Dress Code and Decorum

Graduation is a formal academic occasion and should be viewed as such in dress and demeanor. The academic robe is black with a V neckline and will show part of your clothing underneath. The recommended dress therefore is similar to what you would wear to a formal interview. Thus you should be mindful of the following considerations:

• Dress clothing, preferably black or navy.
• Black dress shoes (or some other dark color).
• The gown should be mid-calf.
• No jewelry on or over the gown. Fraternity or sorority pins/ribbons may be worn; these are academic emblems and are not considered jewelry as such. Kente cloths are permissible as well.
• No flowers on the academic robe, and no flowers are to be carried.
• The mortarboard (academic hat) is to be worn with the front point over the forehead below the front hairline, so the flat board is parallel to the floor. (Not worn on the back of the head with the board pointing upward.) NO DECORATION OF ANY KIND IS TO BE PLACED ON THE MORTARBOARD.
• Honors students will have a gold and white hood, given at the same time as the cap/gown pickup. It is to be worn with the gold side out and the white inner lining turned out at the top, over the gold (like a collar). Gold cords would be worn under the honors hood.
• Candidates for the bachelor’s degree should come into the auditorium with the tassel on the right, hanging near the right eye. After the degrees are conferred, the tassel is shifted to the left side. The signal for shifting the tassel will be given by the President (and/or your faculty marshal).
• Candidates for the master’s degree will wear both the robe and hood. Faculty marshals will give you more specific information.
• Graduates will receive graduation picture information from Chappell Studio, Inc. A proof and ordering information will be mailed to the student's permanent address soon after commencement.
• Candidates should not chew gum or tobacco.
• Candidates should NOT have personal belongings in their possession during the commencement ceremony. NO CELL PHONES OR CAMERAS ALLOWED! If necessary, personal items can be left in Flanders Room #1 during the graduation ceremony, when the room will be locked. It will be unlocked when the ceremony is over and students may pick up their possessions at that time. SU will not be responsible for these items; students are therefore encouraged to leave valuables with family or friends.
• Air horns or other noisemaking devices are not permitted by graduates or guests and will be confiscated. Balloons and banners are not permitted inside the Civic Center during commencement. Photography is allowed from the seat only.

 GRADUATION DECORUM

Graduation ceremonies are, by their very nature, festive occasions. The festivity manifests itself in many ways including the dress of the students and faculty adorned in academic regalia and the warmth, joy and satisfaction of accomplishment. The ceremonies are also marked by seriousness where the actual conferring of degrees signifies long, hard work on the part of everyone involved: students, faculty, administrators, parents and spouses. As a consequence of the serious nature of the ceremony, students are expected to maintain a measure of decorum consonant with the occasion. Applause and other recognition of the conferring of degrees should be limited to a joint effort at the conclusion of each graduation group.  Students are expected to return to their seats after receiving their diploma, and to remain seated for the rest of the ceremony. Family and guests are asked to remain seated for the entire ceremony, refraining from leaving their seats in order to take pictures or to talk to graduates. No balloons, banners or noisemakers allowed.

NO NOISEMAKERS, BALLOONS OR BANNERS