Graduate Student Information

If you plan to attend the ceremony, please contact your major professor as soon as possible, inviting him/her to assist you in the Hooding Ceremony at the Commencement Exercises. When confirmed, notify the Commencement Office immediately. It is most important that we know who your hooding professor will be. We must have this information no later than July 25, 2008.

The day of graduation, please meet in front of the stage at 45 minutes before the processional. The Doctoral Hooding Marshal, will answer questions and distribute name cards. Candidates should have their hood with them to place over the back of their chairs. Once the marshal has completed his instructions, he will organize the processional line.

In the event you will not graduate or cannot attend the Commencement ceremony, please notify us as soon as possible.

1. To insure proper fit of your hood, we suggest that men wear a dress shirt and women wear a blouse with buttons or a suit.

2. Hold the hood in your hand by the velvet at the narrowest point. The loop should be hanging straight down. Grasp the loop in your right hand and place the hood over your head so the loop continues to hang straight down in front of your neck.

3. Fasten the loop over a button on your shirt/blouse or jacket, or you may pin it in place. This will prevent the hood from pressing on your throat.

4. Midway down the back of the hood you will find another satin cord and loop. Fasten this loop around the button on the inside of the hood to prevent the hood from falling off your shoulders. This may require the assistance of another person.

5. Be sure to have someone "fluff" the back of the hood just below the button, i.e., turn the velvet side underneath to expose the satin colors on the inside.

1. Meet all degree requirements to be certified for graduation by your college analyst.

2. Pay all University fees. Following the close of the semester, determine if you have any outstanding debts with the Bursar's office (678-5579). Any financial obligation to the University will delay the release of your diploma.

3. Check your name on the "Program proofs" posted outside the Commencement Office (5th Floor, WIlder Tower) or on this website for correct degree, honor(s) designation, and spelling of your name as you want it on your diploma.

4. Compare your name in the central computer Student Identification System (SIS) with your diploma name. Name changes may be made through the Registrar's Office up to one semester following graduation with proper documentation. Any deviation from the name on the diploma and the name in SIS will result in the delay of your diploma until the name matches SIS.

5. Graduates submit Graduate Diploma Mailing Card and Career & Employment Services Survey Form online.

6. After Commencement, you may pick up a diploma cover in the Commencement Office. Office hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

7. Diplomas will be mailed out after October 1, 2008. Your Diploma will be mailed to the address you have given on the Diploma Mailing Card or to the address in the Spectrum System.