Information for Guests

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 ten 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.

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.

Guest Tickets

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

Ceremony

Location

All commencement ceremonies are held in the College Park Center unless otherwise noted.

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.

Late Arrival

Guests arriving more than ten 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.

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.

Photos and Videos

Photos

Flash Photography provides the official professional photography at all UT Arlington commencement ceremonies. Flash photographers will take two individual photographs of each graduate as he/she crosses the stage to be recognized during each School and College ceremony. Complimentary proofs will be mailed to graduates one week after the ceremony. Please direct questions and inquiries to Flash Photography.

During the ceremony, all guests must remain in their seats and are not permitted in the graduates' seating area, in the aisles or adjacent to the stage. Thus, personal photography inside the venue is not permitted except those photos taken from the guests' seat.

Personal photographs may be taken after the commencement ceremony. Designated photo spots with backdrops appropriate to the occasion will be available in several locations outside of the venue.

Videos

During each School and College ceremony, video will be recorded and shown on two large video screens on either side of the stage, providing an unobstructed and close-up view. Videos will be available to view on the Commencement Videos page.

Requests for Accommodation

Two large video screens on the stage will provide an unobstructed and close-up view of the ceremony. Designated handicapped seating for graduates is available upon request. Sign language will be provided during every School and College commencement ceremony. There are no elevators to the balcony in Texas Hall. Guests who require additional accommodation should contact the Box Office at 817-272-9595.


SEARCH
Congratulations, Class of 2012 Message from the President Schedule of Events Ticket Information About Commencement Directions & Accommodations Graduation Celebration Photos and Videos Contact Information Information For Graduates Guests Faculty	Information for Guests 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 ten 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. 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. Guest Tickets Candidates for graduation are encouraged to invite family and friends to help them celebrate their graduation. For details, see Ticket Information. Ceremony Location All commencement ceremonies are held in the College Park Center unless otherwise noted. 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. Late Arrival Guests arriving more than ten 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. 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. Photos and Videos Photos Flash Photography provides the official professional photography at all UT Arlington commencement ceremonies. Flash photographers will take two individual photographs of each graduate as he/she crosses the stage to be recognized during each School and College ceremony. Complimentary proofs will be mailed to graduates one week after the ceremony. Please direct questions and inquiries to Flash Photography. During the ceremony, all guests must remain in their seats and are not permitted in the graduates' seating area, in the aisles or adjacent to the stage. Thus, personal photography inside the venue is not permitted except those photos taken from the guests' seat. Personal photographs may be taken after the commencement ceremony. Designated photo spots with backdrops appropriate to the occasion will be available in several locations outside of the venue. Videos During each School and College ceremony, video will be recorded and shown on two large video screens on either side of the stage, providing an unobstructed and close-up view. Videos will be available to view on the Commencement Videos page. Requests for Accommodation Two large video screens on the stage will provide an unobstructed and close-up view of the ceremony. Designated handicapped seating for graduates is available upon request. Sign language will be provided during every School and College commencement ceremony. There are no elevators to the balcony in Texas Hall. Guests who require additional accommodation should contact the Box Office at 817-272-9595.
Contact Us · University Communications · Office of Records · Graduate School © The University of Texas at Arlington. All rights reserved.

Information For