COLA Commencement Ceremony 2025
COLA Ceremony
Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Moody Center
Contact: colacommencement@austin.utexas.edu
This ceremony is only for all COLA undergrads who do not have a departmental ceremony.
Timeline of Evening
4:30 p.m. -- Graduate check-in begins
5:00 p.m. -- Doors open for guests
5:30 p.m. -- Last graduate checked in
6:00 p.m. -- Ceremony begins
*graduates are expected to stay the entire ceremony*
Graduate Arrival + Check In
Please arrive no later than 5 p.m. Graduates may start lining up at 4:30 p.m. Graduates must be checked-in by 5:30 p.m. Graduates arriving after 5:30 p.m. will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony.
Graduates will check-in in the loading dock of the Moody Center and then head directly to the floor to find their seats. Please refer to this map for directions to the loading dock and details for your arrival. The Loading Dock entrance includes a more than 50-yard declining walkway that will lead graduates to their college and school gathering area. Low-heeled or flat shoes with traction are recommended.
Graduates should be carrying regalia, not wearing, until you are past the security screening in Moody. We will have an area for you to get ready after check-in.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need tickets?
Yes, tickets are required for all guests for this ceremony. Each graduate will be allocated 8 tickets for their guests. Graduates will secure these when they complete the required RSVP form. The RSVP form will be available in mid-February.
All guests over the age of 2 will need a ticket to enter the Moody Center and will have to go through security screening at the entrances. All seats will be first come first served.
If you plan to also attend the university-wide ceremony, this event has separate ticketing. Learn more about ticketing for the evening university-wide ceremony on the UT event site.
- Can I get more tickets?
If any additional tickets are available, graduates will receive an e-mail shortly after April 14 with further instructions. There is no guarantee there be additional, and they are on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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- Will there be a live stream?
Yes. The link to the livestream will be posted closer to the ceremony date.
- Will there be photos taken?
The University coordinates professional photos of each graduation candidate as he or she walks 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 flashphotography.com
- What should I bring?
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.
Guests, please review the venue policies listed below to see allowed items.
- Where do I park?
Manor Garage is the closest parking garage to the Moody Center. Parking will be first come first served. For more information, see the UT Commencement Parking website.
- Where do I park?
Manor Garage is the closest parking garage to the Moody Center. Parking will be first come first served. https://commencement.utexas.edu/content/parking
- How do I request accommodations?
Graduates will have the opportunity to request accommodations for themselves and/or their guests on the RSVP form. If you have specific questions, please contact colacommencement@austin.utexas.edu.
- What majors are celebrated at this ceremony?
African and African Diaspora Studies; American Studies; Anthropology; Asian American Studies; Asian Cultures and Languages; Asian Studies; Classical Languages; Classical Studies; Environmental Science (BS); Ethnic Studies; European Studies; French; French Studies; Geographical Sciences (BS); Geography; German; Health and Society; Human Dimensions of Organizations; Humanities; Iberian and Latin American Languages and Cultures; Italian Studies; Jewish Studies; Latin American Studies; Linguistics; Mexican American and Latina/o Studies; Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures; Middle Eastern Studies; Philosophy; Portuguese; Psychology; Psychology (BS); Race, Indigeneity, and Migration; Religious Studies; Rhetoric and Writing; Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies; Sociology; Spanish; Sustainability Studies; Urban Studies; Women's and Gender Studies
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Venue Policies
- Bags
For the health and safety of all guests, and to expedite the entry process, Moody Center requests that guests do not bring a bag to the arena. We strongly urge all graduates and guests not to bring bags to any ceremony unless they are absolutely necessary. A Clear Bag Policy is in effect to enhance existing security measures and expedite venue entry at Moody Center.
Approved Bags include:
- Bags that are clear plastic and do not exceed 14" x 14" x 6"
- One-gallon clear resealable plastic storage bags
- Non-clear clutch bags or wallets must not exceed 5" x 9" x 1.5"
Prohibited bags include:
Any and all bags that do not meet the criteria above including back packs, grocery totes, mesh or straw bags, duffle bags, diaper bags**, camera/binocular cases, and any other bags that arena staff deem to not meet the clear bag policy.
**Items normally carried in a diaper bag must be placed into a clear plastic bag for entry.
- Metal Detectors
Walk-through metal detectors are 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.
- Prohibited Items and Activities
Items include artificial noisemakers, large bags (see clear bag policy above), banners, flags, selfie sticks, umbrellas, cameras with detachable lenses greater than 10", GoPros, video cameras, camera tripods, drones, balloons, flowers in vases (flower bouquets are OK), outside food and beverages, coolers, pets (except service dogs), wagons, explosive and flammable materials, and any and all weapons (see Weapons Policy – SEC-E-513), tobacco products, alcohol, and bottles or cans of any kind, shape, or size, regardless of material and regardless of empty or full. Strollers need to be checked in at the West Gate.
Suspicious activity, disruptive patrons and guest-related problems should be reported to an usher or police officer immediately. After the event, please email info@moodycenteratx.com with all event day-related questions or concerns.
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