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Regalia

Students in crowd

Ordering Caps and Gowns

Simmons University regalia is now available to order through Oak Hall. The general deadline for ordering regalia is April 28, 2026. The deadline for ordering fine-quality regalia for doctorate and PhD candidates is April 1, 2026.

You are also welcome to purchase cords and stoles that reflect your membership in an academic honors organization, cultural, ethnic, or affinity group. You are encouraged to review our standards related to the academic regalia and adornments worn. The policy applies to baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral graduates of Simmons University.

Gown Borrowing Program

Due to the gracious donations of previous alumni, the REEF Support Center has a small collection of graduation gowns available to students currently experiencing financial barriers to purchasing a cap and gown. Our selection includes undergraduate and graduate gowns only, with a small selection of Masters hoods. We welcome any undergraduate or graduate student who is concerned about their ability to purchase their graduation attire to reach out to the REEF Support Center at [email protected]. Our online request form will be available from April 1 — May 1 as supplies last.

Community Clothing Rack: Regalia Borrowing Form

We have a limited supply of gowns and sizes at any given time. We ask that students who can purchase their gowns from the Bookstore do so. As our selection is limited, we appreciate your understanding that we may be unable to fulfill all requests.

Pass it Forward! Donate Your Regalia after Commencement

Are you looking to give away your graduation regalia? Make a lasting impact on future generations of Simmons graduates by donating your regalia to the REEF Support Center Gown Borrowing Program. By passing on your gown, you are supporting our efforts to expand our free gown-borrowing program and mitigate barriers to graduation!

We gratefully accept Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral gowns, including hoods. Regalia can be dropped off in person or mailed to the REEF Support Center, located in room A-085 on the lower level of the Main College Building (across from the Fens Cafe). Please reach out to the REEF Center at [email protected] with any questions.

Adornments (cords, stoles, and pins)

Approved Cords and Stoles (University Purchased)

The University will purchase cords for Bachelor’s candidates with the following academic honors.  Cords are used to indicate academic honors and are not to be used for other purposes:

  • Academy: Blue and Gold Cord (UG)
  • Honors Program: Blue and White Cord (UG)
  • Latin Honors*: Red, Silver, and Gold Cords (UG)
  • Dotson Scholar: Stole (UG)
  • NCAA Honor Society: Stole (UG)
  • Kotzen and Distinguished Scholars: Cord (UG)
  • Boston Scholars: Cord (UG)

Latin Honors Cord for Undergraduate Students

  • All undergraduate students must pick up their Latin Honors Cords on campus the Wednesday or Thursday before May Commencement. 
  • Students who are unable to attend May Commencement and receive Latin Honors may request to have their cord shipped for $10. To request a cord, please visit the Commencement Store Front.
    • Cords will be shipped within 2 business weeks of purchase. This purchase is non-refundable.
    • For questions, email [email protected]

Approved Honor Membership Cords & Pins (Student Purchased)

Students may purchase the following academic honor membership cords on their own.

Alpha Sigma LambdaPurchase Here
Beta Gamma SigmaPurchase Here
Alpha Delta SigmaPurchase Here
SigmaTheta Tau (Nursing)Purchase Here
Lambda Pi Eta (Communications)Purchase Here
Biology Beta Beta BetaPurchase Here
English Sigma Tau DeltaPurchase Here
Computer Science Pledge of the Computer ProfessionalPurchase Here
French Pi Delta PhiPurchase Here
Mathematics Pi Mu EpsilonPurchase Here
Psychology Psi ChiPurchase Here
Sciences Sigma XiIndividual Membership
Social Work (Undergraduate) Phi AlphaPurchase Here
Sociology Alpha Kappa DeltaPurchase Here

Approved Cords and Stoles (Student Purchased)

Students are welcome to purchase affinity cords and stoles from the Simmons bookstore online!

Bachelor’s candidates may purchase a standard Simmons stole in white with the words “Simmons University” and Seal.

In addition, candidates may choose to purchase an affinity cord or stole that represents their identity. Some of the common stoles and cords include:

  • Activity Duty or Veteran Stole
  • LatinX or Serape Cloth Stole
  • African-American or Kente Cloth Stole
  • Asian, Asian-American, Pacific Islander Stole
  • Indigenous Stole
  • First-Generation Stole
  • LGBTQIA+ Lavender Cord or Stole

If your affinity group cord or stole is not reflected on this list or available for purchase through the Simmons Bookstore, please reach out to [email protected]. Students who have a cultural identity they would like to represent as a part of their commencement regalia are welcome to explore these on their own, at their own expense.