Loyola University Chicago

Community Relations

Dalai Lama Attendees Expected in the Thousands

Loyola Neighborhood News: Lake Shore Campus - V3, I7

On Thursday, April 26, His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama will visit Loyola University Chicago and present two lectures. 

The morning talk on non-violence is hosted by TIBETcenter Chicago, will take place from 9:45 – 11:30 AM in Gentile Arena.  This is a public event. Tickets prices are $40 [sold out], $80 and $120.  Tickets are still available for purchase through the TIBETcenter website http://support.tibetcenterchicago.org.

Nearly 100 local high school juniors and seniors who won an essay contest will attend the morning event.
The afternoon talk on inter-faith collaboration is hosted by the university will take place from 1:30-3:00 PM, also in Gentile Arena. Students were given first priority to purchase tickets which sold out in less than 24 hours. No tickets were made available to faculty, staff or alumni due to overwhelming student demand.
Due to heightened security measures, attendee arrival is to take place 90 minutes prior to each event. Loyola’s special events team is working closely with the secret service to ensure the highest level of security throughout the day.

Despite encouraging all guests to use public transportation, the university anticipates, and is preparing for, a large volume of cars to arrive on campus and in the surrounding neighborhood.

In order to effectively manage the vehicular traffic, the university has created a traffic plan for the Dalai Lama, members of the Tibetan community, secret service, campus shuttles, high school students and university personnel.

The 1100 block of Loyola Avenue will be closed off for large vehicle drop-offs, VIPs and safety vehicles. Vehicles will turn east off Sheridan Road, drop passengers along the pedestrian path into campus and exit via Winthrop and Albion Avenues.

Large vehicles will be stationed at Hoyne Field parking lot off Devon Avenue.

Campus vehicular traffic will be directed to one of several off-campus parking lots in the area, attended by volunteers, to accommodate volume.  In some cases, shuttle vans will bring ticketed guests to and from external lots.

We ask neighbors to plan for the additional traffic beginning as early at 7:00 AM.  Neighbors on blocks with parking restrictions will receive personal letters. 
For more information visit the Inside Loyola article:http://www.luc.edu/dalailama/april262012/thevisitofhisholinessthexivdalailamaatloyola/

If you have any questions about traffic or neighborhood concerns relating to this event, please contact the Department of Community Relations at 773-508-7450.