Fall Convocation
Academic Regalia
The tradition of academic regalia probably originated in the traditions and necessities of the Middle Ages, when people dressed in keeping with their class and for their needs. Warm cloaks and hoods were needed because many of the buildings where scholars taught were cold.
From the various traditions that grew up surrounding academic costumes, a code was established and subscribed to in 1894 by most colleges and universities in the United States. Now that academic regalia are prescribed, audiences can identify the institutions awarding degrees, the nature of the degrees, and the faculties awarding them.
The Bachelor of Arts gown is black, closed in front and with long pointed sleeves. The square "Oxford cap" and tassel are black. The bachelor's hood is rarely worn.
The Master of Arts gown is black with long closed sleeves and a short slit near the elbow to free the hand and forearm. The gown is frequently worn open but may be worn closed. Both cap and tassel are black.
The doctor's gown, also usually black, worn open or closed, has velvet panels five inches wide extending down the front edge to the bottom and three horizontal bars on each sleeve. Panels and bars are often black but may be of a color indicating the faculty granting the degree. The doctor's costume also includes the square "Oxford cap" with a gold tassel worn on the left side.
Hoods show the greatest degree of symbolism. Hoods are black with velvet borders in the color of the faculty in which the degree is granted. Thus for the B.A., the border is white; for the B.S., it is golden yellow; for the B.D., purple; and so on for all faculties. The lining of the hood is silk in the colors of the institution granting the degree.
The bachelor's hood is three feet long, with a two-inch velvet border; the master's is three and one-half feet long with a three-inch velvet border. The doctor's hood is four feet long with a five-inch velvet border.
