Know Before You Go

Date

• Friday, December 4

Location

• Reliant Arena (formerly NRG Arena) Address: 1 NRG Pkwy, Houston, TX 77054

Time 

There will be a morning and afternoon ceremony option. Graduates will only be able to attend the ceremony time they register to attend.

• • Morning Ceremony: 9 a.m.
    • 7 a.m.: Arrival time for graduates.
    • 8 a.m.: To manage traffic, guests will be admitted into the building no earlier than one hour before the ceremony.
    • 9 a.m.: Ceremony begins
      • The ceremony can last up to 2.5 hours. Please plan to stay until the end of the ceremony.
  • Afternoon Ceremony: 2 p.m. 
    
    • 12 p.m.: Required arrival time for graduates.
    • 1 p.m.: To manage traffic, guests will be admitted into the building no earlier than one hour before the ceremony. 
    • 2 p.m.: Ceremony begins
      • The ceremony can last up to 2.5 hours. Please plan to stay until the end of the ceremony.

Guest Details 

• Graduates will be able to invite guests to the Commencement ceremony. 
• Guest ticketing information will be sent out by mid-November. Regularly check your student email for updates.
• Children above the age of 3 are required to have a ticket.
• Guests will be admitted to the venue no earlier than one hour before the ceremony.
• To ensure a smooth and organized ceremony, guests are not permitted on the graduate floor or staging area. All guests, including children, must remain in designated seating areas and cannot be seated with graduating students. Unattended minors are not permitted. 

Parking and Venue Policies

Parking - Parking will be available in the Blue Lot (utilize Gate 9) on the corner of Kirby and Westridge. Type in the address: 8825 Kirby Drive, Houston, TX 77054 for specific driving directions. The parking fee is $25 (plus tax) per vehicle. Please note that the venue, Reliant Park, will transition to credit cards only for parking payment and will no longer be accepting cash.

Bag Policy - Reliant Arena Center enforces a bag policy to ensure the safety of their guests. Backpacks and large bags that exceed 11”x17” are not allowed. Necessary diaper bags and medical bags are subject to inspection before entry.

Prohibited Items - For the safety concerns of patrons, Reliant Park may refuse entry of individuals in possession of prohibited items including, but not limited to: all weapons and firearms, all handguns, air horns, video recorders, audio recorders, professional camera equipment, photography lenses over 3” in length, whistles, noisemakers, sealed packages of any kind, bottles, cans, coolers, containers, fireworks, Frisbees, inflatable objects (beach balls, swim equipment, etc.), illegal substances, laser pointers/pens, outside food or beverage (Exceptions are made for medical reasons and children), remote-controlled cars, Hoverboards, UAVs, Drones, binocular cases and camera cases. This list is in no way exhaustive, and other items may be prohibited at the sole discretion of Reliant Stadium Management.

ADA Accommodations

• Graduates: Graduates who need accommodations at the ceremony were advised to enter their needs on the registration form. Please check your email often for updates from HCC's Counseling and Abilities Services. 
• Guests: Disabled guests are encouraged to contact Reliant's Guest services and review the Accessibility Guide for details about accommodations.

Watch the Ceremony Live

On the day of the ceremony, your loved ones may visit hccs.edu/live to watch the ceremony live. 

An approved cap and gown is required to participate in the Commencement Ceremony. Below are the details on how to purchase an approved cap and gown. 

Purchase Online: Purchase cap/gown and other items here (announcements, frames etc). The deadline to purchase online with a standard shipping fee is October 30. The shipping fee will be applied at the time of purchase.

• Bachelor’s graduates can purchase their cap and gown at the Central Campus bookstore. Only the Central Campus Bookstore will carry caps and gowns for bachelor graduates.
• Day of Commencement: Graduates will have an opportunity to purchase their cap and gowns on the day of Commencement on December 4. 

Bachelors and Associate Degree candidates who meet the criteria below are eligible for Honor Cords for the ceremony. 

• Honors: 3.35 – 3.59 Cumulative GPA
• High Honors: 3.60 – 3.79 Cumulative GPA
• Highest Honors: 3.80 – 4.00 Cumulative GPA
• Considerations
  • Students completing a Certificate of Completion do not receive honor cords.
  • The cumulative GPA used for the Fall ceremony is through the Summer semester. 
    • Fall semester grades will not be considered in determining eligibility for honor cords. However, they will be reflected on your academic records. 
  • The Cumulative GPA for the Spring ceremony is through the Fall semester
    • Spring semester grades will not be considered in determining eligibility for honor cords. However, they will be reflected on your academic records. 

Prior to the ceremony, qualifying graduates can pick up Honor Cords at the HCC Bookstore locations. Qualifying graduates may also stop by the Honor Cords table on the day of the Commencement Ceremony.

• Caps/Gowns: As a reminder, navy blue caps and gowns are required to participate in the Commencement Ceremony.
  • Cap and gowns will be available for purchase from on the day of from the Bookstore Table.
• Download StagePass: Be sure to check your student email to download your StagePass, which will be used to check you in and when you line up to walk across the stage. It will be sent to your student email address one day before the ceremony. You can print it or show on your phone.
  • Please have your phone fully charged to avoid delays with check-in and crossing the stage. 

There will be a morning and afternoon ceremony option. Graduates will only be able to attend the ceremony time they register to attend.

