Hartnell College

At Hartnell College, the commencement ceremony is held annually (as per their 2025 Commencement schedule). Graduates must wear official academic regalia: a cap, gown, and tassel — sold as a bundle by the college bookstore. Additional honor cords or “stoles of gratitude” are available for eligible students or as optional commemorative items.

The standard graduation gown color is a traditional black robe; the mortarboard cap and tassel accompany that gown. Caps and gowns are purchased (not rented) from the campus bookstore. The tassel may be bought separately if needed, but gowns are only sold as part of the full bundle.

For students who meet the honors threshold (GPA 3.25 or above), honor cords are available via the bookstore. In addition, Hartnell offers “Stoles of Gratitude,” a special stole that graduates may buy to honor someone who supported them — this is worn at ceremony but intended as a gift after. Cap decoration is allowed: graduates may personalize their mortarboard (decoration must lie flat and be respectful).

The college’s policy emphasizes that gowns must be purchased and worn properly, with appropriate attire beneath. For example, in certain programs (like Nursing & Health Sciences), gowns must be worn over professional clothing, and regalia such as cords, mortarboards, or leis are only for the graduation ceremony (not for other events like Pinning).

There is no publicly available documentation from Hartnell College that defines a discipline‑based color‑chart for tassels, hoods, or stoles by major or department. All regalia listed is generic: black gown & cap, standard tassel, optional honor cords or commemorative stoles.

In short: Hartnell College’s commencement regalia protocol is straightforward — a classic black gown and mortarboard cap with tassel, optional honor cords (for GPA‑based honors), optional commemorative stoles, and allowance for mortarboard decoration. There is no evidence of program- or discipline‑based color coding in tassels or stoles.

Hartnell College Academic Regalia – Cap, Gown, Tassel & Optional Honor/Stole

Official Hartnell College commencement attire — includes mortarboard cap, academic gown, tassel — with optional honor cords or commemorative Stole of Gratitude for graduating students.

• Black Graduation Gown: Traditional robe supplied to eligible graduates — part of required academic regalia for the commencement ceremony.
• Mortarboard Cap & Tassel: Cap and tassel included as part of the official regalia package required for graduation.
• Honor Cords (If Eligible): Awarded to graduates meeting the honors GPA threshold — optional, but recognized regalia accessory.
• Stole of Gratitude (Optional): Commemorative stole available for purchase — worn during ceremony for personal tribute and as a keepsake afterward.
• Cap Decoration Friendly: Graduates are allowed to decorate their mortarboard caps, provided decorations are respectful and lie flat.
• Flexible Purchase Options: Regalia is sold as a bundle (gown, cap, tassel) — but caps and tassels can also be purchased separately if needed.

Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at Hartnell 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.