Commencement Details

Make sure you have ordered your free regalia!

All students participating in commencement must RSVP via Murphy Online. As part of your RSVP you will provide information for ordering your regalia. Please be aware of the following important deadlines and how they relate to your regalia.

Undergraduate students

• March 15, 2024 - Priority deadline to order and be guaranteed your requested size for cap and gown. Your regalia will be available for pick up at Grad Fest/May 3 or DFC Grad Fest/May 8
• April 5, 2024 - Guaranteed cap and gown (sizes will be based on availability)

Graduate students

• March 15, 2024 - Priority deadline to order and be guaranteed your requested size for regalia (except doctoral regalia)
• March 15, 2024 - FINAL deadline for doctoral regalia. No orders for doctoral regalia will be accepted after March 15th
• April 5, 2024 - Guaranteed regalia (sizes will be based on availability)
• Graduates will be notified via email when and where they can pick up their regalia

In keeping with the significance of the occasion, graduates must wear university-issued academic regalia, including cap, gown and purple St Thomas stole. Only University-issued honor cords and medallions are approved for wear during the ceremony.

Students are permitted to decorate their cap and stole to positively represent their St. Thomas experience. All decorated content must represent the values and convictions of the University of St Thomas. Stoles, pins and commencement caps are prohibited from including any images, symbols or words that represent/show the following:

• Profanity, Nudity, Sexual Innuendos, or Rude Comments
• Alcohol and/or Drug related references
• Political References
• Content that advocates drug use, violence, or disruptive behavior that is detrimental to the safety and welfare of other students.
• Any symbols, words, etc. that represents any group/organizational affiliations external to St Thomas

Other personal adornments, such as hats, signs, ribbons, or scarves, noise makers, and battery operated, or blinking lights are not acceptable. Students who attend commencement with any adornment that does not meet the standards above will be required to remove it in order to participate. No additional caps or stoles will be available to replace any caps or stoles removed.

Additionally:

• Jeans and flip-flops are not acceptable.
• Wear comfortable shoes with low heels.
• Do not leave your valuables unattended. St. Thomas cannot take any responsibility for lost, stolen, or damaged items.

Do not bring items into the fieldhouse or take any action that interferes with the ceremony. Unacceptable behavior includes, but is not limited to:

• Picture-taking near or on the stage by the graduates, family members or friends. A professional photographer is hired by the university to provide high quality images as the graduate receives their diploma. Proofs will be sent to you in the week following the ceremony. However, there is no obligation to purchase.
• The stage is for students only and approved faculty and staff. No children, infants, or guests are allowed on the stage at any time.
• Balloons, beach balls, and noisemakers are prohibited at all ceremonies.
• Alcohol is not to be brought to and/or consumed at the ceremony.
• St. Thomas is a tobacco-free campus and smoking, or vaping, is not permitted.
• Strollers are not permitted within the field house due to limited space. There will be a stroller corral inside the Anderson Athletic and Recreation Center where guests can leave strollers during the ceremony. Ushers will direct guests to the stroller corral. The corral will be supervised during the ceremony. However, St. Thomas cannot take any responsibility for lost or damaged strollers.

Tassels are included with your cap and gown. Additional tassels are available for purchase from the St. Thomas Campus Stores.

The student's major(s) determines the tassel color. Colors can be confirmed by contacting Campus Stores.

The cap should be worn with the mortarboard parallel to the ground. Undergraduate candidates should wear their tassel on the right side. It is moved to the left side at the designated time during the ceremony.

Eligible students will receive an email with information from Latin Honors, Aquinas Scholars or their department with details about pick-up date and location.