SUNY ESF Commencement & Academic Regalia Overview

The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) celebrates its graduates each term with a formal commencement ceremony. All graduates who walk in commencement are required to wear approved academic regalia — a graduation gown, graduation cap (mortarboard), and tassel — ensuring a unified and dignified presentation for students, faculty, and staff.

For undergraduates and most graduates, the standard commencement attire is a classic black gown paired with a mortarboard cap and matching tassel. ESF maintains an environmentally friendly approach through its “Regalia Reuse Program,” allowing incoming graduates to rent gently used donated caps and gowns from alumni — reducing waste, lowering cost barriers, and supporting sustainability.

Graduate‑level students (master’s or equivalent) add an academic hood to their cap and gown. The hood’s lining reflects the institution’s colors and the velvet trim denotes the academic discipline of the graduate — making the graduation gown and hood combination a clear indicator of degree level and field of study.

Faculty and staff participating in the commencement ceremony also wear full academic regalia. Their robes, hoods, and caps follow traditional academic dress standards, with velvet‑trimmed hoods and gowns representative of their highest earned degree and academic discipline. This consistency across participants ensures a polished and formal atmosphere for the ceremony.

ESF’s official regalia distribution is handled through the affiliated university bookstore. Graduates — both undergraduate and graduate — must order their cap, gown, and tassel (and hood if applicable) ahead of commencement. The book‑store also accommodates regalia reuse or rental options for eligible students.

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Commencement & Academic Regalia Overview

The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology, hosts formal commencement ceremonies celebrating graduates from bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. Academic regalia is a key part of the ceremony, including graduation gowns, graduation caps, tassels, hoods, honor cords, and stoles, creating a cohesive and professional appearance. The attire reflects the degree level, academic discipline, and honors achieved by each graduate.

Bachelor’s graduates wear a classic black graduation gown paired with a mortarboard cap and standard black tassel. Optional honor cords and stoles recognize outstanding academic achievements, organizational leadership, or membership in honor societies. These accessories are carefully coordinated to complement the graduation gown while highlighting individual distinctions.

Master’s graduates wear black gowns with long, square sleeves and a mortarboard cap, complemented by an academic hood. The hood features institutional colors and velvet trim indicating the graduate’s field of study. Honor cords and stoles may also be worn for academic or organizational recognition, emphasizing the graduate’s accomplishments in a professional and ceremonial context.

Doctoral graduates wear gowns with velvet panels and three sleeve bars, along with a tam cap and gold tassel. The doctoral hood is larger, lined with the institution’s colors and velvet trim that denotes the academic discipline. Optional cords and stoles may be added to highlight honors, leadership, or society memberships.

Faculty regalia includes robes, hoods, and caps representing the highest earned degrees. Velvet trim and hood lining indicate each faculty member’s academic discipline, ensuring faculty are distinguished from students while maintaining a unified, professional appearance throughout the ceremony. Other discipline-specific regalia colors are coordinated to highlight diversity of programs while preserving ceremonial consistency.

Google Store-Style Listing Highlights — Academic Regalia Packages

• Cap, gown, and tassel sets for all SUNY ESF graduates
• Honor cords and stoles for recognized achievements and distinctions
• Graduate hoods with institutional colors and discipline-specific velvet trim
• Doctoral gowns with velvet panels and optional tam caps
• Faculty robes and hoods aligned with highest earned degrees and academic disciplines
• Complete regalia bundles for professional commencement appearance and ceremony-ready presentation