Dress Code and Decorum

Commencement is a formal academic occasion and should be viewed as such in dress and demeanor. The following guidelines are provided to help you prepare for your Commencement ceremony.  Graduates choosing not to abide by these guidelines will not be allowed in the Civic Center and may be escorted from the ceremony.  

Dress Code

The academic robe is black with a V neckline and will show part of your clothing underneath.  The recommended dress is similar to what you would wear to a formal interview. Graduates who are not dressed appropriately will be asked to leave the assembly area and will not be allowed to participate in the Commencement ceremony.  Please review the following guidelines:

• Dress clothing.  Shorts are not permitted.
• Dress shoes.  
• 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. Kente cloths are permissible as well.
• No flowers on the academic robe.  Flowers may not be carried.
• The mortarboard (academic hat) should 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 PERMITTED ON THE MORTARBOARD.
• Honors students will have a gold and white hood; hoods are distributed to honors students with the cap and gown. The hood is 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.

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 a solemn occasion; 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. Graduates 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.  

    Please note these additional rules:

• No alcohol or illegal drugs will be permitted in or around the Civic Center.  Graduates who appear to be under the influence of either will be removed from the lineup and will not participate in the ceremony.

• Candidates should not chew gum or tobacco.

• 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. 

• 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.

NO NOISEMAKERS, BALLOONS OR BANNERS