The GWC commencement ceremony is the annual formal graduation event where students receiving Associate Degrees or Certificates are honored.

For academic regalia, GWC maintains a structured system: the mortarboard cap and gown follow traditional academic costume conventions. According to the GWC Grad Program guide: the gown style varies by degree level — bachelor’s and master’s gowns differ slightly; doctoral gowns include velvet panels and bell-shaped sleeves.

GWC assigns tassel colors based on the type of award:

• Green — Associate Degree (AA/AS)
• Gold — Certificate of Achievement
• Green and Gold — for students receiving both an associate degree and a certificate.

Further, GWC uses a velvet‑facing “field color” scheme (on hoods, for applicable degrees) to signify the academic discipline. For example: “White” for Arts, Letters & Humanities; “Drab” for Business; “Apricot” for Nursing; “Golden Yellow” for Science; “Orange” for Engineering; etc.

In addition to cap, gown and tassel, GWC allows and issues special stoles and honor cords to represent student affiliations, honors, or participation in college programs. Eligible groups may include (but are not limited to) the Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society, EOPS Program, international students, student‑athletes, nursing, transfer students, etc.

This regalia system underscores the importance of visually distinguishing degree type (degree vs certificate), academic field, and special honors or affiliations — all within the traditional framework of academic regalia (cap, gown, tassel, hood/stole/cord when applicable).

Golden West College Graduation Regalia & Academic Dress Guide

Bachelor / Undergraduate Graduation (Associate or Certificate)

• Cap & Gown Color: Standard academic cap (mortarboard) and gown are used; gowns are typically black for baccalaureate‑level (or higher) degrees. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
• Tassel Color: Tassels for associate‑level graduates are Green when receiving an Associate degree (AA/AS). :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
• Certificate Recipients: For Certificate of Achievement graduates, the tassel is Gold. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
• Dual awards: If a student receives both an associate degree and a certificate, the tassel may be Green and Gold. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
• Honor Cords & Stoles: GWC offers special cords and stoles for various student groups — including honor societies (e.g., Alpha Gamma Sigma), program participants (e.g., EOPS, international students, student‑athletes, etc.), Veterans, nursing, transfer, military‑connected, and more. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Master’s / Advanced Degree Regalia

• Gown Style: For master’s (and higher) degrees the gown remains black; differences in sleeve and hood design distinguish master’s and doctoral gowns. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
• Hood & Velvet Facing: Master’s and doctoral hoods are used to represent degree level and academic discipline. The hood’s velvet facing and satin lining colors denote the field of study and the granting institution. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
• Field‑Color (Velvet) by Discipline: GWC assigns velvet “field colors” for academic areas:
  • Arts, Letters & Humanities — White
  • Business — Drab
  • Engineering — Orange
  • Science — Golden Yellow
  • Nursing — Apricot
  • Education — Light Blue
  • Music — Pink
  • Physical Education — Sage Green
  • Fine Arts & Architecture — Brown
  • Journalism — Crimson
  • Law — Purple
  • Theology — Scarlet
  :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
• Caps & Tassels: The mortarboard cap remains standard; for master’s graduates, tassels follow the institution’s guidelines (the general GWC guide indicates that short gold tassels are reserved for doctoral degree holders — implying bachelor’s/master’s tassels follow degree‑level color code as above) :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
• Honor Cords & Stoles: As with undergraduates, eligible master’s graduates may also wear special stoles or cords referencing honors, program participation, or affiliations recognized by GWC. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

Faculty & Other Discipline Regalia

• Faculty Regalia: Faculty or doctoral level regalia includes gowns with velvet panels and bars, and hooding that shows institutional and discipline colors. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
• Discipline‑Based Regalia Colors: Discipline colors (velvet hood facing) for all academic areas follow the “field color” chart used by GWC (e.g. Business is Drab, Science is Golden Yellow, Engineering Orange, etc.). :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

Special Notes & Use of Regalia

• The academic costume tradition at GWC — cap, gown, hood (if applicable), tassel, cords/stoles — aligns with classic academic‑dress conventions derived from medieval universities. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
• Only official GWC‑approved tassels, hoods, cords, and stoles should be worn; special cords and stoles are reserved for recognized groups and honors. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}

Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at Golden West College, you can reach out directly to the college's administration or the office responsible for commencement and student services. They can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding academic regalia.