Commencement Instructions for Graduation Candidates

You are receiving this email because you have applied for graduation in the fall 2024 semester. Fall 2024 Commencement will be held on Friday and Saturday, December 13 and 14, 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 Fall 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. Candidates and guests should also limit the type and number of personal items that they bring, as there will not be a place to store items during the ceremony.  In order to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for all in attendance, candidates should adhere to the Clear Bag Policy and also see the prohibited and allowed items list for more information. Belongings are subject to search upon entry to Strahan Arena.  Limiting the items brought into the venue expedites check-in.
Prohibited items may 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.

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

Shuttles will be available to transport candidates and guests. Shuttles will only pick up and drop off at designated stops. For arriving candidates and guests, shuttles will drop off 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 traffic, this could be as long as fifteen minutes. Shuttles will be available beginning one and a half hours prior to 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). Emails to secure tickets were distributed to all eligible candidates from Texas State Presents beginning on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. Candidates should have been able to secure up to 15 tickets. Tickets are only issued to candidates, who must then share tickets with their guests. The tickets can be printed or shown electronically. The maximum number of tickets each candidate may 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 will pick up a Reader Card which will show 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
Prior to 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. In order 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 in duration.

Regalia and Attire
Candidates should purchase Texas State branded regalia (cap, gown, and tassel) prior to commencement. Bachelor’s and master’s candidates may purchase regalia at the University Bookstore. 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 at a later date.

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

Each candidate will receive one printed copy of the Commencement Program on commencement day at Candidate Check-In. A limited number of programs will 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, December 16, 2024.

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

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

We look forward to celebrating with you soon!