The acquisition of academic regalia, commonly known as the cap and gown, is a long-standing tradition marking the completion of an educational journey. Preparing for the commencement ceremony involves navigating specific requirements for this attire. The ensemble, which includes the robe and headwear, is standardized across institutions to maintain the event’s formality. Understanding the exact components provided helps prepare for graduation day logistics.
Standard Practice for Tassel Inclusion
When a student procures academic regalia as a complete package, the tassel is included with the cap and gown. This bundling is standard practice because the tassel is an integral part of the ceremonial uniform required for participation. Whether the set is obtained through a university rental program or a direct purchase, the three components—cap, gown, and tassel—are generally supplied together.
The tassel’s inclusion is tied to the central moment of commencement: the turning of the tassel. This symbolic movement signifies the transition from degree candidate to graduate, necessitating the item’s presence. Vendors and institutions recognize the tassel as a necessary element that completes the basic set of academic dress. The standard tassel is typically looped around the button at the center top of the mortarboard cap, ready for the ritual moment.
This standard practice ensures students are not left scrambling to acquire a separate item before the commencement procession begins. The typical tassel often features the graduate’s school color or the color corresponding to their specific field of study, known as the faculty color. The American Council on Education’s academic costume code outlines the specific colors associated with various disciplines, such as golden yellow for science and white for arts, guiding these traditional choices.
Graduates should confirm the tassel’s color aligns with their degree level and academic major, as dictated by the institution’s tradition. The basic set provides all the minimum required components for a student to participate fully in the formal ceremony. This expectation holds true across high school and university commencements. The tassel itself is usually made of rayon or silk, attached to a braided cord with a metal clasp or loop for secure attachment to the cap.
Understanding School-Specific Requirements and Accessories
While inclusion is the general rule, variations exist based on the specific institution and procurement method. Educational institutions sometimes mandate a separate purchase for the tassel to ensure uniformity and specific detailing. This separation often occurs when the school requires a specific year charm or a unique color combination not standard in the basic vendor package.
A major distinction arises between renting and purchasing the regalia. When a gown is rented, it must be returned to the vendor, but the tassel is typically retained by the student as a personal keepsake. In rental scenarios, the cost of the tassel is often itemized separately within the overall fee, making it a purchase rather than a rental component. This arrangement allows the graduate to keep a tangible reminder of the day, while the gown is reused.
Some schools require specialized tassels to denote membership in an honor society or academic distinction, such as summa cum laude. These specialized items are almost always acquired separately from the basic cap and gown set. Students must confirm if their graduation status requires a secondary tassel or if their academic distinction is recognized via a different accessory.
Checking school requirements extends beyond the tassel to other components of formal academic dress. Honor cords, stoles, and medallions are frequently worn over the gown to signify academic achievement, military service, or extracurricular involvement. These items are nearly always procured through separate departmental or organizational channels, not the main regalia vendor.
To guarantee the correct attire is obtained, graduates should consult the institution’s official commencement website or the campus bookstore. The Registrar’s office or the designated graduation coordinator are the most reliable sources for confirmation regarding required colors, specific vendors, and necessary accessories. Confirming these details early prevents last-minute confusion and ensures proper recognition of academic achievements during the ceremony.