At West Valley College, the commencement ceremony celebrates graduates’ achievements with a formal dress code. All students participating are required to wear approved academic attire, including the graduation gown, graduation cap (mortarboard), and a coordinated cap & gown tassel set.
Associate and bachelor’s degree candidates wear traditional black gowns and black caps, while doctoral candidates have gowns with distinctive velvet panels and styling to signify advanced degrees. Tassels and cords reflect academic honors, with gold tassels representing high honors and approved honor cords or stoles indicating membership in honor societies or special achievements.
Faculty and college officials participating in the ceremony wear full academic regalia corresponding to their highest earned degree, including gowns, hoods, and caps in discipline-specific colors. These regulations ensure a uniform and professional appearance throughout the commencement events.
While West Valley College does not provide an exhaustive color chart for all disciplines publicly, major field colors for hoods and cords are referenced to help students and vendors prepare appropriate attire. The college emphasizes that only graduates wearing the complete cap, gown, and tassel set, properly ordered in advance, are eligible to participate in the ceremony. This approach ensures dignity, consistency, and a visually cohesive graduation event.
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At West Valley College, the commencement ceremony marks the culmination of students’ academic achievements with formal and distinguished academic attire. All graduating students are required to wear the full graduation gown, graduation cap, and matching cap & gown tassel sets, ensuring a uniform and professional presentation during the event.
The standard graduation gown color for bachelor’s and associate degree candidates is classic black, while master’s and doctoral candidates also wear black gowns with additional styling elements such as velvet panels and decorative trims in discipline-specific colors. Tassels for bachelor’s and master’s candidates correspond to the field of study, while doctoral tassels are traditionally gold, highlighting the advanced level of achievement. Honor cords and stoles are worn by graduates achieving academic distinction, membership in honor societies, or recognition for special achievements.
Faculty and college officials participating in the ceremony wear complete academic regalia appropriate to their highest earned degrees. Faculty hoods, gowns, and caps reflect their discipline colors, promoting a visually cohesive ceremony and honoring institutional tradition.
West Valley College emphasizes that only graduates who properly order and wear the full cap, gown, and tassel set are eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony. These measures maintain the dignity, professionalism, and consistency of the event while helping students and vendors easily identify the correct attire.
Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at West Valley 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.