Purpose for the Special Ceremony
This special Hooding Ceremony adds to the graduation experience by making it possible to focus on advanced degree candidates and their accomplishments.  It allows graduate faculty and staff, family and friends a chance to witness the ceremonial hooding of the graduate student in a more intimate setting.  Please Note: This special Hooding Ceremony does not take the place of Commencement.  Graduate Students will continue to walk, receive their diplomas and have their degrees conferred at Commencement.  
 
History and Significance of the Graduate Hood
The origins of academic dress date back to the 12th and 13th centuries, when universities were taking form.  The ordinary dress of the scholar, whether student or teacher, was the dress of a cleric.  With few exceptions, the medieval scholar had taken at least minor orders, made certain vows and perhaps been tonsured.  Long gowns were worn and may have been necessary for warmth in unheated buildings.  Hoods seem to have served to cover the tonsured head until superseded for that purpose by the skull cap.  
 
Today, hoods are the most expressive component of the academic costume.  They serve to communicate the owner’s school, degree and field of study through their length and the colors of the lining and binding. Today’s hoods have evolved from a serviceable article of clothing to a type of elongated scarf draped over the shoulders and displayed down the back with the lining turned inside out.
 
UAA master’s degree graduates and candidates receive their hood because of the level of education they have pursued beyond the baccalaureate degree. The University of Alaska Anchorage’s colors are gold and green, hence these colors on the hood. The velvet trim on the hood signifies the scholar’s field. For example, a Master of Education recipient will have his gold and green hood trimmed in light blue; a Master of Science recipient will have his gold and green hood trimmed in golden yellow.

R.S.V.P. soon
You must R.S.V.P. online here if you are planning to attend and participate in the Graduate Degree Hooding Ceremony.

Date, Time and Location
The Graduate Degree Hooding Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium on the UAA Campus. 

 
NOTE: Students are to arrive at 9:00 a.m. for a rehearsal. We thank you in advance for being on time. Doors will open for family and friends at 9:45 a.m. 



Cap, Gown and Hood
If you are planning to attend the hooding ceremony, you will need to have a cap, gown and hood when you arrive for rehearsal. If you have not already done so, you may still purchase a cap, gown and hood at the UAA Bookstore. 
 
Caps, Gowns and Hoods ordered after April 17th will be subject to availability.
Please visit the main UAA Bookstore if you have questions.

Procession and Seating
Graduate students will proceed into the auditorium, where they will sit in designated areas by school and college as determined in rehearsal. 

Final Degrees
Participation in the Hooding Ceremony and Commencement does not guarantee degree conferral. Final credit reviews, for students graduating in May, will begin May 14, after the Spring 2007 grades have been received.