SUNY Old Westbury Commencement & Academic Regalia Summary

SUNY Old Westbury holds a single annual commencement ceremony for all graduating students at a major venue, with participants required to wear full academic regalia. Graduates collect their cap, gown and tassel in advance at the campus Commencement Celebration expo, typically held about two weeks before the formal ceremony. The standard undergraduate and graduate regalia come from the school’s official vendor; bachelor- and master-level graduates wear black gowns and mortarboard caps, while doctoral and faculty wear robes consistent with traditional academic attire.

For bachelor’s and master’s degree candidates the graduation gown is black, paired with a black mortarboard cap. The tassel typically is black or may carry an institution-medallion accent depending on the vendor. Master’s gowns include academic hoods whose lining colors reflect the institution and whose velvet border signifies the academic discipline. Honor cords, stoles, or program sashes are permitted, subject to approval. Graduates may wear stoles or cords for honors, student organizations, or special affiliations, provided the additions remain tasteful and in line with commencement guidelines.

For doctoral graduates and faculty, more elaborate academic regalia is used: doctoral gowns feature velvet front panels and sleeve bars, while doctoral hoods are longer and display both institutional and discipline colors. Caps for doctoral degree holders may be mortarboards or velvet berets (tam-style), with tassels that may differ in color or include a medallion emblem. Honor cords, stoles, or special recognition cords (such as alumni philanthropy cords) can complement the regalia when allowed under the institution’s rules.

SUNY Old Westbury’s commencement policy allows graduates to customize modest adornments — stoles, cords, sashes or ribbons — but prohibits any decorations that are disruptive, offensive or obstructive to others’ view. All regalia must comply with the university’s academic dress code, ensuring uniformity and dignity across the ceremony. Whether bachelor, master, doctoral, or faculty — each participant’s cap, gown, tassel, hood and optional cords/stoles combine to create a cohesive, formal celebration of academic achievement.

SUNY Old Westbury Commencement & Academic Regalia Overview

SUNY Old Westbury conducts formal commencement ceremonies where all participating graduates, faculty, and staff wear full academic regalia. Graduates must pre-order or purchase their cap, gown, and tassel — typically from the designated vendor — to participate. The standard undergraduate and graduate regalia sets consist of a black graduation gown and a matching black mortarboard cap with tassel. For advanced degrees, additional pieces such as hoods or velvet-trimmed doctoral gowns are included to reflect the level of achievement.

Bachelor’s graduates wear a traditional closed-front black graduation gown with pointed sleeves, paired with a black mortarboard cap and tassel. The tassel is worn on the right side before degrees are conferred and traditionally moved to the left after the degree is awarded. Bachelor’s graduates may choose to wear approved honor cords or stoles — for example, recognition sashes for alumni giving (philanthropy cords), honors societies, or service organizations — provided they meet the university’s guidelines for tasteful adornment.

Master’s graduates wear a black gown with long square sleeves, a matching mortarboard cap, tassel, and an academic hood. The hood’s lining reflects the institution’s colors, while its velvet trim signals the discipline of the degree. Honor cords or approved stoles may also be worn if they comply with the university’s academic regalia policy.

Doctoral graduates may wear an enhanced doctoral robe featuring velvet facing down the front and three velvet bars on each sleeve. The mortarboard may be replaced with a velvet tam or beret-style cap. Tassels may differ in color or include a medallion according to tradition. Doctoral hoods are longer and wider, with velvet edging in a color representing the academic discipline and interior lining reflecting institutional colors. Honor cords or stoles remain optional accessory items for approved recognitions, honorary societies, or philanthropic cords.

Faculty regalia builds on the same traditions: faculty members wear gowns, hoods, and appropriate academic caps (mortarboard or tam) reflecting their highest earned degree. Discipline colors — such as gold yellow for sciences, orange for engineering/technology, white for arts & humanities, light blue for education, and other traditional hues — are used in velvet trim and hood linings to denote academic specialization.

Google Store-Style Key Highlights — Academic Regalia by Degree Level

• Black cap & gown sets for Bachelor, Master & Doctoral graduates
• Standard tassels included; move from right to left after degree conferral
• Master’s and Doctoral hoods in institution and discipline colors
• Doctoral robes with velvet accents and optional velvet tam cap
• Honor cords, philanthropy cords, and approved stoles for honors & affiliations
• Faculty regalia sets reflecting highest earned degree with discipline-specific velvet coloring
• Regalia designed for formal commencement ceremonies and official photos
• All components available as a unified graduation gown, cap, tassel, hood, and accessory package