Columbian doctoral graduates throwing their mortarboards in the air in celebration at University Commencement.

Regalia

Individual schools may have different requirements for their class day and graduation ceremonies. All academic attire, including the cap and gown, is ordered through the Columbia University Bookstore. For more information on academic attire, graduation announcements, class rings, and diploma frames, please contact the bookstore at [email protected] or 212-854-4132.

Check with your individual school on regalia requirements and any unique instructions prior to placing your order.

Graduating Students

Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees

Recipients wear a cap and gown, with no hood, which can be obtained by:

Doctoral Degrees

Recipients wear a gown, hood, and a velvet tam with the option to rent or purchase their gown.

  • Gown Rentals:
    • February 18 – April 10: Regalia may be ordered in-store without incurring a late fee on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and on weekends from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
    • February 22 – April 10: Online orders can be placed at https://oakhallcg.com/pages/columbia
    • May 30: Deadline to return rental gowns and hoods.
  • Gown Purchase:
    • March 14: Deadline to email the bookstore if interested in purchasing a full set.
  • April 28: Regalia will be available for pick-up at the Morningside Campus Bookstore if ordered by April 10. 

Email [email protected], if you would like your order shipped. Shipping is unavailable via the online portal.

Faculty & Staff

All Columbia University faculty and officers of administration are invited to march in the academic procession at the University Commencement ceremony.

Faculty and staff participating in the academic procession should coordinate regalia orders with their school or department. 

  • March 14: Deadline for ordering aiguillettes, honor cords and custom purchase (non-rental) regalia.
  • March 21: Deadline for ordering rental regalia without incurring late fees.
    • Doctoral Columbia gown orders placed after this deadline may be filled with black gowns.
  • March 28: Deadline for ordering regalia to be delivered wardrobed. 
    • A wardrobe order includes regalia steamed and hung on hangers, ready to be worn
  • April 25: Final deadline for ordering rental regalia.
  • April 28: Regalia distribution begins at the Morningside Campus Bookstore
    • The bookstore team will notify you when your order is in-store and ready for pickup. 

If you are a Columbia degree holder, you will receive a Columbia blue gown, hood and blue mortarboard (bachelor's/master's) or black velvet tam (doctoral). Those that hold degrees from other institutions may wear their own regalia or will receive black caps and gowns with a hood that includes colors of that institution.

Guidelines for Commencement Stoles

Any school, program, department, recognized student group or school-authorized cohort that plans to create commencement stoles should follow the below guidelines.

  • The left side should identify the School in one consistent manner across all groups, per the guidelines and examples below.
  • The right side is where individual groups can feature their own designs, which should include the name of the group or cohort, and may include a secondary “tag line” and/or any graphic that represents the group.
  • The text on either side of a stole should have clear space around it, to separate it from any patterns or designs, without overlap.

For additional resources and a list of approved vendors, read the Guidelines for Use of Columbia Marks. For questions, email [email protected].

Click the images below to increase their size.

An illustration of the 2023 commencement stole guidelines. Please refer to webpage content for detailed instructions.
An example of the 2023 commencement stole guidelines in dark blue with white text. Please refer to webpage content for detailed instructions.
An example of the 2023 commencement stole guidelines in PMS280 and dark blue text. Please refer to webpage content for detailed instructions.