What to expect at UT's commencement ceremony
UT's 141st commencement ceremony will be held at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium from 7:30-10 p.m. on Saturday.
AUSTIN (KXAN) -- University of Texas at Austin graduates will gather on Saturday, May 11 to celebrate getting their diplomas. Here's what to expect if you're planning to attend UT's commencement ceremony.
UT Austin's 141st commencement ceremony will be held at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium from 7:30-10 p.m. on Saturday.
Speakers include: retired Maj. Gen. Jeannie M. Leavitt, a UT alum who was the first female fighter pilot for the U.S. Air Force; UT President Jay Hartzell; and Helen Getachew, UT's student body president.
The university-wide commencement ceremony takes place after all the school and college-specific convocations, and the deans of each college and school will recognize graduates as a group, UT said in a release. The ceremony will also include the conferring of degrees by the president, the traditional lighting of the Tower in orange to honor graduates, and a fireworks display.
The university has several security-related policies, including a clear bag policy, however, small clutch bags or purses do not have to be clear if they do not exceed 4.5"x6.5". There's also a list of prohibited items, which can be found on UT's website.
There are also several items on the university's graduate and guest conduct guidelines list, which applies to all commencement events. It says, "speech, expression or assembly that disrupts or interferes with any aspect of the ceremonies is not permitted."
Another rule listed is, "heckling speakers, making noise that prevents others from hearing the event presentation, or otherwise interfering with the ceremonies’ planned events will result in removal from the venue."
It is worth noting that the university's campus over the last few weeks has seen several protests against Israel’s war in Gaza. Over 100 students were arrested between April 24 and 29 for criminal trespassing and other university rule violations.
Protesters have been calling for the university to divest from weapons manufacturing companies selling arms to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and that UT president Jay Hartzell resign. In a tweet during one of the demonstrations, Gov. Greg Abbott responded to the demands, saying, “This will never happen."
Some universities have implemented changes to their graduation ceremonies – with at least one university going as far as to cancel it – amid protests occuring at college campuses throughout the country.
UT has not yet indicated any change to its scheduled commencement.