Cap and Gown Information

Cap and Gown Pick-up Time and Location

All candidates for graduation must wear appropriate regalia (cap and gown) at commencement.

1. You must pick up your pronouncer card before you pick up you cap and gown. Caps and gowns will not be issued to students without pronouncer cards. Only the graduate may pick up the pronouncer card.
2. Your cap and gown is ordered by your college analyst from information on your intent to graduate form.  Caps and gowns are rented by the University for the students only for the day of graduation.  There is no charge for rented regalia.
3. Students may purchase a cap and gown through the University Store by special order at least 2 months prior to the ceremony.
4. Because caps and gowns are rented, they must be returned to the company representatives immediately after the ceremony at the FedExForum.
5. All gowns are black. Male students receive a black robe and mortar board. Female students receive a black robe, mortar board, and a white collar.
6. Male graduates are advised to wear dress trousers in a dark color, a white shirt with tie, dark shoes, and dark socks.
7. Female graduates are advised to wear an appropriate day dress or slacks and comfortable dark shoes. You may need to bring bobby pins or safety pins with you to the ceremony in order to secure your mortar board or white collar.
8. Tassels are worn to the right side for the Processional. They are a gift from the University. No additional adornments should be worn with the cap and gown. Exceptions to this rule include honor pins and/or ribbons of University recognized national organizations.

Graduate Students

All graduate students need to complete the following:

1. Complete the on-line form on the Graduate School website
2. Fill in the hood color box on the form

DO NOT WAIT TO HEAR FROM YOUR DEPARTMENT ABOUT YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXAM RESULTS OR PROJECT DEFENSE BEFORE PLACING YOUR REGALIA ORDER. PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW!!!

1. To insure proper fit of your hood, we suggest that men wear a dress shirt and women wear a blouse with buttons or a suit.

2. Hold the hood in your hand by the velvet at the narrowest point. The loop should be hanging straight down. Grasp the loop in your right hand and place the hood over your head so the loop continues to hang straight down in front of your neck.

3. Fasten the loop over a button on your shirt/blouse or jacket, or you may pin it in place. This will prevent the hood from pressing on your throat.

4. Midway down the back of the hood you will find another satin cord and loop. Fasten this loop around the button on the inside of the hood to prevent the hood from falling off your shoulders. This may require the assistance of another person.

5. Be sure to have someone "fluff" the back of the hood just below the button, i.e., turn the velvet side underneath to expose the satin colors on the inside.