Graduation
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2026 Commencement Ceremony
**ALL COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING PLAN II'S COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY WILL ONLY BE SENT TO THE STUDENT'S OFFICIAL UT EID EMAIL ADDRESS. IF YOU ARE NOT RECEIVING COMMENCEMENT COMMUNICATIONS, PLEASE REACH OUT TO planiicommencement@austin.utexas.edu.
Date: Friday, May 8, 2026
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Hogg Auditorium
Contact: planiicommencement@austin.utexas.edu
Tickets Required: Yes, for guests. Students do not need tickets, but must register online to participate in their ceremony.
Post-ceremony Commencement Reception
Plan II Honors Program 2026 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 4 p.m. to 6 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 Thursday, May 7, 2026. You may also attend the university-wide ceremony on Saturday, May 9, 2026, 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 given up to FOUR (4) tickets. Seating is limited in the Hogg Auditorium, and this ensures that all students and guests have space to attend the ceremony.
Pending capacity and demand, additional tickets will be released on a rolling basis throughout the semester. Please keep an eye out on your official UT EID email for extra ticket releases.
May I have more than four tickets?
You may request additional tickets by emailing planiicommencement@austin.utexas.edu. There is no guarantee of additional tickets.
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 register for a COLA commencement ceremony is Saturday, April 12, 2026 at 11:55 p.m. Before registering for a ceremony, you must have an approved application on file. 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!
Can I attend more than one COLA ceremony?
If you are also eligible to attend another college’s graduation at the same time as Plan II’s ceremony, you will only be able to attend one of the ceremonies. We are unable to guarantee that you will be able to make more than one ceremony on the same day.
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 Texas Union at 12:50 p.m. on Friday, May 8. You will be welcomed in the prep room by our academic advisors, who will help answer any questions and get you ready to walk.
We strongly discourage you from bringing any personal effects, as anything you bring you must carry across the stage during the ceremony. Anything left behind will be placed in the lost-and-found. PLAN II IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR PERSONAL EFFECTS.
Where and when should my family gather?
Your family should gather outside of Hogg Auditorium. The doors will not open until 1:15 p.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 FRIDAY! 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?
NOTHING, except for your cap and gown! But do not arrive wearing your regalia. You will arrive holding your regalia and get ready after passing through security clearance between the Union and Hogg Auditorium. 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 set-up 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 4 p.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.
Will the ceremony be livestreamed?
Yes, for any guests or families who cannot attend in person, the ceremony will be livestreamed on YouTube.
The livestream link will be posted here closer to the day of commencement.
Will there be parking available?
All University Parking Garages will be free and open to the public during Commencement. The closest free University Parking Garage is 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 ADA parking?
There are very limited ADA Parking spaces in front of the Hogg Memorial Auditorium for persons with state-issued ADA permits. Plan II is unable to reserve these spaces and they are accessible on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage you to consider dropping off guests with mobility impairments at the front of Hogg Memorial Auditorium as it is unlikely these spaces will be available.
Security Information
Be sure to inform your guests that ALL commencement ceremonies enforce a clear bag policy. Guests without clear bags will be turned away. Please note that clear bags will be available in all UT parking garages during commencement weekend. All guests are subject to search by security personnel.
Prohibited Items
Any guests with noisemakers, signs, banners, etc., will be asked to return those items to their cars. Guests with prohibited items will be turned away by security. Please review all prohibited item information at https://commencement.utexas.edu/about/security-information and share with your guests/families.
Where and when is the reception being held?
Immediately following the ceremony (approximately 4 p.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. 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