Morning Ceremony Timeline

• 7 a.m. - Arrival time for graduates.
• 8 a.m. - To manage traffic, guests will be admitted into the building no earlier than one hour before the ceremony.
• 9 a.m. - Ceremony begins
• The ceremony can last up to 2.5 hours. Please plan to stay until the end of the ceremony.

Afternoon Ceremony Timeline

• 12 p.m. - Required arrival time for graduates.
• 1 p.m. - To manage traffic, guests will be admitted into the building no earlier than one hour before the ceremony. 
• 2 p.m. - Ceremony begins
• The ceremony can last up to 2.5 hours. Please plan to stay until the end of the ceremony.

Arrival and Check-in

• StagePass (ticket to enter the ceremony): StagePass is a graduate's ticket to enter the Commencement Ceremony. A StagePass will also be scanned when graduates arrive at Commencement and when they walk across the stage. A StagePass can be scanned or printed from a mobile device. Instructions to download your StagePass will be emailed on Thursday. 
• Ceremony Duration: The ceremony can last up to 3 hours. Please plan to stay until the end of the ceremony.
• Grad Celebration: Before the ceremony, snacks and water will be provided courtesy of the HCC Alumni Association. In addition, Student Life will have music, activities, and plenty of photo opportunities! 

Walking Across the Stage

• Proceed to the student staging area with your StagePass (QR code) ready. Staff will assist you and answer questions. Remember to return to your seat after receiving your recognition and stay until the ceremony ends. If you are using your phone to display your StagePass, please remember to keep your phone charged. 
• You will walk across the stage based on where you are seated. You will not walk in alphabetical order.
• It is important that you return to your seat after receiving your recognition and remain seated until the end of the ceremony. The ceremony can last up to 2.5 hours. Please plan to stay until the end.

• Parking is available in the Blue Lot (Gate 9) for $25 (plus tax) per vehicle. Type in the address: 8825 Kirby Drive, Houston, TX 77054, for specific driving directions.
• Reliant Park now only accepts credit card payments for parking. They will no longer be accepting cash.
• After paying for parking, you will be guided to designated parking spaces based on the area's availability. There will be plenty of signage to guide you, as well as parking attendants and officers from HCC PD who will assist you.

Graduates who need accommodations at the ceremony were advised to enter their needs on the registration form. Please check your email often for updates from HCC's Counseling and Abilities Services.

• Reliant Bag Policy: Only small bags under 11"x17" are allowed. Necessary diaper and medical bags are subject to inspection.
• Reliant Prohibited Items: Please review the full list of prohibited items on the Reliant Arena website, including weapons, firearms, large cameras, noisemakers, outside food or beverages (except for medical reasons and children), and more.

At the end of the ceremony, graduates will reunite with their loved ones and receive their exclusive, free Class of 2026 HCC Alumni shirts! 

• Please note that there will be no entry for guests without a ticket. Each guest must have a valid ticket on the Ticketmaster app for entry.
• Tickets are mobile-only so ensure you have the Ticketmaster app downloaded and your ticket ready to be scanned on the day of commencement.
  • Please be cautious of anyone attempting to sell tickets, as all official tickets are free of charge.
  • Need help? View tutorial on how to claim ticket your graduate sent you.
• Children above the age of 3 are required to have a ticket.
• To ensure a smooth and organized ceremony, guests are not permitted on the graduate floor or staging area. All guests, including children, must remain in designated seating areas and cannot be seated with graduating students. Unattended minors are not permitted. 

• Guests will be admitted into the venue no earlier than one hour before the ceremony.
• Guests will only be admitted into ceremony time of their graduate. If you are dropping off your graduate at their designated time, you will still not be admitted into the building until one hour before the ceremony begins.
  • 9 a.m. Ceremony | Guests will not be admitted inside until 8 a.m. 
  • 2 p.m. Ceremony | Guests will not be admitted inside until 1 p.m.
• To help ceremonies run smoothly, please be mindful of crowds when entering or exiting the arena. With two graduations scheduled back-to-back, we kindly ask all guests to follow posted signage, use designated exits, and avoid congested areas whenever possible.

• Parking is available in the Blue Lot (Gate 9) for $25 (plus tax) per vehicle. Type in the address: 8825 Kirby Drive, Houston, TX 77054, for specific driving directions.
• Reliant Park now only accepts credit card payments for parking. They will no longer be accepting cash.
• After paying for parking, you will be guided to designated parking spaces based on the area's availability. There will be plenty of signage to guide you, as well as parking attendants and officers from HCC PD who will assist you.
• If you need accessible parking, please ask onsite parking attendants and/or officers from HCC PD who will assist you.

• Guests can find details about accessible parking and venue features in Reliant's Accessibility Guide.
• Accessibility areas are on a first-come, first-served basis. Please arrive on time to secure your spot.
• Sign language and interpreting services will be provided at both ceremonies.

• Bags: Only bags smaller than 11"x17" are allowed. Necessary diaper bags and medical bags are subject to inspection.
• Prohibited Items: Please review the full list of prohibited items on the Reliant Arena website, including weapons, firearms, large cameras, noisemakers, outside food or beverages (except for medical reasons and children)

Following the ceremony, graduates will have the opportunity to reunite with guests and take photos. To ensure a smooth transition between ceremonies, please be mindful of crowd flow.

With two graduations scheduled back-to-back, all guests are asked to follow posted signage, use designated exits, and avoid gathering in high-traffic areas.

Watch here.