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Fort Lewis College Official Seal

Policy identification number: 

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Student Regalia

Policy Summary


This policy establishes the academic regalia regulations for candidates of baccalaureate, certificate and master’s degrees.


Policy Owner

Provost, Vice President Academic Affairs

Approval Date

September 28, 2018

Effective Date

September 28, 2018

Search Terms

student, regalia, vpaa, s

Scheduled for Review

Spring 2021

I. Policy Statement


All students participating in a Fort Lewis College commencement ceremony must conform to the regalia requirements for their degree or certificate as set forth in this policy. The Registrar’s Office has the authority to prevent a student from participating in the graduation ceremony if the student’s attire violates the spirit of this policy.

Graduation regalia:

  1. The baccalaureate or certificate degree regalia will be as follows:
    1. Untrimmed
    2. Straight cut sleeves
    3. Zipped closed
    1. Black gown:
    2. Black four-point mortarboard, which may be embellished
    3. Tassel with a graduation year medallion in the blue and gold hues associated with school colors.
    4. Additional cords, medallions, etc. awarded by official FLC organizations and/or honor societies may be worn
    5. Students receiving Latin honors will wear a gold tassel
  2. The master’s degree regalia will be as follows:
    1. Black gown:
      1. Untrimmed
      2. Long oblong sleeve, with the front part of the sleeve cut away in an arc.
      3. Zipped closed
    2. Black four-point mortarboard, which may be embellished.
    3. Black tassel.
    4. Students will be awarded during the ceremony a hood lined with the blue and gold hues associated with school colors that is trimmed with the color assigned to the student’s discipline
    5. Additional cords, medallions, etc. awarded by official FLC organizations and/or honor societies may be worn
  3. Student marshals will wear the regalia as described and a braided fourragere of the blue and gold hues associated with school colors embellished with the Fort Lewis College seal worn on the left shoulder. 

Exception: Students may wear traditional ceremonial or heritage regalia in lieu of the graduation regalia described above.

II. Reason for Policy 

This policy adapts the Academic Costume Code to Fort Lewis College’s programs, mission, values and commitments.  

III. Responsibilities 

For following the policy:   A ll student participating in a commencement ceremony; all program coordinators/directors/advisors/sponsors issuing student regalia\

For enforcement of the policy: Registrar or a designee

For oversight of the policy:  P rovost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

For notification of policy: Policy Librarian

IV. Definitions 

Student Regalia: Ceremonial clothing required for and adornments allowed for students participating in a commencement ceremony.    Clothing is defined as an academic gown, hat, and and tassel.  Adornments are defined as hoods, sashes, stoles, fourrageres, medallions, cords, pins, and ribbons.  

VI. Cross-Referenced Policies 

American Council of Education Academic Costume Code

Student Marshals