Regalia & Conduct Guidelines

In keeping with the spirit and dignity of the ceremonies, the University provides the following hooding and commencement guidelines. 

• All ceremony participants are required to wear full academic regalia consisting of a traditional black gown and mortarboard (cap) with a tassel. Gowns are to remain formal and unmodified, with no personal embellishments/decorations or other modifications. Optional items may include official sashes, cords, and leis approved by the University.
• Individuals are discouraged from decorating their mortarboards. However, if mortarboards are decorated, decorations must be minimal, non-distracting, and not otherwise interfere with the ceremony and/or other graduates and attendees.  Mortarboards can have expressions of well-wishes and gratitude or affiliation with University-recognized organizations. Any decorations must remain flat and cannot obstruct the view of others. Nothing can hang or dangle from the mortarboard other than the University-approved tassel. Decorations that have the potential to disrupt or interfere with the commencement or hooding ceremony are not allowed. Examples of decorations that are not allowed include, but are not limited to:
  • Threats, profanity, obscenity, or defamatory speech;
  • Communications that the University determines, in its sole, reasonable discretion, would violate the University’s applicable student codes of conduct, its harassment or discrimination policies, or otherwise would disrupt, interfere with, or detract from the spirit and dignity of the occasion.  
• The University reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to request that mortarboards or other attire that is inconsistent with these guidelines be removed.  
• Participants are prohibited from displaying flags, banners, or signs at any point during the ceremony to avoid disrupting the occasion. All personal belongings should be left in the participant’s seat or with the participant’s guests during the hooding or commencement ceremony. 
• Participants may not otherwise disrupt or interfere with the ceremonies, including but not limited to, engaging in conduct that would restrict or limit others’ ability to participate in the proceedings. While the University respects and upholds the rights of our community to peacefully assemble and engage in free speech, participants are also expected to comply with the University’s reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions, including conducting any demonstrations or other expressive activities in the areas designated by the University for free expression. As a reminder, the University’s current time, place, and manner restrictions, as described in a campus-wide communication on Friday, May 3, are:
  • Place: Designated area of Poteat Field
  • Time: 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
  • Manner: No sound or amplification devices. No chalking anywhere on campus. No tents or other structures. All other university policies remain applicable.

• Participants not in compliance with these guidelines may be asked to remove and/or conceal any unapproved regalia and/or adornments or be removed from the commencement ceremonies.