Instructions and Ordering

If you plan to walk at EVMS Commencement, you must wear proper regalia.  The deadline to order regalia was Friday, March 1, 2024. If you have an issue or concern with your order, please contact Jostens support at 800-854-7464 or email EVMS Special Events.

Preparation and Donning

Graduates are responsible for bringing regalia to Commencement on Saturday, May 18, 2024. EVMS staff will be on site to assist with donning regalia, but please make note of some general recommendations below:

Before Commencement

  • When your regalia arrives, immediately remove regalia from its packaging and ensure that all items are included (gown, hood, tassel, mortarboard or tam).
  • Iron or steam regalia to remove wrinkles prior to Commencement.

Hoods

Master’s level candidates will wear their hoods as they process into the arena. All Doctoral candidates will carry their hoods over the left arm and will be hooded on stage. To wear:

  • Front: Place the narrowest part of the hood over the graduate's head - velvet facing up, black cord facing down.
  • Back: Turn the inside satin panels to face outward. Fasten the black cord around the button on the opposite side.

Mortarboard (Master's)

Your cap should be worn so that the mortarboard is parallel with the ground, with the tassel placed to the left.

Tam (Doctoral)

The tam should be worn with one of the corners facing forward, bringing a point between your eyes. Adjust the top of the tam to have a slight tilt to the right. The top should have a slight puff to it.

Tassel

Should be worn to the left (Note: there is no turning of the tassel from right to left for Master's and Doctoral level graduates).

Questions? Learn how to properly prepare and wear Master'sDoctoral regalia in these quick videos from
Oak Hall Cap and Gown.

Hooding

Master's candidates

All Master’s level candidates will wear their hoods as they process into the arena.

Doctoral candidates

All Doctoral (PhD, DHSc, DMSc, EdD and MD) candidates will carry their hoods over the left arm and will be hooded on stage.

All Doctoral (PhD, DHSc, DMSc, EdD and MD) candidates have the opportunity to be hooded on stage during Commencement by family members who meet the Doctoral Hooding Commencement Policy. Those who are eligible will submit a request for approval through the Commencement registration site. Upon approval, eligible graduates will be contacted with all necessary information about your (and your family member’s) role in the Commencement Ceremony. If you have any questions, please email EVMS Special Events

Honor Cords, Stoles & Other Embellishments

EVMS graduates are permitted to wear up to two national honor society cords and/or one national honor society stole with their academic regalia, if they were:

  • Identified, presented or provided by a program,
  • Earned or awarded while at EVMS, and
  • Approved for wear at the Commencement ceremony.

The approved cord(s) may be worn with the graduate’s academic regalia, with hood worn over the cord(s). The approved stole may be worn with the graduate’s academic regalia, with stole worn over the hood. Learn more about EVMS' approved Honor Societies and Cords.

No other embellishments to the academic regalia including cap, gown, tam or hood shall be permitted.

An individual, student organization or cohort may request an exemption due to extenuating circumstances. To request an exemption, please complete the Regalia Adornment Approval Request Form no later than Wednesday, April 24, 2024 for consideration. Approval from your Academic Program Director is required prior to submitting the form.

EVMS recognizes all military graduates, faculty and platform party members (whether active duty, reserve, guard, veteran or retired) at Commencement by bestowing a military honor cord to be worn with academic regalia. Participants who meet the criteria should indicate so on their registration. The military cord will be provided with regalia and may be worn in addition to other honor society cords and/or stoles. The military cord may be worn with academic regalia, with cord worn under the hood.

EVMS recognizes the contributions of the Student Government Association executive leadership members and their dedication and service to EVMS by bestowing an honor cord to be worn with academic regalia. Graduates who meet the criteria will receive an honor cord to be worn in addition to other honor society cords and/or stoles. The Student Government Association cord may be worn with academic regalia, with cord worn under the hood.


Find more details about this year's Commencement. For questions or additional information, please contact EVMS Special Events.