Graduating from college is a major accomplishment, and fraternity and sorority members often want their graduation attire to recognize both their academic achievement and their chapter experience. From caps and gowns to graduation stoles, honor cords, tassels, academic hoods, and diploma covers, chapters have several ways to help graduating members prepare for commencement, senior recognition events, and graduation photos.
What Graduation Products Do Fraternity and Sorority Members Need?
The products a graduate needs depend first on the degree being earned and the university’s commencement requirements. Organization-related accessories can then be considered when they are permitted by the institution and appropriately authorized by the organization.
Popular Graduation Products for Greek-Letter Organizations
- Bachelor’s cap and gown sets
- Master’s graduation gowns
- Master’s academic hoods
- Doctoral gowns
- Doctoral hoods
- Mortarboards and doctoral tams
- Graduation tassels
- Graduation stoles
- Honor cords
- Diploma covers
Start With the Graduate’s Degree Level
A chapter may have graduating members completing bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs at the same time. These graduates should not automatically receive identical academic regalia because each degree level can have different requirements.
Bachelor’s Degree Graduates
Bachelor’s regalia commonly includes an academic gown, mortarboard, and tassel. The exact gown color, finish, and design may be established by the university.
Master’s Degree Graduates
Master’s graduates generally wear a different gown design and an academic hood. The hood specifications may depend on the degree and institution.
Doctoral Degree Graduates
Doctoral regalia can include a distinctive gown, academic hood, and an approved doctoral tam or mortarboard. Universities may have detailed requirements regarding doctoral attire.
Can Members Purchase Graduation Regalia Outside Their University?
Some institutions may permit students to obtain compatible graduation attire independently, while others may require a specific university-approved package or supplier.
Before purchasing, each member should confirm the university’s requirements for:
- Gown style
- Gown color
- Matte or shiny finish
- Mortarboard or tam
- Tassel
- Academic hood
- Permitted recognition accessories
Graduation Stoles for Fraternity and Sorority Members
A fraternity or sorority graduation stole can create a highly visible connection between graduating members when its use is permitted. Stoles drape over the shoulders and extend down the front of the graduation gown.
Possible Stole Design Elements
Subject to university policies and appropriate organizational authorization, designs may incorporate:
- