SUNY New Paltz Commencement & Academic Regalia Overview

State University of New York at New Paltz (SUNY New Paltz) hosts formal commencement ceremonies each spring, with more than 2,400 graduates expected at the 2025 ceremony. Students who plan to walk in commencement must order their cap & gown in advance via the official vendor (for example Herff Jones) — orders typically must be completed by early April. The standard academic regalia for undergraduates includes a black graduation gown and matching mortarboard (graduation cap) with a tassel, ensuring a uniform and dignified appearance across all graduates.

Graduates achieving academic excellence or membership in recognized honor societies or student organizations may wear approved honor cords, sashes, or stoles. These “cords of distinction” recognize achievements such as high GPA, membership in honor societies (for example Alpha Kappa Delta, Sigma Tau Delta, Beta Gamma Sigma among others), military or veteran service, peer‑mentorship programs, or philanthropic contributions through the senior class gift program. The colors of these cords and stoles vary depending on the society or recognition — for example, teal for Alpha Kappa Delta, black and red for Sigma Tau Delta, red/white/blue for veteran cords, and blue‑and‑orange or other combinations for philanthropic cords or service affiliations.

For graduate‑level degrees, academic regalia includes the gown, mortarboard or tam, tassel, and often a hood that features lining in the institutional colors (reflecting SUNY New Paltz) and velvet trim indicating the academic discipline. Master’s hoods and tassel colors vary by degree field — for instance, Master of Science programs use gold, while Master of Arts programs may use white or other colors depending on their discipline. Doctoral‑level and faculty regalia follow tradition: gowns with velvet panels or sleeve bars, larger hoods, and velvet‑trimmed caps or tams. The use of hoods, velvet, and specific tassel colors helps distinguish advanced degree holders and faculty from bachelor‑level graduates.

Faculty and staff participating in the ceremony wear regalia according to the highest degree earned, using velvet and hood colors appropriate to their discipline, maintaining the ceremonial standards of academic regalia. Whether bachelor, master, doctoral, or faculty — the coordinated use of graduation gown, graduation cap, tassel, hood, honor cords, and stoles ensures a coherent, respectful, and tradition‑rich commencement experience for SUNY New Paltz.

SUNY New Paltz Academic Regalia & Commencement Overview

The State University of New York at New Paltz, Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology, conducts annual commencement ceremonies to honor graduates across undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs. All participants are required to wear official academic regalia, including graduation gowns, caps, tassels, hoods, honor cords, and stoles. These elements are designed to reflect degree level, academic discipline, and honors, ensuring a formal and cohesive appearance during the ceremony.

Bachelor’s graduates wear a classic black graduation gown with a matching mortarboard (graduation cap). Tassels are generally black, while graduates who achieve honors may wear gold or designated honor cords. Approved stoles signify membership in honor societies, student organizations, or special achievements. Stoles typically include university colors or specific program colors, providing recognition while maintaining a consistent and professional look.

Master’s graduates wear black gowns with long, square sleeves and a mortarboard cap. Each master’s gown is paired with a hood featuring SUNY New Paltz’s institutional colors and a velvet trim representing the academic discipline. Tassels remain black, while honor cords or approved stoles may be worn by students meeting academic or organizational requirements. This combination distinguishes master’s graduates from undergraduate participants while preserving ceremony uniformity.

Doctoral graduates wear more elaborate gowns with velvet front panels and three velvet bars on each sleeve. Doctoral hoods are larger, lined with institutional colors, and trimmed with velvet in the discipline color. Caps may be mortarboards or velvet tams, with tassels that include gold or other distinctions based on degree requirements. Approved honor cords or stoles may also be worn for academic distinction or official recognition.

Faculty regalia reflects the highest earned degree and academic discipline. Standard discipline colors include golden yellow for sciences, orange for engineering and technology, white for arts and humanities, light blue for education, and other colors according to Applied Sciences and Technology programs. Faculty robes and hoods maintain formal ceremony standards and complement the graduates’ regalia.

Google Store-Style Listing Highlights

• Black cap & gown sets for all SUNY New Paltz graduates
• Gold honor cords and stoles for recognized academic or organizational achievements
• Master’s and Doctoral hoods with institutional and discipline-specific colors
• Doctoral gowns with velvet trim and optional tam cap
• Faculty regalia reflecting highest earned degrees and academic disciplines
• Cap, gown, tassel, hood, and accessory sets ready for formal commencement ceremonies