Update (6/12): The helicopter filming has been rescheduled for Saturday from 5:30-8:30 a.m. and 6-9 p.m. UT communications now says the illuminated "1" is to celebrate the Longhorn Men's Golf Team winning the NCAA Championship.
The UT Tower will be lit up orange tonight and tomorrow not to celebrate a sports win or major academic achievement – but to get its picture taken.
UT-Austin's marketing branch contracted with a company that plans to fly around the tower in a helicopter to shoot what is likely to become promotional video.
A UT spokesperson says the tower will be illuminated orange with the number '1' formed with lit windows. The helicopter film crew plans to take video from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. tonight and from 5:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Friday. The crew may also film Friday night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The notification was sent out to UT-Austin faculty, staff and students so they wouldn't be alarmed by the helicopter flying so close to the tower.