Reed College

Reed College Commencement & Academic Regalia Overview

Reed College holds its annual commencement ceremony each spring on the Great Lawn of campus. For the 2025 class, the ceremony is scheduled for Monday, May 19, with a mandatory rehearsal the Saturday before. Seniors must submit an “Intent to Graduate” form by the published deadline to request robes and confirm their participation.

The college provides a cap and gown at no cost for all graduates who request them. The cap and tassel are given to the graduate permanently; the gown is returned after the ceremony. Graduates aiming for a master’s‑level degree (MALS) also receive a degree hood at Commencement, which they keep.

Reed’s publicly available commencement documentation does not include any official color‑chart for tassels, hoods, stoles, or honor cords. The cap and gown are generic; there is no stated mechanism for discipline‑based tassel or hood colors.

However, Reed does allow certain optional adornments tied to student identity or group affiliation — for example through the institution’s annual “Multicultural Graduation” program. Graduates who identify as students of color or are first-generation may receive a special stole to wear with their regalia.

In summary: Reed College’s commencement attire policy emphasizes inclusivity, simplicity, and accessibility. The college supplies cap, gown and tassel for all participating graduates free of charge; master’s graduates additionally receive a hood. There is no published standard for tassel or hood colors by discipline, nor a universal honor‑cord system. Optional stoles (such as for multicultural recognition) may be worn if issued by the college.

• Mortarboard cap, academic gown, and tassel — standard attire provided for Reed College commencement participants.
• Neutral black gown and cap design — uniform across all credentials, since Reed does not use a discipline‑color regalia system.
• Master’s‑level hood option available — for graduates earning advanced degrees (MALS), matching Reed’s hooding practice.
• Optional stole or honor‑cord friendly — supports approved stoles from college‑recognized groups (e.g. multicultural recognition) or other external cords if permitted.
• One‑set fits all graduates — simplifies regalia selection regardless of major, discipline, or degree level.
• Ceremony‑ready and photo‑ready — ideal for commencement procession, graduation photos, and long‑term keepsake use.

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