Regalia

A History of Commencement Regalia

Academic Gowns and Hoods

Gowns
The bachelor’s gown has a closed front and long, pointed sleeves. The master’s gown has a closed front with long, closed sleeves. The Doctor’s gown has open front and large bell-shaped sleeves with three velvet bars.

Hoods
The bachelor’s hood is short, with narrow velvet edging of the appropriate color (see Academic colors below) and a lining in the color or colors of the institution. The master’s hood is longer, has a wider velvet edging, and exposes more of the lining. The doctor’s hood has a wider velvet edging, wide panels at both side, greater length, and a fully exposed lining. The hood hangs to the back from the neck. A cord on the hood is then fastened to a button on the front of the candidate’s clothing. To avoid wearing the hood inside out, make sure that the velvet facing of the hood is visible under the chin and lies flat over the shoulders.

Academic Colors
Applied Mathematics, Engineering and Physics: yellow
Arts (including Humanities): white
Chemistry: golden yellow
Journalism: crimson
Music: pink
Science: golden yellow
Social Work: citron
Engineering: orange
Agricultural & Life Sciences: maize
Art: brown
Dance: sage green
Education: light blue
Fine arts: brown
Kinesiology: sage green
Occupational Therapy: green
Business: sapphire
Pharmacy: olive
Nursing: apricot
Human Ecology: maroon
Medicine: green
Philosophy: blue
Law: purple
Veterinary Medicine: gray
Public Affairs: teal

Academic Dress
The academic apparel worn by faculty and staff in the processional has its origins in the universities of the Middle Ages. Because the universities grew out of church schools, both faculty and students were regarded as part of the clergy, and wore clerical clothing based on monastic dress.

The head covering developed from the skullcap worn to protect tonsured heads in cold weather. In the universities, the skullcap acquired a point at the top which gradually evolved into a tassel. In Europe, the bonnet with a tassel is still worn, but has been replaced in America by the mortarboard cap or tam with a tassel.

The style of the gown may have been borrowed from the Benedictine monk’s habit. In the Middle Ages, those with bachelor’s and master’s degrees could be distinguished by the simplicity or elaborateness of their gowns. The master’s gowns were often furred, a decoration surviving as the three velvet bars now used on the sleeves of the doctoral gown.

The hood was originally worn over the head in bad weather, and otherwise dropped onto the shoulders. First worn by faculty and students, the hood is now added to the apparel of those with master’s and doctoral degrees. The color of the velvet trim on the hood indicates the scholarly field, for example, dark blue (philosophy), golden yellow (science), light blue (education), etc. The colors of the satin lining are those approved and authorized by the college or university from which the degree was earned.