Academic Regalia

Academic regalia for undergrads consists of your cap (hat), gown (robe), and tassel. Senior class marshals are given a braided shoulder tassel to wear with their cap and gown to indicate their special role and status.

Beginning in March, caps and gowns are available for purchase in the Columbia University Bookstore in the basement of Lerner until GS Class Day on Monday, May 18. No pre-ordering is necessary.

Your regalia is custom designed in Columbia Blue. These gowns are not rentals but souvenirs, and are yours to keep. No pre-ordering is required.

We suggest that on the night before the first ceremony you will be attending (Baccalaureate, Phi Beta Kappa, Class Day, or Commencement), you hang your gown on a hanger in your bathroom and, with the door shut, steam out the wrinkles with a hot shower. We also recommend that you bring hair pins to secure your cap.

Note: The tassel should hang to the right side of your cap. You do not move it to the left until President Bollinger has conferred your degree during the Commencement ceremony on May 21.

GS and Columbia jewelry (lapel pins, cuff links, earrings) designed by Philip Ehrlich, GS ’88, will be on display for purchase or ordering at the GS Graduation Kickoff event, Tuesday, April 28, from 12:30-2:00 p.m. in the GS Lounge. You can also order his jewelry and other GS merchandise on OwlNet.

Columbia rings, graduation announcements, and certificates of appreciation can be viewed and ordered at the GS Kickoff event as well as at the Columbia University Bookstore in the basement of Lerner. For more information, visit the bookstore website or call 212-854-4132.