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2023 Schedule of Events

Please note that all of the events listed below are subject to change. Be sure to check this page regularly and join the official UL Lafayette Parent & Family Facebook Group for schedule updates and other important announcements.

*Denotes event with required registration/tickets.

View our FAQ page for additional information about Family Weekend.


Friday, September 22

Visit the Ragin' Cajuns Store

7:30 AM5:00 PM | Student Union Location (620 McKinley St.)

10:00 AM6:00 PM | Heritage Location (110 East Lewis St., Bldg 5)

Stop by one of our Ragin’ Cajuns Store locations for all of your Ragin' Cajuns apparel needs. Use this coupon for a special Family Weekend discount!

 

Explore the UL Lafayette Science Museum & Planetarium

9:00 AM5:00 PM | 433 Jefferson Street

Located in the heart of downtown, the UL Lafayette Science Museum is a playful portal into a vast universe of discovery. The museum offers a fun, hands-on experience for curious minds of all ages. The museum’s exhibits and installations are designed to enlighten and educate. Visit the UL Lafayette Science Museum to learn something new - and have fun in the process!

Students receive free admission to the museum year-round with their Cajun Card. During Family Weekend, parents and family members can visit the museum for only $5 per ticket (plus processing fees). To receive the Family Weekend discount, your student must present their Cajun Card at the door. Limit 4 discounted tickets per UL Lafayette student.

 

Visit the Hilliard Art Museum

9:00 AM5:00 PM | 710 East St. Mary Blvd.

Mention "Family Weekend" at the door for free admission into our university art museum. The museum features at least 4 exhibitions each season that showcase regional, national, and international artists. Learn more about the Hilliard online here.

 

12 x 12 Spark Exhibition & Online Auction 

9:00 AM5:00 PM | Fletcher Hall Gallery, room 207

The UL Lafayette College of the Arts, Fletcher Hall Gallery will be hosting the 12” x 12” Spark Exhibition and Auction. This community art exhibition and online auction showcases 12” x 12” artworks (or smaller) from artists in the greater Acadiana region along with UL alums, staff, and faculty. The exhibition is free to attend. The auction helps raise funds for the college’s SPARK Annual Fund, which is committed to funding facets of college and student development that help to make the College of the Arts a vibrant and thriving community. This annual fund helps support the Dean’s Scholars program, student organizational support, and the Fletcher Hall Gallery. Online bidding is available here.

 

Drive-Through Family Weekend Headquarters

12:30 PM5:00 PM | Alumni Center (600 E. St. Mary Blvd.)

Stop by our convenient drive-through-style Family Weekend Headquarters location to pick up your pre-ordered Family Weekend t-shirts, ask questions, and drop off your donations for the Family Weekend Service Project. We invite you to donate gently-used professional clothing items, nonperishable food items, and personal hygiene products to benefit our on-campus Career Closet and Campus Cupboard. 

To access the Family Weekend Headquarters, drive to the Alumni Center, located at 600 E. St. Mary Blvd. Enter the semi-circle driveway from St. Mary Blvd. One of our volunteers will meet you at your vehicle to assist you. 

 

Beignets and Coffee with Housing & Residential Life

1:00 PM2:00 PM | Randolph Hall, 1st floor

Join the Office of Housing & Residential Life for complimentary beignets and coffee! Stop by any time between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM. We are excited to share information about upcoming residence hall programs planned for your Ragin’ Cajun. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn more about our Residential Assistants (RAs), how they’re able to support your student, and how your student can get involved as an RA themselves! Additionally, a Housing representative will be present to discuss job opportunities and resources for students.

 

Meet the Dean of Engineering - Informational Session and Q&A*

1:00 PM2:00 PM | Madison Hall, room 101

*Online registration required (free to attend)

The College of Engineering invites students and families to meet the Dean! During this informational session and Q&A, the Dean will share information about all of the great things happening in the College of Engineering including: student success services, curriculum enhancements, and our new engineering building and makerspace coming very soon.

