Southern Oregon University

Commencement Ceremony & Regalia Basics

SOU holds its commencement annually. Graduates can purchase required regalia starting early in spring term via the campus Bookstore. For bachelor’s degree recipients the required outfit includes a black bachelor’s gown, mortarboard cap and tassel; for master’s recipients, a black master’s gown, cap, tassel, and academic hood. A “Stole of Gratitude” is offered as an optional accessory for both bachelor’s and master’s graduates.

Cap, Gown, Tassel & Hood Details

The standard black mortarboard cap and gown with tassel is the official undergraduate regalia set. For graduate‑level degrees, the master’s gown and hood are required. The tassel color is determined by the graduate’s field of study (major), as indicated when ordering regalia. For doctoral degrees, tassels are gold. The Bookstore offers bundles of bachelor, master‑level regalia — with options to add hood, or the optional stole of gratitude.

Honor Cords, Stoles & Color Coding — What is Publicly Specified

SOU’s publicly available graduation regalia documentation does **not** define a general color‑coded scheme for honor cords, discipline‑based stoles or hoods beyond the required regalia. The only optional item explicitly listed is the “Stole of Gratitude.” No open chart lists colors for cords or stoles tied to honors, academic distinctions, or degree levels. Therefore, there is no verifiable public policy indicating that colored honor cords or discipline‑based stoles are standard for SOU commencement.

Conclusion — Verified Regalia Items Only

In short: Southern Oregon University requires a black cap, gown, and tassel (with hood for master’s) for commencement. Tassel colors vary by major, and doctoral tassels are gold. The optional Stole of Gratitude is offered. Because SOU does not publish a public color‑coded chart for honor cords, stoles, or discipline‑based regalia, any listing or description should reference only these officially documented items — cap, gown, tassel, hood (when required) — and treat additional cords or colored stoles as optional/non‑standard unless otherwise specified by the graduate.

Southern Oregon University – Official Graduation Regalia Guide

Graduates of Southern Oregon University are required to wear approved academic regalia — graduation gown, mortarboard cap, and tassel — when participating in commencement ceremonies. Below is a clear overview of what SOU publicly documents, and where official color codes or honor‑cord/stole policies remain unspecified.

Cap & Gown Requirements for Graduation

Each candidate must wear the official academic gown and cap as part of the regalia package for commencement. This applies equally to bachelor, master, doctoral or other credentials awarded by SOU.

Standard Tassel & Regalia Set

Graduation cap (mortarboard) + gown + tassel make up the standard regalia set for all graduates.

SOU does not publicly publish a catalog or chart specifying tassel or hood colors by degree, major, or program.

Honor Cords, Stoles, Hoods & Discipline‑Based Colors

No public discipline‑color chart: There is no accessible official mapping linking academic disciplines or degree types to specific tassels, hoods, stoles, or honor‑cord colors for SOU.
No documented standard for cords or stoles: SOU’s public materials do not define a uniform system of honor cords, stoles, or color‑coded hoods for honors or departmental recognition.
Vendor / Buyer guidance: Any regalia sets sold outside of official SOU channels should clearly mention that tassel, hood or stole color assignments are not defined by public documentation and should be verified with SOU Registrar or Bookstore prior to ordering.

Recommendations for Graduates & Regalia Sellers

Obtain the official cap, gown and tassel package approved by SOU for commencement participation.
Do not assume the existence of discipline‑specific colors for tassels, hoods, or stoles — these are not publicly codified by SOU.
If listing or purchasing additional regalia items (cords, stoles, colored hoods), treat them as optional/custom — verify color and eligibility with SOU Registrar or Bookstore before finalizing.

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