Graduation is an opportunity for fraternity and sorority members to celebrate both their academic achievement and the organizations that became part of their college experience. From graduation caps and gowns to stoles, honor cords, tassels, and other accessories, chapters can coordinate graduation products that help graduating members create a polished and memorable commencement look.
Graduation Products for Fraternity and Sorority Members
Graduating members may need traditional academic regalia as well as organization-related accessories. What can be worn during commencement depends on university policies, so students and chapter leaders should verify institutional requirements before ordering.Popular Graduation Products
- Bachelor’s graduation caps and gowns
- Master’s graduation regalia
- Doctoral graduation regalia
- Graduation stoles
- Honor cords
- Graduation tassels
- Academic hoods
- Diploma covers
- Graduation accessories
Graduation Caps and Gowns for Chapter Members
Members graduating with bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees should begin by confirming their university’s academic regalia requirements. Important details may include the gown style, color, matte or shiny finish, cap or tam, tassel, and degree-specific academic hood.Bachelor’s Graduation Regalia
Bachelor’s graduates commonly wear a traditional graduation gown with a mortarboard and tassel. Some institutions may specify particular colors or gown styles.Master’s Graduation Regalia
Master’s regalia typically differs from bachelor’s attire, particularly in the gown sleeves, and generally includes an academic hood. Graduates should verify the hood requirements associated with their degree and institution.Doctoral Graduation Regalia
Doctoral graduates may wear more elaborate academic attire, which can include a doctoral gown, academic hood, and approved doctoral tam or mortarboard. Requirements vary by university.Fraternity and Sorority Graduation Stoles
Graduation stoles are among the most visible accessories worn over academic gowns. A stole is draped around the neck with both ends extending down the front of the gown. When permitted by the university and organization, fraternity and sorority members may use stoles to recognize their chapter membership or shared graduation experience.Options for Coordinated Graduation Stoles
Depending on applicable permissions and available customization, chapters may consider:- Organization-approved colors
- Chapter identification
- Graduation year
- Approved lettering
- Approved symbols or artwork
- Member names when appropriate
Check Branding and Trademark Requirements
Fraternity and sorority names, letters, crests, logos, and other identifying marks may be protected intellectual property. Chapters should use properly authorized designs and suppliers when trademarks or licensed organization branding are involved.Honor Cords for Graduating Members
Graduation honor cords provide another way to recognize qualifying graduating members. Cords can be selected in approved colors and worn around the neck over the graduation gown when permitted. Organizations should establish clear criteria if cords are being distributed to recognize membership, leadership, service, academic achievement, or another distinction.Can Members Wear Multiple Honor Cords?
Some graduates may receive cords from several organizations or academic programs. Universities determine which cords and how many recognition accessories may be worn during the official commencement ceremony.Graduation Tassels
Tassels are an important component of traditional academic attire. They may coordinate with the graduation gown or use colors specified by the institution. Some tassels include a graduation-year charm. If a chapter is considering additional tassels for photos or celebrations, members should first determine what their university requires during commencement.Diploma Covers for Chapter Graduation Celebrations
Diploma covers can be useful for chapter recognition events, senior celebrations, award ceremonies, and graduation photographs. Before ordering diploma covers for a group, verify the approximate document size and orientation so the selected cover is appropriate for the intended certificate or diploma.Graduation Products for Chapter Senior Recognition Events
Fraternities and sororities do not have to limit graduation activities to the university commencement ceremony. Chapters can organize separate senior recognition events where members celebrate graduating brothers or sisters.Products for a Senior Recognition Event
- Graduation stoles
- Honor cords
- Tassels
- Diploma or certificate covers
- Graduation gowns for photographs
- Recognition accessories
Group Graduation Orders for Fraternities and Sororities
When several members graduate during the same semester, coordinating a fraternity or sorority graduation group order can simplify purchasing. Instead of every graduating member independently searching for products, a designated chapter leader can collect the required information and coordinate the order.Who Can Coordinate the Graduation Order?
