One of our most popular posts (seriously, it almost went viral!) was our “How do I correctly wear my academic regalia?” post. Today’s post is a reboot of that one, but with new models! Ahhh! Many thanks to Cayden and Kylie for their years of service, but it was time for an update. So who was I to call? Future Communication Studies alums Alisha Alvarez, Kelsey Chester, and Emily Genge! Check them out below as they demonstrate the DOS and DON’TS of academic fashion at graduation! First the DON’TS: DON’T #1: You are going to graduation, not a beauty pageant, so don’t wear your hood as a sash, hanging low over your shoulders!
Kelsey, don’t wear your hood as a sash!
DON’T #2: Your cap should not defy the laws of gravity on graduation day! Women are the most frequent offenders of this rule, although I have seen some men break it too (just yesterday, in fact!).
Your cap shouldn’t defy gravity, Kelsey!
DON’T #3: Although your hood is called a hood, it is not to be worn as one!
Alisha, just because it’s called a hood, don’t wear it like one!
DON’T # 4: Don’t hide your USF pride by only showing the white velvet of your hood.
Emily, show us your USF pride! Don’t hide it!
DON’T #5: While some caps (such as baseball) can be worn backwards, your graduation cap cannot!
Turn your cap around, Kelsey!
Now for the DO’S! DO #1: Do show your USF pride by flaring out the chevron of gold and Kelly green on your hood! The color of the velvet on your hood signifies your area of study (white is for the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences). The chevron of colors on the inside of your hood signify the university granting the degree (green and gold for USF).
Emily is proud of her area of study and her school!
DO #2: Do wear your cap on the top of your head! It should be flat enough on top so that you could balance a textbook (so last week) or a drink (so this week) on it, if you needed to!
There you go, Kelsey!
DOs #3, #4, and #5: Do wear your hood close around your neck, not over your shoulders. Do wear your honors designations, including cords, pins, and medals! Do stand tall and proud! You have achieved something wonderful today! Wear your robes and caps with confidence!
Our COMS majors Kelsey, Emily, and Alisha are graduation fashion DOs!
A big thank you to Kelsey, Emily, and Alisha! And an even bigger congratulations to them and to all of the USF students who will be graduating tomorrow! We are so proud of you and and your accomplishments! Don’t forget to come to the Communication Studies Department Graduation Reception immediately following the commencement ceremony in LoSchiavo 104, the Getty Study. All of your COMS faculty will be there to congratulate you! We will also have refreshments and a memento for each graduate from the department! Friends and family are invited!
good post!!
don’t forget the tassel!! it starts off hanging on the right side and then, after the conferral of degree, it is moved over to the left where it stays forever — e.g. those who participate in future commencement ceremonies (i.e. masters and doctoral).
and re: do #2 — the top of the cap should sit flat, not off to the side like in the photo. this means the front fabric will sit partway down your forehead . . . but that is the way it is supposed to sit on your head!