Lighting tower configurations diagram.University officials will test the Tower’s various lighting configurations on Tuesday, March 27.

The test is scheduled for 6:30 a.m., and the Tower will return to its normal lighting configuration after the test.

While the standard lighting illuminates the Tower in Austin’s skyline most nights, a handful of other configurations convey signals of celebration, accomplishment or, sometimes, sorrow.

The lighting configurations include:

Tower entirely white

UT Tower in white lighting.

  • Standard Tower lighting configuration

Tower white with orange top

UT Tower in orang top lighting.

  • Football regular season victories
  • Football bowl game victories other than national championship
  • Other events at the president’s discretion

Tower entirely orange

UT Tower with entirely orange lighting.

  • Faculty academic achievements (Academic Convocation)
  • Student academic achievements (Honors Day)
  • Staff achievements (Staff Recognition Day)
  • Academic team achievements
  • UT’s birthday — Sept. 15
  • Commencement
  • Texas Independence Day — March 2
  • Big 12 Athletics Championship — all sports
  • Student organization sports club national championships
  • Other occasions at the president’s discretion

Tower entirely orange with #1 displayed

UT Tower in orange lighting with the number one illuminated on the sides.

  • National Championships
  • Other events at the president’s discretion

Tower orange with special effects (fireworks, numbering)

UT Tower with fireworks and numbers lit on the sides.

  • Commencement
  • Other occasions at the president’s discretion

Darkened Tower with white cap and observation deck (all other levels dark, including windows)

UT Tower with white cap.

  • UT Remembers (annual memorial service)
  • Tower Garden dedication
  • Significant solemn occasions
  • Other occasions at the president’s discretion