 

Meet with the Dean of Sciences' Office

1:00 PM2:30 PM | Oliver Hall, room 101

Families are encouraged to join the College of Sciences to learn more about our academic programs and to have their questions answered. Time permitting, brief tours of our Biology, Chemistry, and Computing Programs facilities will be provided.

 

POP ON IN: College of Education & Human Development Open House

1:00 PM2:30 PM | Maxim Doucet Hall, room 101B

The College of Education & Human Development will host an Open House for Family Weekend attendees in Maxim Doucet, room 101B. All students and families are welcome! Refreshments and door prizes available! Pop in any time between 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM. 

 

Welcome In! College of Liberal Arts Meet & Greet

1:00 PM2:30 PM | Griffin Hall, 1st floor lobby

Registration is not required, but please RSVP online here.

The College of Liberal Arts invites students and families to gather for a meet and greet! Join us any time between 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM in Griffin Hall for an opportunity to get acquainted with COLA faculty and staff. Complimentary refreshments will be provided. 

 

College of Business Welcome Reception

1:00 PM–3:00 PM | F.G. Mouton Hall, 1st floor Student Lounge

Registration is not required, but please RSVP online here.

Moody College of Business Administration students and their families are encouraged to join the Dean and college leaders for a casual welcome reception. Stop by the F.G. Mouton Student Lounge (located on the first floor) any time between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM for complimentary light refreshments and the opportunity to mix and mingle with Dean Nichols and the College of Business Department Chairs. MCOBA swag will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to connect with your student’s academic college leaders!

 

Nursing Simulation Lab Spotlight

1:00 PM3:00 PM | Wharton Hall, 2nd floor

Join the College of Nursing & Health Sciences for exclusive tours of their Simulation Labs! During your tour, you'll have the opportunity to view the labs and learn more about how the simulation experience enhances your nursing student's education. Stop by any time between 1:00 and 3:00 PM for a tour. 

The internationally accredited Nursing Simulation Program features five simulation labs. The labs contain state-of-the-art technology which allows for course-embedded opportunities for students to learn best practices in managing care of newborns, children, pregnant women, and acute and chronically ill adults.

 

UL LIFE Program Student & Mentor Family Social

3:00 PM4:30 PM | Randolph Hall, 2nd floor

Registration is not required, but please RSVP online here.

UL LIFE student and mentor families are invited to a social mixer to get to know each other and see what the students have been up to so far this year. 

Not a UL LIFE student or mentor? Check out our website to learn more about the UL LIFE Program or how to become a mentor! 

 

UL Lafayette Selfie Tour

4:00 PM5:00 PM | Alumni Center (600 E. St. Mary Blvd.)

Registration is not required, but please RSVP online here.

Take a tour of UL Lafayette's most iconic spots on campus while getting pro tips from the University's social media director on how to take great selfies and photos with your phone and have photos of the family taken by the University photographer. Dress comfortably for a walk starting at the Alumni Center and crossing the main campus (about a half of a mile will be covered).

The tour will depart from the front of the UL Lafayette Alumni Center (600 E. Saint Mary Blvd.) at 4:00 PM and return in time for the Family Game Night at the Alumni Center at 5:00 PM. Parking will be available in the back parking lot of the Alumni Center located across from Girard Park.

 

Family Game Night*

5:00 PM6:30 PM | Alumni Center (600 E. St. Mary Blvd.)

*Registration is required and has closed.

Join our University Administration, Family Weekend Committee, and the UL Lafayette Alumni Association for Family Game Night at the Alumni Center! Families will have the opportunity to play and/or compete in a variety of games and enjoy a selection of pizza and game night appetizers & desserts. Admission is free of charge and refreshments are complimentary. This will be a floating event from 5:00 PM-6:30 PM.

Parking will be available in the back parking lot of the Alumni Center located across from Girard Park.

 

Ragin' Cajuns Volleyball vs. Troy

6:00 PM | Earl K. Long Gymnasium (500 E. St. Mary Blvd.)

