Graduation Dress Guidelines

Guidelines

If you choose to graduate in person, you must wear the correct academic regalia. You are responsible for obtaining your own academic regalia from the bookstore- organize your regalia early to ensure availability.

On graduation day, graduates wear the cap, hood and gown appropriate to their degree. Please check the Academic Costume Guide for the correct color for your degree. Students being awarded an undergraduate degree wear gown and cap.

Your graduation ceremony is a formal celebration of your achievement, and graduates are encouraged to dress appropriately. Students are advised and encouraged to wear business casual attire. Jeans, t-shirts, flip flops and shorts are not acceptable and should be avoided. In addition to the correct academic regalia, some graduates choose to wear clothing or garments of honor from their tradition such as a sari, korowai or ta'ovala. This is a welcome enrichment to the color of the graduation ceremonies. The university does not allow students to wear their sorority or fraternity sachets. Honor cords by societies recognized by LSU New Orleans, are allowed to be worn at the graduation.

Previous graduates also offer the following advice:

• The temperature in LSU New Orleans Arena is reasonably warm, especially when wearing regalia.
• Men may find it helpful to wear a shirt and tie, as placing the neckband of your hood under your tie helps to hold your hood in place. Ladies may need to pin their hood to their dress or wear something with a button.
• Graduation day involves a considerable amount of walking and standing, and waiting in your seats, so (for example) very high heels may not be practical.
• Be sure to choose a hair-style that allows you to wear your cap comfortably
• You will be videoed and photographed throughout the day, so you might like to look your best!

Academic Costume Guide

Academic Apparel

Academic Colors