At Governors State University, graduates must order their academic regalia (cap, gown, hood where applicable, tassel) through an online vendor‑portal (via Chicago Balfour) ahead of commencement. The regalia package varies by degree level:
Faculty and staff also have the option to purchase or rent their regalia through the university, rather than relying on institution-provided gowns.
According to the GovState 2021 Commencement Program, the standard cap is a black mortarboard for most graduates; tassels are in black and white, which are the university colors. Some graduates earn braided silken cords for academic honors — gold for high honors, white for honors.
Gowns are differentiated by degree level:
The hood reflects both the institution (via lining) and the graduate’s field of study (via trim color), following the traditional academic‑regalia conventions.
GovState expressly permits only approved honor cords and stoles during the commencement ceremony — including cords or stoles signifying ethnicity, country of origin, or institutional honors.
In summary: Governors State University enforces a formal academic‑regalia policy for commencement. Graduates receive cap, gown, hood (where applicable) and tassel through official ordering channels. Tassel colors follow university‑standard black and white; honor cords/stoles are allowed but must be approved. Gown styles and hoods vary by degree level, and hood trim colors encode the graduate’s discipline.
Important: Ensure you order before the deadline and verify any cords or stoles are approved per GovState commencement policy.
Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at Governors State University, 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.