Doctoral Candidate Instructions

Doctoral Hooding Commencement Grad Walks
Events Center
Thursday, May 13, 2021
9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

DOCTORAL CANDIDATE INSTRUCTIONS (for students)

Congratulations to you, the Doctoral Candidate Class of 2021! We look forward to celebrating your achievements with you! Please read these instructions carefully.

Before you arrive

  • Make sure your guests have their tickets before the event.
  • Make sure you and your guests have your validation information (negative test or full vaccination proof) before you get to check-in.
  • Make sure you tell your guests to meet you off campus after the event.
    • If you or your guests are staying on campus following the Grad Walk, cars must be moved to the M lots immediately after your Grad Walk.
  • Bring your regalia with you, ESPECIALLY your hood!
  • Remember that you will not be sitting in your seat after the stage crossing, so leave valuables at home. 

When you arrive

  • Arrive approximately 40 minutes before the ceremony begins to Lot G (parking lot behind the West Gym).
  • You may park in Lot G1, but again, you must move your vehicle IMMEDIATELY after your Grad Walk so the next group of graduates can park.
  • Check in at the “Check-In” tent in Lot G, then proceed to the “Line Queue Tent.” There will be signs and volunteers to direct you.
  • Receive your name card and wait for your faculty advisor to arrive. Coordinate with them as much as you can before the ceremony.
    • If your faculty advisor is sitting on the stage as a participant but will also be hooding you, make sure you go to the front of the first tent to sit in the front row.
  • When you are with your faculty advisor, stand socially distanced in line. Volunteers will be on hand to assist both you and your faculty hooder.
  • Make sure your faculty advisor is sitting to your left when facing the stage. They should walk/ enter the EC in front of you.

During the ceremony

  • When it is time to cross the stage, hand your name card to the name reader.
  • The faculty advisor will go up the stairs first; you will follow right behind.
  • Ascend the stairs, and walk forward to be hooded. Hand your hood to your advisor to hood you and stand on the YELLOW mark. There will be a picture taken here! If your hooder is not present, proceed forward to Provost Nieman who will hood you.
  • Walk forward to the next YELLOW mark to get your photo with the president.
  • Walk across the stage and carefully descend the platform, then turn left to exit the EC.
  • Pause at the backdrop to collect your diploma cover and have another photo taken.
  • Continue on to exit the Events Center and exit the premises completely so we can flip the Events Center for the next group.

Additional info for your guests

  • Anyone attending a Commencement ceremony (Grad Walk) this spring, must abide by the additional guidance in order to enter the venue. Make sure your guests are prepared by visiting binghamton.edu/commencement.
  • Masks must be worn at all times, even for photos on stage.