S. 190 (Thomas Street and
Morris Street) or Natalbany Road (Hwy. 1064) to avoid University Avenue traffic.
Southeastern students wishing to return rental textbooks that day should wait
until after 2 p.m. to do so.
