At Norwich University, graduates must order formal academic regalia in order to participate in graduation events.
For on‑campus (residential) graduates, the academic regalia order is handled via the campus bookstore / vendor (officially through Jostens), with a published ordering deadline (e.g., February 23, 2025 for the upcoming commencement).
For a Bachelor’s degree, regalia includes a bachelor’s gown, cap, and a black tassel with a graduation‑year charm.
For Master’s graduates, the set includes a master’s gown (with long, oblong sleeves), cap, black tassel with the graduation‑year charm, and a master’s hood. The hood contains a colored band that represents the graduate’s major (chosen during the ordering process).
The university holds a separate Hooding Ceremony for master’s candidates — typically a day before the main Commencement — during which the hood is formally placed over the graduate’s head by a faculty member.
For the hooding ceremony, graduates must wear business attire under the academic gown; bulky outer‑wear is discouraged. Military uniforms may substitute for regalia when applicable.
For Commencement itself, the full regalia (gown, cap, tassel; and hood for master’s) is required. Students are expressly told not to decorate their caps, and at certain points (e.g. National Anthem) caps must be removed — so a loosely pinned cap is advised.
Regarding color and specialty of regalia: Norwich University’s publicly accessible pages do not publish a full color‑chart for tassel colors, honor cords, stoles, or discipline‑based hood colors. What is documented is that the hood’s colored band represents the graduate’s major — but the exact mapping of major → band color is not made public.
There is also no public listing for honor‑cord colors, stoles, or additional regalia variations on the official site.
In sum: Norwich University uses a standard academic‑regalia model — bachelor’s and master’s sets with gowns, cap and tassel, plus hood for master’s; master’s candidates receive hooding at a separate ceremony. The hood’s colored band denotes major, but detailed public documentation on exact colors for tassels, hoods, cords or stoles is not available. Anyone needing specific colors should contact the university bookstore or registrar.
This listing outlines the official cap, gown, tassel and hood requirements for Norfolk University commencement ceremonies — useful for graduates, families, and regalia suppliers sourcing appropriate academic attire.
Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at Norwich 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.