The University of Texas at Arlington

Visitor Information

An academic commencement is a formal ceremony, where decorum and respect for the customs of the occasion enhances the experience for the graduates and their guests alike. Therefore, in accordance with hundreds of years of academic tradition, students, guests, and the platform party are asked to observe the following:

Protocol

• Graduates and their family and guests must arrive as scheduled to attend their School or College commencement ceremony.
• Doors open and guest seating begins one hour prior to the start of the ceremony.
• Possession of a ticket does not guarantee admittance. Anyone arriving more than 10 minutes late to a ceremony will not be permitted into the venue.
• All attendees must remain seated during the ceremony.
• Cell phones and pagers must be turned off.
• No food or drink permitted except those purchased at concession.
• All graduates and their guests are asked to remain for the entire ceremony out of respect for all University graduates.
• The possession or use of alcohol, noisemakers, firecrackers, balloons, flags, banners or illegal substances is strictly prohibited.
• Any graduate or guest who is excessively disruptive during the commencement ceremony will be excused from the venue.

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Who Participates

Students who have completed or are scheduled to complete their requirements for graduation in May are considered candidates for graduation and may participate in the May ceremonies. Students who have completed or are scheduled to complete their requirements for graduation in August and December are considered candidates for graduation and may participate in the December ceremonies. While the candidate for graduation does not need a ticket to attend, their family members and guests do.

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Guest Tickets

Candidates for graduation are encouraged to invite family and friends to help them celebrate their graduation. For details, see Ticket Information.

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Commencement Ceremony

Location

All commencement ceremonies are held in the College Park Center.

Guest Arrival Time

To allow for parking, the walk or shuttle ride to the venue, and ticket collection, it is recommended that guests arrive 60 minutes prior to the start of their student's School or College ceremony. The UT Arlington Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Tim Ishii, will provide music starting 60 minutes prior to each ceremony.

Bag Check

For security reasons, all bags including handbags, backpacks, diaper bags, etc. will be checked at the entrance of the College Park Center. Bags will be permitted upon inspection. To save time and keep the lines moving,  guests are asked to refrain from bringing large bags to the ceremonies.

Late Arrival

Guests arriving more than 10 minutes late will not be seated.

Seating for Guests

Bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree candidates will be seated on the floor level. Guests will be seated in arena seating. Wheelchair and handicapped seating is available upon request. Strollers are discouraged and not permitted in the aisles but can be checked in to the Box Office.

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Mementos

Before and after each commencement ceremony, representatives from the UT Arlington Bookstore and the Student Alumni Association will provide graduates and their families the opportunity to purchase commemorative items and roses.

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Photos and Video

For information on general ceremony coverage, as well as individual photos for purchase, please see Photos and Videos.