First Things First: Time + Place

The 2018 May Commencement Ceremony is at 01:00 P.M. on Thursday, May 17, 2018. Check in begins at 12:00 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

Tickets are NOT required for the May Doctoral Hooding Ceremony on Thursday, May 17, 2018. However, guest tickets are needed for Main Commencement on Friday, May 18th.

Access to the online ticket portal will become available on Monday, May 7, 2018 to all Candidates who have completed the Ceremony Registration Form (CRF) on SOLAR by Sunday, May 6, 2018 at midnight. Candidates who indicate attendance for Main Commencement on the CRF will receive an email to their Stony Brook account with instructions on how to obtain their three (3) guest tickets.

A live webcast of the May Commencement Ceremony will be available at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/sbu-live-events.

Questions? Concerns? We’ll have volunteers on hand to answer questions.

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 Hood Carry in Action

The Doctoral Hooding Stance

So there's technique involved in getting hooded. If you are taller than your adviser – 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 adviser’s chin, or shoulders.

The Doctoral Hooding Stance, Continued

An example of perfect technique. Her mortarboard makes it through entirely unscathed.

The Doctoral Hooding Stance, in Conclusion

If it helps, simply imagine your adviser as Robby the Robot, or T-Rex.

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 Commencement