Commencement Reminders for Graduation Candidates

Spring 2024 Commencement will be held on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, May 9, 10, and 11, 2024. Please see the ceremony schedule to determine your college’s commencement ceremony date and time. Please read the following announcements carefully, as Texas State University does not hold a commencement rehearsal.

Location

The Spring 2024 Commencement ceremonies will be held indoors in Strahan Arena at the University Events Center on our San Marcos Campus.

Arrival and Parking

Candidates and guests should arrive one hour early. To ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for all in attendance, candidates and guests should review and adhere to Texas State’s Clear Bag Policy and the prohibited and allowable items list. Belongings are subject to search upon entry to the University Events Center. Limiting the items brought into the venue expedites check-in. Prohibited items will be confiscated.

Candidates must wait to put on their regalia (cap and gown) until they have entered the University Events Center. Candidates must carry their regalia into the building with or without a disposable bag.  There will not be a place to store hangers or garment bags during the ceremony.

As indicated on the directions, parking, and seating website, free parking is available to candidates and guests. The University provides accessible options for parking, shuttles, and seating for individuals with disabilities during all commencement ceremonies.

Shuttles will be available to transport candidates and guests. Shuttles will only pick up and drop off at designated stops. Shuttles will drop off for arriving candidates and guests at the Texas State marquee sign in front of the University Events Center.

When planning for arrival, please allow time for the shuttle to make its designated route. Depending on the traffic, this could be as long as fifteen minutes. Shuttles will be available beginning one and a half hours before the start of the ceremony, and the last shuttle leaves one and a half hours after the end of the ceremony. All shuttles are 100% ADA accessible.

Guest Ticketing

General admission tickets are required for all guests (candidates will not need tickets for themselves). Beginning on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, emails to secure tickets were distributed to all eligible candidates from Texas State Presents. Candidates should have been able to secure up to 15 tickets. Tickets are only issued to candidates, who must then share them with their guests. The tickets can be printed or shown electronically. The maximum number of tickets each candidate can secure is 15; no additional tickets will be issued.

All guests aged 4 and over must have a ticket to attend the commencement ceremonies.

***If you need assistance with guest tickets, please contact Texas State Presents directly.***

Candidate Check-In

Candidates should arrive one hour early and report to Gym 102 for candidate check-in. Signage will direct candidates to the check-in area.

At check-in, candidates can proceed to the robing area to put on their cap and gown and use mirrors and other supplies as needed. Restrooms are also available nearby. Candidates will pick up a Reader Card showing how their name will be read at the ceremony. Candidates should also pick up a diploma cover and commencement program. In addition, eligible undergraduate candidates will receive Graduation with Academic Honors cords free of charge. Candidates should carry their Reader Card and diploma cover to the stage, handing their Reader Card to the reader before they cross in front of the stage.

Candidates will then proceed to the arena floor to be seated. Only candidates are permitted on the arena floor.

Ceremony Components

Before the ceremony, candidates will seat themselves by level (bachelor’s, specialist/master’s, or doctoral). Candidates will not be in alphabetic order as their name is called according to their Reader Card. To expedite candidate seating, candidates will not be able to save seats for other candidates.

During the ceremony, candidates will cross in front of the stage while their name is being called. Candidates should only carry their Reader Card and diploma cover with them to the stage.

At the end of the ceremony, candidates will be directed by commencement staff to exit row by row using the staircase behind them. They will meet family and friends outside of the arena in Sewell Park.

Each ceremony is expected to last approximately one hour.

Regalia and Attire

Candidates should purchase Texas State-branded regalia (cap, gown, and tassel) before commencement. Bachelor’s and master’s candidates may purchase regalia at the University Bookstore or online. Though there is no deadline to order online, orders placed less than a week before commencement may require expedited shipping charges to ensure timely delivery. The deadlines for doctoral candidates to rent or purchase regalia through our vendor, Herff Jones, have passed. Please contact the University Bookstore directly for regalia options.

Live Streaming

Each commencement ceremony will be streamed live. The link to the stream can be accessed from the commencement website homepage during the week of commencement. Recordings of each ceremony will be archived for viewing later.

Commencement Program

We encourage all attendees to view or download the online version of the Commencement Program.

On commencement day, at Candidate Check-In, each candidate will receive one printed copy of the Commencement Program. A limited number of programs will also be available in the concourse for friends and family.

Additional Commencement Programs may be ordered for pick-up or delivery from Texas State University Print and Mail Services. A nominal fee will apply. The ordering system is now open, and programs will be available for distribution beginning on Monday, May 13, 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have additional questions, please view the Frequently Asked Questions website. For questions about the status of the Graduation Application, please contact your Academic Advising Center (undergraduates) or The Graduate College (graduate students).

If you have any general questions about the commencement ceremony, please contact commencement@txstate.edu.

We look forward to celebrating with you soon!