Graduation

2025 Commencement Ceremony

Plan II Honors Program 2025 Commencement

The 2025 Plan II Commencement Ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 10th from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Hogg Memorial Auditorium. 

Questions? Reach out to planiicommencement@austin.utexas.edu

Post-ceremony Commencement Reception

Plan II Honors Program 2025 Commencement Reception

Join us after the ceremony for refreshments, brunch, photobooth fun, mariachi music, and celebration! All graduates and their guests are welcome to join.

The post-ceremony reception will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Texas Union Ballroom. The Texas Union is only a few steps away from our ceremony venue, as the Hogg Memorial Auditorium and the Texas Union buildings are right next to each other on campus.

Plan II RSVP & Tickets Information

How do I RSVP to walk in the Plan II Commencement?

All Plan II seniors eligible and approved to graduate should be sent an email from the COLA Commencement team inviting them to sign up for Tassel, our commencement planning software. All Liberal Arts students are asked to attend only one of the five COLA ceremonies. If you are in a major that is hosting their own ceremony, this is the ceremony you will attend. All other students will attend the COLA Commencement in the Moody Center on May 8, 2025. You may also attend the university-wide ceremony on May 10, 2025, at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium.  More information about tickets may be found on the University Commencement website.

Who needs a ticket, and why?

Graduating Plan II Honors seniors do NOT need a ticket for the Plan II Honors Graduation ceremony.  However, because seating is limited, all GUESTS must have a ticket to enter the Hogg Memorial Auditorium. When you (a graduating student) RSVP for the Plan II Commencement, you will have the option to claim your tickets for guests at that time.

How many tickets may I have?

Each graduating senior is initially given up to FOUR (4) tickets to start. We will release additional tickets for students to claim if they need more than the 4 allotted to them. These additional tickets will be released on Monday, March 24th via a Tassel email to the graduating student’s email address on file.

Why only four tickets?

Because seating is limited in the Hogg, we will not have more tickets than available seats. Therefore, we expect that seniors will not claim more tickets than they intend to use. Please do not claim additional tickets that if you know you will only have 3 or 4 guests!

May I have more than four tickets?

Yes, additional tickets will be released on Monday, March 24th via an email to the graduating student’s email address on file. Please only claim the tickets you need, and release any tickets you end up not needing so another student can claim them instead.

When may I pick up my tickets?

Tickets are digital. You’ll have access to them via Tassel, the software program that COLA uses for commencement coordination.

What if I miss the deadline to RSVP/walk in the ceremony?

The deadline to RSVP to walk in any COLA commencement, be it our Plan II ceremony or the big, COLA-wide ceremony, is April 14, 2025. This deadline is firm, set by the College centrally. If you miss this deadline, you will not be allowed to walk in ours, or any other, COLA ceremony.

Where do I get my cap and gown for the ceremony?

The University Co-op sells regalia for commencement; the Liberal Arts stole and tassel color is white. You must place your order with the Co-op by the deadline set by the Co-op. If purchasing regalia presents a financial hardship for you, please let us know. Plan II keeps caps and gowns on hand from past students, and offers free regalia rentals! Reach out to us if you need this service!

 

 

Plan II Commencement Day-of Information (for graduating seniors)

Where and when do I have to be on the day of Graduation? 

SENIORS MUST ARRIVE at the QUADRANGLE ROOM at 8:00 a.m. (EIGHT O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING!) on Saturday, May 10. Really - 8 a.m.  It is totally fine to bring coffee or breakfast with you if you like. You will be welcomed in the prep room by our academic advisors, who will help answer any questions and get you ready to walk. 

Where is the Quadrangle Room? 

The Quadrangle room is located inside the Texas Union, room number 3.304. The Union is right by Hogg Auditorium. 

Where and when should my family gather?  

Your family should gather outside of Hogg Auditorium. The doors will not open until 8:00 a.m. Seating is ''first-come, first-seated.'' THERE IS NO RESERVED GUEST SEATING. Only speakers, guests of honor, and graduates have assigned seats.  Give your family/guests their tickets BEFORE SATURDAY! Your tickets can be found in Tassel and you can email your guests their tickets directly. You will not be with them for at least one hour prior to the ceremony.  

What should I bring with me to the ceremony? 

Your cap and gown! But do not arrive wearing your regalia. You will arrive holding your regalia and get ready in the student prep room. The University enforces regalia inspection to prevent students or guests from bringing barred items into the venue. 

Do not bring any items that will not fit in your pockets. There is NO place to leave items during the ceremony – The Quadrangle Room will not be "manned" or locked. Do not bring items for your guests/family members: you will not see each other before the ceremony.  

How long will the ceremony last?  

Typically, the ceremony lasts for just under two hours. The reception in the Texas Union Ballroom is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. 

What if my family or I have special needs? 