Admission is FREE to watch one of the most exciting sports programs on campus. Come out and support our Ragin' Cajuns volleyball team as they take on Troy at the historic Earl K. Long Gym. The Ragin' Cajuns Store will be on site selling Ragin' Cajuns apparel. Be sure to read about the clear bag policy.


Saturday, September 23

Drive-Through Family Weekend Headquarters

10:00 AM12:00 PM | Alumni Center (600 E. St. Mary Blvd.)

Stop by our convenient drive-through-style Family Weekend Headquarters location to pick up your pre-ordered Family Weekend t-shirts, ask questions, and drop off your donations for the Family Weekend Service Project. We invite you to donate gently-used professional clothing items, nonperishable food items, and personal hygiene products to benefit our on-campus Career Closet and Campus Cupboard. 

To access the Family Weekend Headquarters, drive to the Alumni Center, located at 600 E. St. Mary Blvd. Enter the semi-circle driveway from St. Mary Blvd. One of our volunteers will meet you at your vehicle to assist you. 

 

Visit the Ragin' Cajuns Store

10:00 AM2:00 PM | Student Union Location (620 McKinley St.)

10:00 AM6:00 PM | Heritage Location (110 East Lewis St., Bldg 5)

Stop by one of our Ragin’ Cajuns Store locations for all of your Ragin' Cajuns apparel needs. Use this coupon for a special Family Weekend discount!

 

See Art & Make Art at the Hilliard!

10:00 AM1:00 PM | 710 East St. Mary Blvd.

The Hilliard Art Museum is delighted to welcome our Ragin' Cajun students and their loved ones during Family Weekend. Visit the museum any time between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM for a drop-in art activity designed for all ages. Check out the current exhibitions and create your own masterpiece! Admission to the museum is free for everyone during Family Weekend. Parking is available on site for those participating in this event.

The Hilliard is open from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM on Saturday, with free admission all day for Family Weekend attendees. The See Art & Make Art event takes place from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM.

 

Dupre Library Special Collections Tours

10:00 AM2:00 PM | Dupre Library, 1st floor Reference Desk (near the front entrance)

Registration is not required, but please RSVP online here.

Dupré Library's Special Collections Department brings together a wide variety of materials representing the south and southwest Louisiana experience. Searching for family history? Need historical statistics on Louisiana? Looking for population data for Acadiana? Interested in the works of award-winning author Ernest J. Gaines? Take a 30-minute guided tour of Special Collections to see how we support research for undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and other scholars.

 

Explore the UL Lafayette Science Museum & Planetarium

10:00 AM–6:00 PM | 433 Jefferson Street

Located in the heart of downtown, the UL Lafayette Science Museum is a playful portal into a vast universe of discovery. The museum offers a fun, hands-on experience for curious minds of all ages. The museum’s exhibits and installations are designed to enlighten and educate. Visit the UL Lafayette Science Museum to learn something new - and have fun in the process!

Students receive free admission to the museum year-round with their Cajun Card. During Family Weekend, parents and family members can visit the museum for only $5 per ticket (plus processing fees). To receive the Family Weekend discount, your student must present their Cajun Card at the door. Limit 4 discounted tickets per UL Lafayette student.

 

Zydeco Brunch

11:00 AM2:00 PM | Cypress Lake Dining Room - Student Union

Enjoy an all-you-can-eat Louisiana inspired brunch buffet and a live DJ in the Student Union's Cypress Lake Dining Room. Admission is $12.50 and can be paid at the door. UL Lafayette students with a meal plan are allowed to use a meal swipe. Children under 3 years of age eat free with the purchase of one regular admission.

 

Family Weekend Tailgate*

3:30 PM - 6:00 PM | Cajun Field, Alumni Association Tent

*Registration is required and has closed. Only those who have registered and purchased Family Weekend Tailgate tickets will be permitted to attend. For those who did not have the chance to register, alternative tailgating opportunities are open to the general public at Russo Park from 3:30-5:30 PM on game day. 

