Graduating Ceremony Dress Code
Purpose of this Policy
Commencement is a formal academic ceremony of recognition and celebration, not just for graduates but also for their family, friends, and the entire academic community. In order to preserve the dignity and importance of the occasion, King University has developed this policy to establish uniformity in what is allowed to be worn as a part of a student’s commencement regalia.
Commencement Regalia Policy
Graduates participating in commencement are required to wear the complete official academic apparel adopted and approved by the University:
- Bachelor’s Degrees: A traditional black gown with open sleeves; a bachelor’s (3 ft.) hood with trim denoting degree and an interior lining consisting of the King University colors of blue and scarlet; and a plain black mortarboard cap with black tassel. Bachelor’s candidates should position the tassel on the right side of the mortarboard. After degrees are conferred, the tassel should be moved to the left side of the mortarboard.
- Master’s Degrees: A traditional black master’s gown with sleeves that are oblong in shape and open at the wrist, with the rear part of the oblong square cut while the front edge has a cutaway arc; a master’s (3.5 ft.) hood with trim denoting degree/discipline and an interior lining consisting of the King University colors of blue and scarlet; and a plain black mortarboard cap with black tassel. Master’s candidates should position their tassel on the left side, indicating they have already been awarded a bachelor’s degree.
- Doctoral Degrees: A traditional black gown with bell sleeves and black velvet bands on the sleeves (3 bands) and down the front; a doctoral (4 ft.) hood with trim denoting degree/discipline and an interior lining consisting of the King University colors of blue and scarlet; and a plain black mortarboard cap with gold tassel. Doctoral candidates will be hooded as a part of the commencement ceremony.
Graduates should wear business attire (jacket not required) under their academic apparel, with dark clothes and shoes recommended. Clothing is mandatory, as are shoes. Students will not be allowed to participate in the commencement ceremony with bare feet.
Graduates may wear up to three academic accoutrements (cords, stoles, sashes, medallions, etc.), of the graduate’s choice, at commencement ceremonies to represent:
- Academic honors, honors programs, and honor societies.
- Gold honor cords are reserved for those graduating Summa Cum Laude.2
- Graduates designated as Snider Honors Fellows will wear a medallion.
- Graduates who have been inducted into academic honor societies that are formally chartered and/or recognized by the University (and/or recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies) may wear academic accoutrements that are approved or supplied by the parent organization.
- International affiliation.
- International students will be provided with a stole indicative of the colors of their home country’s flag.
- Military affiliation.
- Red, white, and blue military cords will be provided to all graduates who have or are serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Other academic accoutrements may be allowed within the following guidelines:
- Primary representation of an academic discipline or field of study is solely by the trim of the academic hood. Other accoutrements representing an academic program of study are thus superfluous and not allowed.
- Sashes/stoles may not be wider than 5 inches. Medallions may not be greater than 3 inches in diameter.
- Sashes/stoles imprinted with the name of an organization or entity, the logo or initials representing an organization or entity, and/or the specific achievements of the wearer may not include any derogatory, offensive, or divisive language or symbolism, nor should they be disruptive or draw undue attention to an individual person or group that would detract from the dignity of the occasion.
Any accoutrements or modifications to the student’s academic apparel, such as flamboyant mortarboard decorations, that draw attention to an individual and detract from the dignity of the occasion are not permitted.
Requests for the use of new academic accoutrements must be submitted to the Honors and Honorary Degrees Committee for approval.
- Requests should be submitted at least one semester prior to the commencement ceremony when the accoutrement will be worn.
- Prior to submission to the Honors and Honorary Degrees Committee, requests should have the approval/endorsement Dean of the respective College or School or the equivalent senior administrator of the requesting organization.
Faculty participating in commencement ceremonies will wear the academic regalia as prescribed by their highest degree-granting institution. Anyone who presents themselves for participation in commencement who is attired in a way that is not consistent with this policy may be asked to make the necessary adjustments prior to the ceremony by the Chief Marshal or their designee. Failure to comply with such a request may result in the individual not being allowed to participate in the commencement ceremony.