Cap and Gown Information for Faculty and Staff
If you are a student, please visit the student cap and gown information page.
Faculty and staff members must wear caps and gowns if they are participating in any of the following ceremonies:
- The main commencement ceremony
- A diploma ceremony
- The Doctor’s Hooding Ceremony
Cap and gown orders are no longer being accepted. Faculty and staff members who did not place their order by the April 1 deadline will need to arrive as early as possible on the first day of cap and gown distribution (Wednesday, May 14 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.) in order to obtain a cap and gown. Every effort will be made to accommodate you, however, distribution is first-come, first-served and appropriate sizes cannot be guaranteed for those who did not order by April 1.
PLEASE NOTE: Doctor’s degree candidates who are teaching should follow the instructions for doctor’s candidates. Please visit the student cap and gown information page for more details.
Rentals
Faculty and staff members may rent caps, gowns and hoods (if applicable) from The University Store. Rental fees are as follows (determined by the highest degree earned by the faculty or staff member):
Caps and Gowns
- Bachelors $16
- Masters $17
- Doctorate $18
Hoods (not necessary for bachelors degrees)
- Masters $20
- Doctorate $21
With the exception of marshals and members of the Platform Group, rental fees are charged to the academic department and an oracle string must be provided when ordering a cap, gown and hood.
Custom-made regalia
For those faculty and staff members with a Doctorate from Carnegie Mellon, custom-made regalia has been designed and is available for purchase by visiting The University Store. Prices begin at $836 and production time is 4 – 7 weeks. Samples are available for viewing in The University Store.
Distribution:
McKenna/Peter/Wright Room, second floor, University Center
Wednesday, May 14: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Thursday, May 15: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday, May 16: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday, May 17: 7 a.m. - 3 p.m., 6 - 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 18: 7 - 11 a.m.
Return:
Any rented items must be returned during the cap and gown return hours (see below). If a rented cap and gown is not returned, the provided oracle string will be charged $140 for the “purchase” of the cap and gown. Likewise, if a rented hood is not returned the provided oracle string will be charged $135 for the “purchase” of the hood.
If you wish to simultaneously return multiple sets of caps, gowns and hoods, each set of regalia must be in a separate bag and clearly labeled with the faculty or staff member’s name and department. Otherwise the provided oracle string will be charged the “purchase” prices of the items.
McKenna/Peter/Wright Room, second floor, University Center
Sunday, May 18: Noon - 6 p.m.
Monday, May 19: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
After Monday, May 19 and until Monday, June 2, returns can be made directly to The University Store. No returns will be accepted and no refunds will be issued after June 2.
Please contact cap-gown@andrew.cmu.edu with any questions.
Cap and Gown Frequently Asked Questions
Measurements
How do I determine my head measurement? What is my cap size?
In order to find your cap size you’ll need a measuring tape. To take the measurement, wrap the tape around your head approximately 1” above your eyebrows. In the order form, select the size that most closely matches the measurement that you took with the measuring tape.
What if I don’t have a tape measure to determine my cap size?
You can still take the measurement yourself using string or yarn and then a ruler with inches marked on it. If you are using the string method, do the following:
To take the measurement, wrap the string around your head approximately 1” above your eyebrows. Compare the length of string needed to wrap around your head to your ruler or yard stick. Compare this measurement to the cap size menu on the web order form. In the order form, select the size that most closely matches the measurement you took.
In addition, you can come to The University Store and have an associate assist you with a measurement during regular store hours.
What is a typical measurement?
Normal measurements are usually around 22 to 24 inches. Although there will be some larger or smaller measurements, a measurement far outside the norm of 22 to 24 inches may be off.
I don’t know my weight in pounds. What should I do?
You can convert your weight from kilograms to pounds using the following formula:
(k=kilograms, p=pounds)
k(2.2) = p
I don’t know my height in feet and inches. What should I do?
To convert centimeters to inches, multiply by 0.394.
