Letter From the Dean

Caps and Gowns

Diplomas

Disability Services Seating & Parking

Faculty Information

General Alumni Association

Local Visitors Bureaus

Parking Information

Photography

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Speaker

Student Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Helpful Phone Numbers

Main Commencement

Letter from the Dean

January 2008

Dear Graduates:

Congratulations to all of you on the successful completion of your graduate studies! As you reflect on this important accomplishment and your time at Carolina, I believe you will view this as one of the most meaningful and rewarding times in your life. The Graduate School's Doctoral Hooding Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 10 at 10 a.m. at Memorial Hall on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus.

Each graduate student who participates in this ceremony will be called to the stage to have the hood of the commencement regalia conferred by his or her advisor or dissertation committee chair. Family and friends are invited to attend this ceremony.

Graduate students are also encouraged to attend the University-wide commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 11.

For questions about the Hooding Ceremony contact the Graduate School.

Again, I extend my warmest congratulations to you on your academic achievements. As you make your way into the world, whether in an academic or other professional setting, I wish you the greatest success in your endeavors.

Linda Dykstra
Dean of the Graduate School

Hooding Speaker

The 2008 Hooding Ceremony speaker will be Dr. Wayne J. Pond.

Dr. Wayne J. Pond graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1966 and a Master of Arts in 1967 in English Literature from Brigham Young University. He earned a Ph.D. in American Literature from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1976. Dr. Pond has published extensively and serves as an education consultant at numerous universities and centers.

From 1979 to 1997, Dr. Pond served as the Director of Public Programs at the National Humanities Center in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. As Director of the Center, he produced 862 editions of Soundings, a weekly, nationally-syndicated books-and-ideas radio program featuring interviews with scholars, writers, journalists, novelists, poets, and visitors at the National Humanities Center. These weekly broadcasts were aired on commercial stations, National Public Radio, and the Armed Forces Radio Network.

Dr. Pond joined the Program in the Humanities and Human Values as Associate Director in 1997 and was appointed Director in 2004. The Humanities Program is the principal means of public outreach of the College of Arts and Sciences at UNC Chapel Hill aimed to nurture deeper understanding of our history and culture. Through numerous seminars, workshops, and conferences including the Adventures in Ideas weekend, the Program contributes to the development of a more humane world.

>> top of page

Student Information

In March, all May doctoral candidates, and last year's August and December graduates, will receive an electronic invitation to the Hooding Ceremony. Please RSVP by the deadline posted within that e-mail. Participating students may obtain four (4) guest tickets for the Hooding Ceremony. For more information please see Frequently Asked Questions. Participating faculty in regalia do not need tickets.

Caps and Gowns

Regalia for the PhD graduates will be available to purchase.

Click here for more information on regalia sales.

(Prices below are subject to change.)

Keepsake Doctoral Regalia can be purchased online or at Student Stores after April 25 for $65.99.

Commencement announcements can be purchased through Herff Jones.

Questions about generic announcements should be directed to UNC Student Stores, 962-2427. Generic announcements may be purchased at Student Stores.

Diplomas

Doctoral diplomas will be available for distribution immediately following Commencement, on Sunday, May 11, until 2 p.m. unless your department is having a departmental ceremony.

Disability Services, Seating and Parking

Services for guests with disabilities are available. If you require accommodations, special seating, parking, interpreter services, etc., please contact the Department of Disability Services, SASB – Suite 2126, Campus Box 7214, (919)962-8300 (TDD).

Faculty Information

Faculty and Deans who are attending the Hooding ceremony and wish to march in the academic processional, should line up at 9:30 a.m. in front of New West.

Faculty are expected to wear full academic regalia. If you wish to rent or purchase academic regalia, you can arrange to do so by calling Eve Bradshaw in Student Stores at 962-2427. Faculty who hold Carolina doctorates may also purchase distinctive Carolina regalia through Student Stores.

Reserved parking for faculty and members of the Platform Party will be in the Bynum-Steele Lot and the Swain lot.

>> top of page

General Alumni Association

You are invited to become a member of your General Alumni Association at a special half-price rate. As our graduation gift to you, we are offering a one - year membership for $20 or a $50 discount on a lifetime membership in the GAA. Membership includes an annual subscription to the Carolina Alumni Review, access to Alumni Career Services, the opportunity to participate in local regional alumni clubs and many other benefits. For more information on membership, e-mail membership@unc.edu or call (919) 962-0742.

