College of Veterinary Medicine

What is Family Hooding

Western University of Health Sciences proudly offers our graduates the opportunity to have two adult family members/friends join them on stage to bestow them with the academic hood signifying their degree. At that special moment, you, the family hooder, will be honoring your graduate for their years of hard work. At the same time, by your presence on stage, you will be recognized for the contributions you’ve made along the way. It will truly be a moment of honor.

BEFORE THE CEREMONY:

• Review the instructional video online (see below) or watch and practice hooding in Room 101 at the Conference Center (next to the Pasadena Civic Auditorium) on the day of the ceremony.
• Your graduate will give you your Family Hooder Pass (only two per graduate), which you will need to access the Family Hooder Seating area.
• Only two family hooders will be permitted on stage.
• For safety and liability purposes, Family Hooders must be at least 12 years of age. Family Hooders between 12-17 years of age must be accompanied by an adult, and the adult chaperone will count as one of the Family Hooders. No exceptions will be granted.
• You will need to show your Hooder Pass to be admitted to the Family Hooder Seating area, known as the Loge.
• The Loge section is at the top of a long flight of stairs. If you have difficulty ascending and descending stairs please have your graduate indicate this on the Graduate Participation Form. Should you need assistance the day of, please inform a commencement assistant and they will be happy to assist you.
• Please leave any personal belongings with a family member in the general seating area or securely in your car before taking your seat in the loge; you will not be able to take your purse, camera or flowers/leis on stage with you. You must have your hands free to hood your graduate. WesternU and the Pasadena Civic Auditorium will not be held liable for any unattended, lost or stolen personal items.

DURING THE CEREMONY:

• It is important that you sit in the section indicated on your hooder pass. This ensures that you will be directed to go to the lobby at the appropriate time.
• Commencement assistants will alphabetize and escort you through the auditorium to the stage.
• You will be directed onto the stage just prior to the calling of your graduate’s name.
• An assistant will hand you a hood, you will then place it on your graduate’s shoulders.
  • A faculty member or trustee will hood the graduate should a family member not be present.
• After the hooding, you will pose briefly with your graduate for a photograph and then exit the stage.
• Your graduate will return to their seat and you will return to your seat in the Loge.

Entry into Pasadena Civic Auditorium

• Tickets are not required for the College of Veterinary Medicine ceremony.
• Seating is open and unassigned.

Family Hooder Passes

• Two family hooder passes will be issued to each graduate and will provide access to the family hooder seating area.
  • Graduates must request family hooder passes using the Graduate Participation Form.
• For safety and liability purposes, Family Hooders must be at least 12 years of age.
• Family Hooders between 12-18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult, and the adult will count as one of the Family Hooders. No exceptions will be granted.

For safety reasons, please observe the following restrictions.

• No signs, balloons, air-horns, strollers, bright camera lights or tripods permitted in the auditorium.
• Graduates and family hooders please leave all “carry-along” items (purses, cell phones, electronic devices, books, flowers, etc.) with family members or securely in your car. Graduates should not carry anything during the processional and family hooders will not be permitted to take personal belongings on stage.

Flower Leis

• Prior to the ceremony, you may drop off a lei at the Will Call Station for delivery to your graduate.

Doors Close 10 Minutes Before Each Ceremony

• Auditorium doors will open for guests one hour before each ceremony.
• Auditorium doors will close 10 minutes before the ceremony begins to clear the lobby and aisles to prepare for the academic procession (graduates and faculty marching in).
• The doors will reopen after the processional, national anthem and invocation (approximately 30 minutes).
• Late arriving guests will be seated immediately following the invocation.

Graduates Running Late

• Please remember that commencement is mandatory for all graduates! If you are afraid you’re going to miss the start of the ceremony, take a deep breath, then call or text the emergency number and leave your name, program and what we can expect.
• Emergency phone number for graduates. Call or text: (909) xxx-xxxx.  Please note, this phone is only monitored May 13, 14 and 15, 2020.

End of Ceremony

• Each ceremony will last approximately 2-3 hours. When making lunch/dinner reservations, allow for ample time for the class photo, diploma pick-up, and photos with guests following the ceremony.
• If you have completed all degree requirements, your diploma will be available for pick-up in Hall C (behind the Pasadena Civic Auditorium), after the class photo. You may also pick up your diploma on campus at the Office of the Registrar in the University Student Affairs Annex, second floor of the Harris Family Center for Disability and Health Policy (CDHP).
• Please remember that commencement is mandatory for all graduates! If you are afraid you’re going to miss the start of the ceremony, take a deep breath, then call or text the emergency number and leave your name, program and what we can expect.

To request accommodations in advance, a graduate may indicate their needs when they complete the Graduate Participation Form. Please note, only graduates have access to the form.

Should you need to speak to anyone regarding your request, the friendly staff at the Harris Family Center for Disability and Health Policy (CDHP) are available to assist you. Please contact:

LaDonna Cash, Administrative Associate | (909) 469-5492

WesternU’s commencement assistants will be on site and available to assist you with the following: