Fall Graduation 2022 Frequently Asked Questions

UA Little Rock Hooding and Commencement Ceremonies – Fall 2022

The UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law Fall 2022 Hooding Ceremony will take place in the Friday Courtroom on Friday, December 16 at 6 p.m. for graduates, friends, and family. The Hooding Ceremony is a special recognition ceremony for masters or doctoral degree candidates. During the ceremony, a faculty member places the doctoral hood over the head of the graduate, signifying their success in completing the graduate program. A reception will follow.

Not able to be at the hooding in person? Join us by Zoom: https://ualr-edu.zoom.us/s/87074545001

The UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law Fall 2022 Commencement ceremony will take place at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, December 17 at the Jack Stephens Center. This is in conjunction with Main Campus.

How can I order my regalia and announcements?

Orders for regalia can be places online or through the UA Little Rock bookstore beginning October 19th. All orders places online will be shipped to home. The last day to order and have shipped to home is November 13th.

Online ordering can be done starting October 19th at www.ualr-law.shopoakhalli.com.
Need announcements? Order here: herff.ly|UA Little Rock

The prices for the regalia are below:
Tam, tassel, hood and gown- total with tax is $152.05

How do I get there and where do I park?

The Jack Stephens Center is accessible off 28th Street via Fair Park Boulevard or University Avenue. Because of expected traffic congestion, early arrival is suggested, as it will take time to park and find a seat.

Guests are encouraged to park in the lots nearest the Jack Stephens Center — Lot 13, Lot 14 and Lot 15. However, all interior campus parking lots will be open during commencement, including the parking deck and Lot 8. For more information on the location of these lots, please refer to the Campus Map.

The Trojan Trolley will be available in Lots 14 & 15 with designated pick-up locations.

What time do I need to arrive for the ceremony?

Details to follow as we get closer to the event.

How many guests may I have at the ceremony?

We do not limit the number of guests per graduate. Seating is first-come, first-served. Seating areas for guests will be clearly designated.

What about wheelchair access?

There is a special seating area in the Jack Stephens Center for guests with disabilities. To help these guests and since the number of seats are limited, early arrival is suggested. For more information, please contact the UA Little Rock Disability Resource Center.

The Trojan Trolley will be available in Lots 14 & 15 with designated pick-up locations.

How do I know if I will graduate with honors?

All honors designations are based on cumulative grade point average as follows:

  • Summa Cum Laude – 3.70 and above
  • Magna Cum Laude – 3.50 to 3.6999
  • Cum Laude – 3.30 to 3.4999 (Adopted 10/4/2013)

A final determination is made once all grades are received for the last semester of school and class rankings are determined. The honors designation will be printed on the diploma and noted on the student’s final transcript. Graduates will wear the appropriate colored stole based on their honor received.

Where do I pick up my tam and gown for the ceremony?

Unless shipping to your home, law school regalia can be picked up from the Career Services Office on the first floor of the law school, during the regular business hours.

What about additional attire?

Additional regalia worn by some graduates represents membership in societies, associations, and organizations. If graduates fall under any of the following categories listed below, they can pick up their graduation cords and/or stoles in Bowen Room 204 beginning December 14.

  • Summa Cum Laude
  • Magna Cum Laude
  • Cum Laude
  • Law Review members
  • Law Review Editorial Board
  • Bowen Scholars
  • Dean’s Certificate of Service
  • Dean’s Certificate of Distinguished Service
  • Advocacy (Moot Court and Trial Team)
  • Military Veteran

These cords and stoles are not gifts and may not be kept. They must be returned back to the Dean’s office (204). All other student organization cords and stoles will need to come from the student organization’s president.

What are some tips for dressing comfortably on commencement day?

It is okay for men not to wear a jacket. The tie and shirt collar will show, but the robe covers a jacket.

For women, an unbuttoned collar can be unruly, so a skirt or slacks with a T-shirt/sweater/shell may be more comfortable. Low-heeled shoes are recommended so graduates can easily climb the stairs and walk across the stage. The procession will be moving briskly.

Where do graduates go before the ceremony?

Graduates will report to the Derek Fisher Court where graduates will be greeted by staff from the Dean’s office. Graduates will confirm an index card containing their full name, phonetic spelling and contact information. Graduates will then line up alphabetically.

What happens before the ceremony?

12:20 p.m. Graduates arrive prior to the ceremony to be robed and to fill out the index card that will be given to the announcer when you walk to the stage. He or she will announce your name. Graduates will then learn how to drape a hood over their arm, so there will be no fumbling on stage.

12:40 p.m. Group photo

1:00 p.m. The Processional promptly begins.

What happens during the ceremony?

At 1:00 p.m., the music will begin and graduates will begin the march into the Jack Stephens Center arena down the center aisle following the Faculty Marshal. Graduates will proceed to the front of the arena to take their seats. Graduates will march and sit in alphabetical order.

Graduates will then stand, one, alphabetized row at a time, starting in alphabetical order, and proceed quickly to the podium to hand their card to the Announcer (right in front of you, to the right of the stage).

Graduates will then be handed their “diploma” (actually the diploma cover) and will shake hands with the Dean. Graduates will then depart the stage on the left (opposite from where they entered) and proceed back to their seat.

A photographer will be taking photos for graduates during the ceremony as they are hooded and accepting their diplomas.

After each graduate has received their diploma, graduates will then stand and proceed out of the arena, following the faculty and marshals.

What happens after the ceremony?

2:30 p.m. Recessional occurs and the ceremony has ended.

*You must return the provided stoles/cords to the Dean’s office at Bowen Law School.

Will I receive my diploma at the ceremony?

No. Final grades will not be in before the commencement exercises. Graduates will, however, receive a leather diploma cover. The law school’s registrar will let graduates know via email (your ualr.edu email address) when the diplomas have been delivered. In the email, graduates will be given the choice to pick up their diploma at the Bowen Registrar’s Office or have the diploma mailed to them. The diplomas are expected to be ready the first week of March.

What about the graduation program?

The official program will list everyone who graduates. This list is prepared by the Bowen Registrar’s Office.

What about photographs?

A professional photographer will take photos when graduates shake the Dean’s hand. Family and friends are not allowed on the arena floor before of during the ceremony.

  • Graduates will be given an index card when they arrive to be completely filled out. This card will be used to announce each graduate’s name during the ceremony.
  • This card will be given to the photography company in order to contact graduates about photos.
  • Photo proofs and ordering information will follow from the photography company if graduates provide their email on the card.
  • There will also be a designated area to the left of the stage in the arena where a photographer will be stationed to take additional photos of graduates with family, friends, faculty, etc., after the ceremony.