The Salem campus of Kent State University participates in the unified Columbiana County Campuses commencement ceremony, typically held in spring. For example, the 2025 ceremony is scheduled for Friday, May 9, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. at Beaver Local High School Auditorium. Graduates must report to the staging area at 5:45 p.m., with a reception held earlier in the evening.

For commencement attire, all candidates — whether associate, bachelor’s, or higher degree — are required to wear the standard black graduation gown and black mortarboard cap. Caps should be placed flat or pinned so they appear level on the head. Under the gown, graduates must wear professional dress: dress pants or skirt, shirt/blouse (and tie if appropriate). Jeans, shorts or sneakers are explicitly disallowed.

Tassels (for bachelor’s or associate candidates) and hoods (for advanced degrees) are sold separately; the official campus bookstore or an approved vendor handles purchases and rentals.

As for honours: graduates earning institutional honours (Latin honours: cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude) receive honor cords, provided based on GPA and credit-hour criteria. The university emails eligible students with pick-up instructions.

While the Columbiana site does not publish a detailed colour-by-discipline chart for tassels, hoods or stoles, the broader system at Kent State follows standard academic-regalia colour conventions (common among US institutions). That means tassel/hood trim colours reflect the academic discipline or college granting the degree. For example, business might use “drab,” humanities “white,” sciences “golden yellow,” nursing “apricot,” etc.

Thus, students at Kent State Salem’s commencement present a unified appearance: a classic black cap and gown set, with tassels/hoods and optional cords/stoles signalling their academic major, honors, or degree level.

Kent State Columbiana Campus (Salem) – Commencement & Academic Regalia

Kent State Columbiana County Campuses hold a unified commencement ceremony each spring. All participating graduates are required to wear official academic attire: a classic black graduation gown and black graduation cap (mortarboard). The tassel or academic hood colour reflects the academic discipline or college granting the degree.

Regalia by Degree Level

Associate / Bachelor’s Degree

• Black graduation gown
• Black mortarboard cap
• Discipline-specific tassel (available separately at bookstore or vendor)

Master’s / Doctoral or Graduate Degrees

• Black graduation gown
• Academic hood with velvet trim indicating discipline
• Standard cap and appropriate tassel or hood styling

Academic Discipline Regalia Colour Guide*

• Architecture & Environmental Design: Blue-Violet
• Arts & Fine Arts: Brown; Music: Pink
• Arts (Humanities): White; Sciences: Golden Yellow
• Business / Entrepreneurship: Drab
• Communication / Information – Arts/Fine Arts/Science: Crimson; Library Science: Lemon
• Education, Health & Human Services: Light Blue
• Nursing: Apricot; Public Health: Salmon
• Technology / Engineering: Orange

Honor Cords & Stoles

Graduates who earn Latin honours or belong to recognized honor societies are awarded optional honor cords — typically presented at commencement. These cords or stoles may be worn along with the standard cap, gown, tassel/hood, and signify academic honours or organizational membership.

Regalia Ordering & Requirements

• Traditional cap and gown are required for all participants in commencement.
• Tassels, hoods, and cords are purchased or rented through campus bookstore or approved vendors — tassels sold separately.
• Professional attire under the robe is mandatory — dress slacks or skirt, blouse or dress shirt (and tie if applicable); jeans, shorts, or sneakers are not permitted.
• Honor cords are distributed to eligible graduates by the university based on GPA / honours criteria; cords are collected directly by notified graduates prior to commencement.

*Exact tassel or hood colour depends on your academic discipline. Confirm with Kent State Columbiana commencement office or campus bookstore before ordering your cap and gown set.

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