We will make accommodations for family members in wheelchairs and will also reserve rows in the back of the auditorium nearest the entrance for guests with limited mobility. There are wheelchair accessible spaces in the very back row as well as in the front row of Hogg, to the left side of the auditorium. 

Will the ceremony be livestreamed? 

Yes, for any guests or families who cannot attend in person, the ceremony will be livestreamed on YouTube. Link is forthcoming. 

Will there be parking available? 

The closest free University Parking Garage is the San Antonio Garage at 24th and San Antonio. A list of free parking garages for Commencement can be found here: https://commencement.utexas.edu/parking 

What about disabled parking? 

There will be limited Disabled Parking in front of the Hogg Memorial Auditorium for persons with state-issued handicapped permits. Guests with mobility impairment may also be dropped off at the front of Hogg Memorial Auditorium. 

Security Information 

Be sure to inform your guests that ALL commencement ceremonies enforce a clear bag policy. All guests are subject to search by security personnel. More information about items not allowed at the ceremonies can be found at https://commencement.utexas.edu/about/security-information 

Where and when is the reception being held? 

Immediately following the ceremony (approximately 11 a.m.), a reception will be held in the Texas Union Ballroom, right next door to Hogg Auditorium. This is an informal gathering. No tickets are required, and attendance is optional. Brunch refreshments will be on hand. This is fun time to celebrate with family, take photos, and say goodbye (for now) to classmates, professors, and Plan II staff.  

 

If any of your guests have questions, please direct them to email planiicommencement@austin.utexas.edu 

 

  

 

College of Liberal Arts Graduation 

Thursday, May 4, 2023 – 6PM – Moody Center 

The College of Liberal Arts holds graduation ceremonies each May to honor the undergraduates and candidates of the entire academic year. May 2023 participants include December 2022 graduates and May 2023 and August 2023 potential graduates.  

Attendance at the commencement ceremony is optional, but if you are completing a degree you must complete the application to graduate. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q:  Do I need a ticket?  

A: Yes, tickets are required.  Click to learn more. 

Q:  How long will the ceremony be?  

A: The College anticipates the ceremony will last approximately three hours. Out of respect for all graduates, please plan to be present until the end of the ceremony.  

Q: Do I need to wear a cap and gown? If so, where can I buy them? 

A: Academic regalia is required for all ceremony participants. Bachelor regalia may be purchased from the University Co-op. The tassel color for BA and BS graduates in the College of Liberal Arts is white. Bachelor's regalia should be ordered by April 14. Formal invitations to send to family and friends may also be purchased from the University Co-op. 

IMPORTANT VENUE INFORMATION

*2023 marks the first year the College will host its graduation ceremonies at the Moody Center.

SAFETY PROCEDURES FOR THE MOODY CENTER 

The university has safety procedures in place for all commencement ceremonies and venues. Backpacks, tote bags, or any bags larger than 12 inches in any dimension will not be allowed into the venue. In addition, all other bags, including purses, camera cases, and diaper bags, may be searched by security officers before visitors are permitted to enter the venue. Walk-through metal detectors are now located at every arena entrance. In order to increase the efficiency of this process, guests should minimize the number of personal items they bring and remove any items that may trigger the alarm before walking through the detectors. If an alarm sounds, the guest will be subject to a secondary screening.  

We strongly urge all graduates and guests not to bring bags to any ceremony unless they are absolutely necessary. Those visitors bringing small bags should expect delays in order to enter the venue, and those with prohibited large bags will be turned away. Please plan accordingly. Do not bring any packages that cannot be opened or inspected. 

Graduates should not bring personal items such as purses or coats to the ceremony. There is no secure area in which to leave them. We recommend carrying cell phones and keys on wrist bands or in clothing with pockets. 

PARKING 

For the latest updates to campus parking, please visit the university Commencement Weekend Parking page. 

ACCOMMODATION AT THE CEREMONY 

Accommodation requests for graduates or their guests should be made at least five business days prior to commencement activities. While every effort will be made, we may be unable to fulfill last-minute requests. Please address accommodation requests to colacommencement@austin.utexas.edu 

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS 

The University coordinates professional photos of each graduation candidate as they walk across the stage to be congratulated during COLA ceremonies. Graduates and families have the option of purchasing photographs. There is no obligation to do so. Flash Photography provides free color proofs to each graduate. Proofs are mailed to the permanent address within two weeks of graduation. If you do not receive your proof, or if you wish to place your order by phone or email, please contact Flash Photography at 1-800-410-8070 or at http://www.flashphotography.com/. 

If you have any specific questions that have not been answered on this site, you can email colacommencement@austin.utexas.edu  

2024 Commencement Ceremony

Plan II Honors Program 2024 Commencement

The ceremony was livestreamed. Watch on Youtube.

The digital program can be found here.