ReGAELia & Accessories
Academic Regalia
All Commencement participants are required to wear academic regalia to Commencement, and it is provided by the college for all graduates in good academic standing with no outstanding student account balances who pick up by the published deadlines.
Regalia is available to pick up at Grad Fair, order online. Did you miss Grad Fair? Regalia may also be picked up at the Grad Fair Make Up Day on May 6th in Claey's Lounge, Soda Activity Center.
Graduands may be awarded for academic achievements or for participation in recognized student organizations will receive communication directly with eligibility information and instructions for pick up (e.g. Honor Cords, Honors Medallions, etc.).
Academic regalia consists of a black cap & gown, graduating year red & navy tassel, and a school-specific hood embroidered with the SMC logo. Hood colors are determined by the School in which you are graduating. See the below table for your hood color.
| School | Hood Trim Color |
|---|---|
| Kalmanovitz School of Education (KSOE) | Education: Blue |
| School of Economics & Business Administration (SEBA) | Business: Drab |
| School of Liberal Arts (SOLA) | Arts: White |
| School of Science (SOS) | Science: Gold |
Step by Step Instructions
- Start by putting on your black gown over your Commencement outfit
- Put on your Latin Honors Medallion (if applicable)
- Put on your Honor Cord, Veteran Cord or Department Cord (if applicable)
- Drape your SMC stole, custom stole and/or any other approved affiliate stoles you wish to wear
- Lastly, put on your Hood - did you watch the video? Your academic hood not only represents your School, it also helps keep everything else in place
- The loop on the front of the hood may be placed over a button on a button down shirt, or it can be pinned to the clothing under your gown
- Leis of any kind should be worn on top of your Academic Regalia
- Lastly, you'll put on your cap:
- Line up the front point of your cap with the center of your forehead and pull back as you would put on a sports cap
- Many may find it helpful to attach a cap companion (available from Jostens) or a headband to the underside of the cap. Bobby pins are also or used to keep the cap in place
- Place your tassel over the button and on the right side of your cap
- After your have crossed the stage, the degrees will be conferred, and you will move your tassel from the right to the left near the end of the Commencement ceremony
- Start by putting on your black gown over your Commencement outfit
- Put on your Latin Honors Medallion (if applicable)
- Put on your Honor Cord, Veteran Cord or Department Cord (if applicable)
- Drape your SMC stole, custom stole and/or any other approved affiliate stoles you wish to wear
- Lastly, put on your Hood - did you watch the video? Your academic hood not only represents your School, it also helps keep everything else in place
- The loop on the front of the hood may be placed over a button on a button down shirt, or it can be pinned to the clothing under your gown
- You may wear discipline and/or your Honor Cord (if applicable) over your hood
- Leis of any kind should be worn on top of your Academic Regalia
- Lastly, you'll put on your cap:
- Line up the front point of your cap with the center of your forehead and pull back as you would put on a sports cap
- Many may find it helpful to attach a cap companion (available from Jostens) or a headband to the underside of the cap. Bobby pins are also or used to keep the cap in place
- Place your tassel over the button and on the right side of your cap
- After your have crossed the stage, the degrees will be conferred, and you will move your tassel from the right to the left near the end of the Commencement ceremony
- Start by putting on your black gown over your Commencement outfit
- Put on your Latin Honors Medallion (if applicable)
- Put on your Honor Cord, Veteran Cord or Department Cord (if applicable)
- Drape your SMC stole, custom stole and/or any other approved affiliate stoles you wish to wear
- After you are hooded on stage, everything will stay in place more easily, so pay attention to your accessories until then
- Leis of any kind should be worn on top of your Academic Regalia - try not to wear too many since you will be hooded. Leis can easily be added after you are hooded, if you leave them at your chair.
- Lastly, you'll put on your tam:
- Line up the front point of your tam with the center of your forehead and pull back as you would put on a sports cap
- Many may find it helpful to attach a cap companion (available from Jostens) or a headband to the underside of the cap. Bobby pins are also or used to keep the cap in place
- Place your tassel over the button and on the right side of your tam
- After your have crossed the stage, the degrees will be conferred, and you will move your tassel from the right to the left near the end of the Commencement ceremony
Doctoral Candidates are hooded on stage: Carry your hood with you draped over your right arm and present it to the faculty member who will hood you on stage.
- You will be offered a seat to sit in while you are hooded
- You will have only a few seconds to tuck in the hood string prior to your photo, so please do that before you rise for your photo. Unzipping your gown should not be necessary.
How to Wear your ReGAELia
Come to Commencement dressed in your academic regalia (hopefully you're already planning what you will wear under your gown, but you still have some time). Wear comfortable shoes and dress for unpredictable weather; it can be very cold in the morning and heat up during the day.
Greener Graduation
In an effort to promote greener graduation practices, customized stoles representing multiple affiliations are available to order through our partner vendors CollegeWear and Jostens. Kalmanovitz School of Education, School of Economics and Business Administration, School of Liberal Arts, and School of Science will not be providing stoles.
The gowns in Jostens Evolution Collection are made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, and our rentable Revive gowns are always made from recycled materials. We’re committed to being a responsible partner and making the world a better place for the next generations.
Order your academic regalia online beginning Thursday, March 6 through Friday, April 18 from our official Commencement Regalia partner.