Depending on the chapter’s structure, the order may be coordinated by:- Chapter president
- Vice president
- Graduating senior chair
- Programming chair
- Membership chair
- Alumni relations chair
- Chapter advisor
- Designated graduation coordinator
Step 1: Identify Graduating Members
Create a list of members graduating during the current semester or academic year. Include each member’s degree level because bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral regalia requirements can differ substantially.Step 2: Determine What the Chapter Is Ordering
Decide whether the group purchase will include complete academic regalia, recognition accessories, or both.Possible Group Order Categories
- Cap and gown sets
- Master’s regalia
- Doctoral regalia
- Graduation stoles
- Honor cords
- Tassels
- Academic hoods
- Diploma covers
Step 3: Verify University Requirements
If the chapter includes students from one university, confirm that institution’s commencement requirements before purchasing academic regalia. If members attend different schools, each graduate should independently verify the requirements of their own institution.Step 4: Collect Graduation Gown Sizes
Graduation gown sizing commonly uses height and may also incorporate weight, chest measurement, or other information depending on the manufacturer. Use the size chart for the exact gown being ordered rather than everyday clothing sizes.Group Size Collection Sheet
For each graduating member, collect:- Name
- Degree level
- Height
- Additional measurements when required
- Gown size
- Cap or tam requirement
- Hood requirement when applicable
- Accessories ordered
Step 5: Confirm Colors and Accessories
Before submitting the order, verify all gown colors, tassels, stoles, cords, and other accessories. For coordinated chapter items, make sure every member has selected the correct approved version.Step 6: Set a Chapter Ordering Deadline
Do not use commencement day as the ordering deadline. Establish an earlier chapter deadline that allows time to finalize quantities, process the order, receive the products, distribute them, and resolve potential sizing concerns. Customized products may require additional production time.Individual Orders vs. Chapter Group Orders
Individual Member Orders
Individual ordering can work well when graduates attend different universities or require substantially different regalia. Each member is responsible for confirming specifications, sizing, payment, and delivery.Chapter Group Orders
Group ordering may be more convenient when several members need the same graduation accessories or compatible regalia. It can also simplify the distribution of coordinated stoles, cords, or other chapter-approved products.Planning Graduation Products for Fall and Spring Graduates
Many chapters have members graduating at different times of the year. Instead of beginning from scratch every semester, maintain a simple graduation ordering system that future chapter leaders can reuse.Create an Annual Graduation Calendar
- Identify expected fall graduates
- Identify expected spring graduates
- Confirm university commencement dates
- Set chapter order deadlines
- Collect sizes and product selections
- Schedule distribution
- Plan senior recognition activities
Graduation Products for Fraternity and Sorority Photos
Even when certain accessories cannot be worn during official commencement, chapter members may be able to use appropriate items for separate graduation portraits or organization events, subject to applicable organization policies.Fraternity and Sorority Graduation Photo Ideas
- Graduating chapter members in caps and gowns
- Group portrait wearing coordinated stoles
- Members displaying honor cords
- Photos outside the chapter house when permitted
- Campus graduation portraits
- Graduate holding a diploma cover
- Senior class group photograph
- Individual cap and gown portraits
Ordering Graduation Products for Large Chapters
Large chapters may have dozens of graduating members. A spreadsheet or online form can make collecting information easier.Information to Track
- Graduate name
- Email or preferred chapter contact method
- Degree type
- Regalia size
- Product selection
- Stole selection
- Cord selection
- Quantity
- Payment status when applicable
- Distribution status
Graduation Products for Fraternity and Sorority Councils
Interfraternity, Panhellenic, multicultural Greek, NPHC, professional, service, and other campus Greek-letter organizations may have multiple graduating members or chapters requiring recognition products. Council leaders considering a larger coordinated program should determine which products are appropriate, how eligibility will be established, and whether university or organization approval is required.Common Fraternity and Sorority Graduation Ordering Mistakes
- Ordering before checking university requirements
- Assuming all graduates need the same degree-level regalia
- Using everyday clothing size for graduation gowns
- Choosing the wrong gown color or finish
- Assuming every stole or cord is permitted at commencement
- Using organization trademarks without appropriate authorization
- Failing to proofread customized products
- Waiting too long to collect member orders
- Not checking group quantities before submitting an order
- Waiting until graduation week to distribute products
Chapter Graduation Order Checklist
Before Placing the Order
- Confirm the graduating member list
- Determine each graduate’s degree level
- Verify university regalia requirements
- Collect accurate gown sizes
- Confirm cap or tam requirements
- Confirm academic hoods when applicable
- Select approved stoles and cords
- Verify customization carefully
- Confirm quantities
- Review delivery timing
