Apparel

Purchase Information for Winter 2024

If you would like to order commencement regalia:

• Associate and bachelor's degree candidates - If you haven't ordered Commencement regalia yet, it's not too late! Order online until November 12 for PICKUP at Caps Off to Commencement! Orders placed after November 12 can be picked up at the bookstore.
• Honor cords will be purchased separately at the Caps Off to Commencement event; University Bookstore staff will be available to assist in verifying eligibility.
• Master's degree candidates - purchase regalia online and have the regalia shipped directly to the address you provide on your order. 
• Doctoral degree candidates - watch department messages for more info on purchasing regalia

Please note: no refunds are available for regalia purchases.

CAPS/GOWNS/HOODS/TASSELS/SASHES

Caps and gowns (and hoods, for master's degree students) must be worn by all participating students. It is suggested that you wear dark shoes and other articles of visible apparel that will harmonize with the academic gown. Flowers and decorative jewelry may not be worn on the gown. According to the Student Senate Graduation Regalia Policy (SA1617-022) graduates may wear regalia representing their student involvement during their academic career at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. 

Baccalaureate Degree candidates

Undergraduate cap, gown and tassel are maroon and available for purchase online. If you have any questions, call the University Bookstore at 608.785.8855.

Tassels & cords

Additional tassels can be purchased if graduates prefer to order more than the one to be worn with the cap and gown.

Honor and Highest Honor cords are purchased through the University Bookstore. You must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 to wear the honor cord (silver) or at least 3.75 to wear the highest honor cord (gold). Only resident credits are used in the GPA calculation. Graduate degree candidates do not wear honor cords. If you have a question about honors status, please contact the Records Office at 608.785.8951

Stoles

Graduating students may purchase a “Stole of Gratitude” from the University Bookstore to wear for the ceremony. Although not required, students are encouraged to gift the stole to a person who has provided invaluable emotional, moral, or financial support during their academic career. This person can be a family member, friend, professor, advisor, or fellow student. The Stole of Gratitude offers the opportunity to say “thank you for helping me make it” and it is a tribute to those people who have shaped the life of a graduate.

Athletic stoles are also available for purchase from the University Bookstore to wear for the ceremony.

UNIVERSITY HONORS/HONOR CORDS

There are two types of university honors: commencement and graduation.

Commencement honors

Commencement honors determine which students may wear an honor cord, also known as a fourragère, during commencement exercises. Commencement honors are noted beside students' names in commencement programs. Calculations for commencement honors and highest honors are based on grade point averages earned at the end of the last term in residence prior to the term of graduation. To be eligible as a baccalaureate candidate, you must have earned no fewer than 45 semester credits in residence at UWL prior to the beginning date of the term in which you intend to graduate and 30 credits as an associate candidate. You must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 to wear the honor cord (silver) or at least 3.75 to wear the highest honor cord (gold). Only resident credits are used in the GPA calculation. Commencement honors are calculated for baccalaureate and associate degree candidates only. Graduate degree candidates  do not wear honor cords. Honor cords are available for purchase at the University Bookstore. If you have a question about honors status, please contact the Records Office at 608.785.8951.

Graduation honors

Graduation honors are posted on permanent academic records if students have earned no fewer than 60 semester credits in residence for a baccalaureate degree and 30 credits in residence for an associate degree at UWL. You must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 for graduation with honors or at least 3.75 for graduation with highest honors at the end of your last term in residence. Only resident credits are used in the GPA calculation. Graduation honors are calculated for baccalaureate and associate degree candidates only. Graduate degree candidates are not eligible.