Local Visitors Bureaus

The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau  and the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau Web sites provide information on local lodging, restaurants, scheduled events, shopping, tours, and area resources.

Parking Information

Parking for guests attending the Ph.D. Hooding Ceremony on Saturday, May 10 will be available in most campus lots. They include the Morehead Lot on Franklin Street, Emerson Drive and Davis Library Drive, the Old East Lot, the N-7 lot on Pittsboro Street as well as the N4 Cobb Tennis Court lots off Raleigh Street. Guests needing parking accommodations for the elderly or disabled should contact the Office of Disability Services at 962-8299 or 962-8300.

Reserved parking for faculty and members of the Platform Party will be in the Bynum-Steele Lot and the Swain lot.

>> top of page

Photography

Professional photographers from Chappell Studios will be on stage at the Hooding Ceremony to photograph each student as they are hooded. Free proofs will be mailed to you and online viewing will be available at www.chappell.com. There are no fees and there is no obligations to purchase photographs.

>> top of page

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Graduating students who have borrowed a Federal Stafford Loan while attending Carolina must complete Stafford Loan Exit Counseling. Students should go to www.mapping-your-future.org to complete an online Stafford Loan Exit Counseling session. The Office of Scholarships and Student Aid will be notified automatically once you complete the online session. Please save the confirmation page for your records.

Graduating students who have borrowed a Federal Perkins or Health Professions Loan or any long term University Loan must complete Exit Counseling by accessing the ECSI website. Students may contact the Office of Student Accounts & University Receivables at loans@unc.edu with any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need tickets?

Yes. Tickets will be needed for the 2008 Graduate School Doctoral Hooding Ceremony. Each candidate will be limited to 4 tickets each. Tickets will be distributed through the Memorial Hall box office beginning in April and ending on May 10. The box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The box office will open again on Saturday, May 10th from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Any unclaimed tickets will be distributed on a first come - first served basis beginning at 9:30 a.m. Please contact disabilityservices@unc.edu if special accommodations are needed for you or your ticketed guests.

2. What time do graduates need to be there?

The 2008 Graduate School Doctoral Hooding Ceremony will be held in Memorial Hall. The Ph.D. processional will form across the street from Memorial Hall on the New West lawn. Students and their faculty advisors should arrive no later than 9:00 a.m. in full regalia.

3. How long does the ceremony usually last?

About two hours.

4. Can I be hooded during this Ceremony but not officially graduate until
later this year?

No. Only candidates who have met all degree requirements for a May graduation (and August and December graduates from the PREVIOUS academic year) will be hooded at each Hooding Ceremony. Once you officially graduate in a future semester, please e-mail graduationcandidates@unc.edu and request an invitation to the following years Hooding Ceremony.

5. What happens if it rains?

The check-in process may be moved indoors, but the 2008 Graduate School Doctoral Hooding Ceremony will be held in Memorial Hall rain or shine.

6. Where do we park?

Parking for guests attending the Ph. D. Hooding Ceremony on Saturday, May 10 will be available in most campus lots. They include the Morehead Lot on Franklin Street, Emerson Drive and Davis Library Drive, the Old East Lot, the N-7 lot on Pittsboro Street as well as the N4 Cobb Tennis Court lots off Raleigh Street. Guests needing parking accommodations for the elderly or disabled should contact the Office of Disability Services at 962-8299 or 962-8300.

Reserved parking for faculty and members of the Platform Party will be in the Bynum-Steele Lot and the Swain lot.

7. Is there handicapped parking?

Contact Disability Services with requests for handicapped parking or seating. Office of Disability Services, SASB – Suite 2126, 962-8300.

8. Will they call out my name?

Yes. Doctoral candidates will be individually recognized.

9. How do I find out when my department is having its ceremony?

Please check the website soon to see the departmental schedule.

10. Where do I get my diploma?

Doctoral diplomas will be available for distribution immediately following the Sunday, May 11th, Commencement until 2 p.m. unless your department is having a departmental ceremony.

11. Is there housing on campus for Commencement?

No, housing is not available on campus for parents and guests. A list of hotels in the area is available on the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau and the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau Web sites. 

Helpful Phone Numbers

>> top of page