Traditions of Academic Attire in Commencement Ceremonies

Academic Attire

The academic costume (better known as regalia) has always consisted of three parts: the gown, the hood (Master's and Doctoral degrees only) and the cap. It has traditionally been worn at commencement exercises as a record of the academic achievement of the participants. Its use originated in the Middle Ages, when all undergraduates were required to wear clerical robes similar in style to those of the regular clergy. This type of dress was appropriate since all students were expected to enter the ranks of the clergy. The colors on the robe and tassel represent the status and discipline of the wearer. Some schools, such as Harvard, use a distinctive color for the entire gown. In this country a color system was adopted in 1893 to identify the academic discipline in which the degree was earned. 

Cords distinguish those students who have earned Departmental Honors, University Honors, and/or who have graduated from the University’s Honors College. Graduates may wear as many cords as they qualify for. The colors, and the academic achievement they represent, are as follows: white, cum laude; silver, magna cum laude; gold, summa cum laude; purple, University Honors College; and red, Departmental Honors.

The tassels for bachelor’s and master’s degrees are usually black, while the tassels of the doctorate cap are usually gold. Traditionally, tassels are worn on the right side of the degree candidate’s cap; after the degree is granted, the tassel is worn on the left side of the cap.

Approved Stoles and Cords

STOLES

  • Adams Fellows
  • IAEM, the International Association of Emergency Managers
  • Panhellenic Executive Board that oversee Alpha Sigma Alpha, Alpha Sigma Tau, Delta Zeta, and Alpha Xi Delta
  • Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society
  • Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
  • Student Athlete
  • Student Government Association Board Member
  • Veterans

Fraternities

  • Acacia | Black, White, Yellow
  • Alpha Phi Alpha | Black, Gold
  • EPPIIC Journey Celebration | Black and Gold
  • Kappa Alpha Psi | Red, White
  • Lambda Chi Alpha | Purple, White, Green, Yellow
  • Lambda Sigma Upsilon | Light Blue, White, Black
  • Omega Psi Phi | Purple, Yellow
  • Phi Beta Sigma | Blue, White
  • Phi Delta Theta | Navy Blue, White
  • Phi Mu Alpha | Black, Yellow, Red
  • Tau Kappa Epsilon | Red, Black, White

Sororities

  • Alpha Sigma Alpha | Red, White
  • Alpha Sigma Tau | Green, Yellow, White
  • Alpha Xi Delta | Blue, Light Blue, Yellow, White
  • Chi Upsilon Sigma | Red, Black, White
  • Delta Sigma Theta | Red, White
  • Delta Zeta | Green, Pink
  • Mu Sigma Upsilon | Light Blue, White
  • Sigma Gamma Rho | Yellow, Blue
  • Zeta Phi Beta | White, Blue

CORDS

  • American Chemical Society-Chemistry Honor Society | Blue and Gold cord
  • CDRE MSEM Master’s Program-Order of the Sword and Shield Honor Society | Blue/Yellow double cord
  • Cum Laude | White Cord
  • Cygnus Society | Black/Gold medallion
  • Departmental Honors | Red Cord
  • Education Department iStem | Red, Yellow and Blue triple cord
  • Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) | Red, White and Blue triple cord
  • First Generation College Students | Gold, Blue, White
  • Gamma Theta Upsilon (GTU)-International Honor Society of Geography | Teal, Yellow, and Black triple cord
  • Magna Cum Laude | Silver Cord
  • National Society of Leadership and Success | Black and Platinum
  • Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society | Blue/Black/White cords
  • Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society | Blue and Gold double cord
  • Philanthropy Honor | Black and Gold double cord
  • Pre-Scholars Summer Institute | Black, Gold, White
  • Sigma Pi Sigma-Physics Honor Society | Green and White double cord
  • Society of Physics Students | Royal Blue and White double cord
  • Summa Cum Laude | Gold Cord
  • The Lancaster Partnership Program | Red, Gold, Black
  • University Honors College | Purple Cord