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Regalia and Announcements

Intro

Graduates must wear regalia if participating in the ceremony. The recommended dress code for under the regalia is business attire.

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What Regalia to Purchase

Baccalaureate Candidates

Caps: Candidates for bachelor's degrees should purchase a blue mortarboard.

Gowns: Candidates for bachelor's degrees should purchase a blue gown with square sleeves.

Cords and Stoles: Candidates for bachelor's degrees may choose to purchase cords or stoles if the criteria for such items has been meet. Additional information and criteria are listed below.

Doctoral, Specialist and Master's Candidates

Caps: Doctoral candidates may purchase a black tam. Specialist and Masters candidates should purchase a black mortarboard.

Gowns: Doctoral candidates should purchase a black gown with a bell shaped sleeve and velvet bands. Master's and Specialist candidates should purchase a black gown with oblong sleeves.

Hoods: All Doctoral, Specialist and Master's candidates should purchase an appropriate hood according to the degree received. Hoods are trimmed with the colors of the institution and the color of your degree. Reference the color chart below.

Hood Color Chart

DegreeColor
D.N.P.Doctor of Nursing PracticeApricot
Ed.S.Education Specialist Degree in School PsychologyLight Blue
M.A.Master of Arts in HistoryWhite
M.A.Master of Arts in History - Public HistoryWhite
M.B.A.Master of Business AdministrationDrab
M.E.P.D.Master of Education in Professional DevelopmentLight Blue
M.S.Master of Science in Athletic TrainingGold
M.S.Master of Science in Communication Sciences & DisordersGold
M.S.Master of Science in Data ScienceGold
M.S.Master of Science in EducationLight Blue
M.S.N.Master of Science in NursingApricot 

Two Ways to Purchase Regalia

Online Ship to Home

If you are unable to come to campus, visit Jostens website for a full selection of cap, gown, tassels, stoles, announcements and more. Look for links to “Graduation Caps & Gowns” as well as “Affiliation Accessories” on their website. Order deadline is April 10, 2025

In The Bookstore

Beginning four weeks before the ceremony, regalia will be available for purchase from the University Bookstore. Items may be purchased as a full package or ala carte.

How to Wear Regalia

Cap and Tassel

  • The mortarboard cap should be worn horizontally to the ground (not tipped in any direction), with the point of the cap in the middle of the forehead.
  • Undergraduates wear the tassel on the right side of the cap until formal conferral during the ceremony.
  • Doctoral, Master and Specialist degree candidates wear tassels on the left side at all times.

Hoods

  • Doctoral, Master and Specialist degree candidates must purchase and bring their hoods for the formal hooding which occurs during the ceremony.

Cords and Stoles

  • Undergraduates may choose to wear cords and/or stoles, if applicable.
  • Doctoral, Master and Specialist degree candidates should not wear gold cords.

What to Wear Under Regalia

Dress comfortably. You will be at Commencement for about three hours. The event will be a combination of standing and sitting, so make sure you’re dressed comfortably enough for both. Graduates will walk on turf, up stairs, and down ramps. Business casual dress is recommended.

Don’t wear stilettos. Dress flats are recommended, but if you’re planning to wear heels, note that you cannot wear stilettos. You won’t be allowed to line up in the fieldhouse for commencement if you are wearing stiletto heels. Chunky heels and wedges are okay.

Don’t forget your regalia. Make sure you have your cap, gown, and tassel (and hood, for graduate students). Don’t wait until Commencement day to unwrap it. Take it out of the plastic, make sure you have everything, and hang it up to let some of the wrinkles fall out. (If you’re feeling ambitious, give it a steam.) 

Types of Cords and Stoles

Gold Cords: Academic Distinction (For baccalaureate candidates only.)
Baccalaureate candidates may purchase a gold cord based on the following GPA's. Cum Laude (3.2), Magna Cum Laude (3.5), and Summa Cum Laude (3.8).
Graduation with distinction is conferred at commencement exercises upon eligible students earning a first or second baccalaureate or associate degree. Eligibility is based on both the resident and the total GPAs as defined under Grade Point Requirements. A student must earn in both computations (resident and total GPAs) the minimum GPA required at each of the three levels of distinction listed below and a minimum of 30 credits in residence to be eligible. 
The announcement of graduation with distinction made at the commencement ceremony is based on all work completed prior to the student’s final semester; however, the actual conferral of graduation with distinction will be based on the student’s entire record, including the final semester.
Silver Cords: Honor Society Members
Baccalaureate candidates who are members of a UW-Eau Claire recognized honor society can purchase and wear the silver cords. A list of UW-Eau Claire honor societies can be found on this website.
Blue, White and Black Cords: Resident Assistants
The UW-Eau Claire Housing Staff will provide cords to graduates who are RA's in our residence halls. Reach out to Deb Newman at housing@v-lanterna.com for additional information.
Green Cords: Excellence in Sustainability Honors
Students must have accumulated a total of 10 points or more over the course of their undergraduate career, based on the criteria found on the SOS website.
Rainbow Cords: LGBTQIA+ Graduates
The Gender & Sexuality Resource Center recognizes LGBTQIA+ graduates by providing Rainbow Cords and hosting a Walking OUT celebration. LGBTQIA+ students are invited to contact the GSRC for additional information.
Royal Blue and White Cords: USCA Certification
Interested students must submit an application and complete the requirements for the USCA Certification. Eligible students receive them at the Senior Celebration for the Marketing and Supply Chain Department. Contact Dr. Lenita Davis for further information. 
Red, White and Blue Cords: Active Military or Veterans
Reach out to Miranda Cross-Schindler for additional information.
Teal Cords: First Generation or First in Family Graduate
Students who are the first in their family or first-generation graduates are identified by teal cords. Interested students must visit the Dean of Students office, located in 240 Schofield Hall, to self-identify and request cords.
International Stoles: 
International stoles can represent the country of origin for a student or the academic accomplishments of a student that has studied abroad. If you studied abroad, please consider purchasing a stole to represent that country. The following countries are available at the University Bookstore for purchase: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Poland, Puerto Rico, Scotland, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, United States of America. If your country is not on this list, please contact the Bookstore for a special order option.
Stoles of Gratitude:
A stole of gratitude can be purchased and worn during the commencement ceremony. After the ceremony, the new graduate presents the stole to someone who provided help or support during their college journey, like parents, relatives, or mentors who have helped with wisdom, words of support, or with financial assistance.
Student Athlete Stoles:
Student athletes who positively represent the university in the classroom as well as in intercollegiate athletic competition could be eligible to wear this stole. Student athletes who appear on a 澳门葡京网赌送彩金 varsity collegiate athletic roster for four or more seasons or who appear on a 澳门葡京网赌送彩金 varsity collegiate athletic roster during the calendar year in which they graduate could qualify. Please contact the president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics for additional information.

 

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Commencement