This will only yield the number of inches, so you’ll need to divide that figure by 12 in order to find the number of feet because each foot is made up of 12 inches.
For example, if you are 170 cm tall—or 1.7 meters tall, then you would calculate like this
170 x 0.394 = 66.98 (or 67 inches)
12 goes into 67 five times with 7 left over, so someone who is 170 cm tall is approximately 5 feet, 7 inches tall. This would be indicated as 5’7”.
Deadlines/Ordering
What is the deadline for reserving a cap and gown?
April 1, 2008.
What can I do if I didn’t order my cap and gown by the April 1 deadline?
Plan to show up early during distribution hours as listed on the commencement Web site at the McKenna/Peter/Wright Room in the University Center and every effort will be made to accommodate you. However, it is first-come, first-served and we cannot guarantee appropriate sizes for those who do not order by April 1.
Should I expect to receive a confirmation email?
Yes. If you have not received a confirmation email, first check your portal page, which should list your reservation. If you see your reservation but have not received an email, please see the following FAQ.
Why did I not receive a confirmation email?
There are two possible reasons for this. If you didn’t enter the full version of your email address on the web reservation form, there may have been an error. Be sure that you enter the complete address. Ex: name (incorrect) vs. name@andrew.cmu.edu or name@cmu.edu (correct).
The second reason may be that you are over quota in your email data storage. Consider deleting a number of items or increasing your quota. You can do this by going to: https://www.cmu.edu/myandrew. On the left menu bar, click “Increase My Quota.”
Hood Information
What is a hood and why do I need one?
A hood is a garment worn around the neck and down the back. You need one if you have a Master’s degree or a Doctorate. There are multiple types of hoods. At Carnegie Mellon, we only distribute hoods to faculty and staff members with a Master’s degree or a Doctorate. On each hood is a band of colored velvet, most visible at the neck. The width of the velvet band denotes the level of the degree conferred while the color implies the field of study.
On Masters’ hoods, the color of the velvet denotes the discipline in which your degree is was awarded. For instance, someone with a degree in engineering will find that the velvet color is orange, whereas one with a degree in science will have a gold band. The way your degree reads is what will determine the color of your velvet.
Doctoral hoods typically feature a broader velvet band. At Carnegie Mellon, we only issue two kinds of Doctoral degrees, despite the fact that the area of study could well be in most any discipline. This is because, with only a few exceptions, Doctoral degrees at Carnegie Mellon are a PhD, which stands for “Doctor of Philosophy.” This PhD could have a concentration in any field. Even if your study is in engineering, you will still have a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering. Because the color which denotes Philosophy is blue, most Doctoral hoods at Carnegie Mellon will feature a blue velvet band. The rare exception will feature a white velvet band.
All hoods display the university colors down the back on a portion of the hood usually referred to as the “lining.” At Carnegie Mellon, we use the Tartan. The fabric holding the whole hood together and promoting proper drape is usually referred to as the “backing” and it is usually black.
How do I rent a hood?
Hoods may be rented and the fees are $20 for those with a Master’s degree and $21 for those with a Doctorate. Orders for hoods may be placed at the time as those for a cap and gown. An oracle string must be provided as the rental fees will be charged to you academic department. The provided oracle string will be charged $135 for each unreturned rented hood.
Distribution/Return
Where do I pick up my cap and gown (and hood, if applicable)?
The McKenna/Peter/Wright Room on the second floor of the University Center, during the distribution times. Visit
distribution for more information.
Do I need to return my cap and gown? Where?
Only doctor's candidates need to return their cap and gown (and hood, if applicable). Beginning after the main commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 18 and through Monday, May 19, returns are accepted in the McKenna/Peter/Wright Room. After Monday, May 19 and until Monday, June 2, returns will be accepted at The University Store. No returns will be accepted nor refunds given after this date.
If you have further questions or need additional information, please call 412-268-8173 or email
cap-gown@andrew.cmu.edu.
