Preparing for Graduation: A Doctoral Hooding How-To
First Things First: Time + Place
The 2020 May Doctoral Hooding Ceremony is at 1:00pm on Thursday, May 21, 2020. Check-in begins at 12:00pm in the Pritchard Gymnasium. The arena doors open at the same time so, while you and your advisor line up, your guests can scope out seats in the arena.
Tickets
Guest tickets are not required for the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony, on Thursday, May 21, 2020. However, if you plan to attend the Main Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 22, 2020, tickets are required. Please be sure to complete the Ceremony Registration Form (CRF)
Tassel on the Left
The tassel goes to the left of the mortarboard and stays there for the entire ceremony. Easy!
Hood on the Left, Too
For ease and elegance, ALSO drape the hood over your left arm until it’s time to hand it over to your adviser. In sum, hood on left arm, tassel on left side of head. Right hand: free for bulletin carrying, celebratory high-fives, and autograph signing.
The Doctoral Hooding Stance
So there's technique involved in getting hooded. If you are taller than your advisor – or even about the same height – you must assume the proper doctoral hooding stance to ensure a quick, foible-free hooding: stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart and bend your knees, keeping your back straight. The top of your head should be level with your advisor’s chin, or shoulders. For a video of the 2019 Doctoral Hooding and Graduation Ceremony, please click here.
Ad Finem
After you receive your hood and make it through the recessional, that’s it! You will be officially graduated -- and a doctor! (Disclaimer: Your diploma will be mailed to you 4-6 weeks after the Graduate School clears your record.)
REMINDERS
A live webcast of the May Commencement Ceremony will be available at http://stonybrook.edu/live
Closed captioning will be available during the ceremony and accessible from any smart device by accessing: http://stonybrook.edu/closedcaptioning
Questions? Concerns? Please visit the Conferences and Special Events Website.