Preparing for Graduation: A Doctoral Hooding How-To
First Things First: Time + Place
The 2019 Doctoral Graduation Hooding Ceremony will take place at 1 P.M. on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Check in begins at 12 P.M. 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 Not Required
Guest Tickets are NOT required for the May Doctoral Hooding Ceremony on Thursday, May 23, 2019. However tickets are required if you choose to attend Main Commencement on Friday, May 24, 2019. Please see more details at the bottom of this page.
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 2018 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.)
Stony Brook University Main Commencement
Candidates who have completed the Ceremony Registration Form (CRF) will receive an email on May 13th to their Stony Brook account with instructions on how to obtain their three (3) guest tickets for Main Commencement to be held on Friday, May 24, 2019.
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.
