ORDERING CAPS & GOWNS

 

All students participating in commencement wear special academic regalia in the university’s distinctive red, white, and blue colors. This regalia includes a cap and gown (and a hood, for masters’ and doctoral degree recipients, applicable to the recipient’s area of speciality). Regalia is owned by Herff-Jones and was designed specifically for AU.

Purchasing vs. Renting Regalia

Some graduates (typically, doctoral degree recipients going into university teaching positions and who might need regalia for ceremonial occasions) opt to purchase regalia, which ranges from $400 to $700. The price depends upon the type of fabric and trim chosen. It takes eight weeks to process an order, and orders to purchase regalia are due March 10. Persons who purchase regalia, but whose order is not completed before our May 9 & 10 ceremonies, will need to rent regalia.

Becoming Eligible to Participate in Commencement

At the start of the last intended semester at AU, the student completes an Application to Graduate online. The application to graduate triggers a review of academic records to determine whether it is possible for degree requirements to be completed at the end of that term. Students whose records indicate they are on schedule to graduate at the end of the term for which they have applied are considered eligible to participate in commencement and will be mailed a postcard, typically in mid to late March (see Placing Your Regalia Order below), containing instructions on renting regalia online.

Students whose records indicate that degree requirements cannot be completed in advance of commencement must wait for a later ceremony and reapply for graduation at the appropriate time. These students will not have a link on their my.american account to order regalia.

The university strictly enforces the policy for participation in commencement. Students are responsible for maintaining an appropriate course load and completing degree requirements in time to be eligible for their targeted graduation. Only those students whose academic records indicate that they can satisfy degree requirements by the end of the term for which they have filed an application to graduate will be permitted to participate in the May commencement.

Latin Honors or University Honors

Undergraduate students who are projected to graduate with Latin Honors or University Honors, as of the end of Fall semester 2008, will receive a gold cord signifying academic achievement to wear during the commencement ceremony. Cords must be returned with the cap and gown.

The notation of Latin Honors and University Honors in the commencement program (and used to determine distribution of gold cords for use during the ceremony) is based on Fall semester grades, since commencement occurs before Spring semester grades have been recorded. The diploma and transcript are the only official means of certification and reflect all course work counted toward the degree. If a student is found to have met the requirements for Latin Honors or University Honors after Spring semester grades are applied, it will be noted on the diploma and transcript.

Placing Your Regalia Rental Order

Students who have been declared eligible to graduate will be mailed a postcard with further instructions on renting regalia. In order to ensure availability, on-time orders should be placed via the my.american portal by April 3 and will require a credit card. We will need your height and approximate weight, in order to ensure proper fit. Orders with missing information will not be completed. Orders received after April 3 are subject to availability and will be accepted via the my.american portal until April 31. To place an order after April 31, students should fill out a paper form in the Registrar's Office, then complete payment in the Campus Store. The rental fee for regalia is approximately $50 (bachelor’s), $85 (master’s), and $101 (doctoral regalia).

Picking Up and Returning Regalia

The location to pick up and return caps and gowns will be announced at a later date. Pickup will be during regular business hours from Wednesday, May 6, through Friday, May 8 and during the commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10. All regalia, except the tassel, must be signed in and returned by 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 10. Persons who do not return regalia will be charged the full purchase price.