Join the UL Lafayette Alumni Association for the official Family Weekend Tailgate! Help us cheer on the Ragin' Cajuns as they prepare to take on the Buffalo Bulls.

Registration is $15 per person (students and family members) and includes jambalaya, cracklins, quail eggs, soft drinks, water, beer, and seltzers. Food and drinks are first-come, first-serve while supplies last and will stop being served 30 minutes prior to kick-off. Refunds will not be provided. If you are a current Alumni Association Loyalty Fund Member, there is no cost for you to attend this event but please RSVP utilizing the Loyalty Fund ticket option. Anyone 17 & under receives free admission to the tailgate and does not need a ticket.

The Family Weekend and Alumni Association tailgate tent is located in the parking lot of the Soccer/Track facility on Reinhardt Drive. Look for the red and white Family Weekend signs. Click here for a map.

 

Ragin' Cajuns Football vs. Buffalo Bulls*

6:30 PM | Cajun Field

*Tickets Required (see below; fees apply)

Fight on Cajuns, fight on to victory! You don’t want to miss the Ragin’ Cajuns as they take on the University at Buffalo Bulls. For additional details about game day and special festivities at Cajun Field, visit the 2023 Game Day Central website. Be sure to read about the clear bag policy as well.

Please note: Ragin' Cajuns Athletics utilizes mobile ticketing for all guests. Be sure to download your tickets to your mobile device before arriving at Cajun Field in case service is spotty due to large crowds. Mobile ticket instructions and more information can be found online.

Free general admission parking is available the LITE Center and the Cajundome (after 3 PM). Click here for a map.


Sunday, September 24

Family Day with Rec Sports

10:00 AM–6:00 PM | Bourgeois Hall (225 Cajundome Blvd.)

Visit our expansive recreation facilities at Bourgeois Hall! On Sunday, September 24 friends and family members of UL Lafayette students are welcome to utilize our Rec Sports facilities free of charge. Get a workout in or hit the courts to unwind after a busy weekend.

Facilities Available Include:

  • Lap Pool (weather permitting) 
  • Student Fitness Center (weight machines, free weights, cardio equipment, and a variety of other equipment)
  • Gymnasium courts with basketball, volleyball, and more
  • Racquetball courts and tennis courts
  • Indoor track
  • Bourgeois Park with paved path and outdoor fitness equipment stations (located across Cajundome Blvd.)
  • Equipment rental will be available from the front desk

Important Notes:

  • The UL Lafayette student must be present with their friends & family members to be admitted into Bourgeois Hall. Students must present their Cajun Card at the door.
  • Any family members aged 14 years or younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
  • Visitors must be 16 years or older to access the Fitness Center. All ages are allowed in the court areas and other facilities.
  • The leisure pool area and rock wall will not be open at this time.

 

Ragin' Cajuns Soccer vs. ULM

1:00 PM | Home Bank Track & Soccer Complex (111 Reinhardt Drive)

Cheer on the Ragin' Cajuns Soccer team in their match against ULM. Admission is FREE! Be sure to read about the clear bag policy. Parking is available on site. 

 

Explore the UL Lafayette Science Museum & Planetarium

1:00 PM6:00 PM | 433 Jefferson Street

Located in the heart of downtown, the UL Lafayette Science Museum is a playful portal into a vast universe of discovery. The museum offers a fun, hands-on experience for curious minds of all ages. The museum’s exhibits and installations are designed to enlighten and educate. Visit the UL Lafayette Science Museum to learn something new - and have fun in the process!

Students receive free admission to the museum year-round with their Cajun Card. During Family Weekend, parents and family members can visit the museum for only $5 per ticket (plus processing fees). To receive the Family Weekend discount, your student must present their Cajun Card at the door. Limit 4 discounted tickets per UL Lafayette student.


Things to Do in Lafayette

Interested in creating your own adventure while visiting Lafayette? See our list of suggestions below or visit the Lafayette Travel website.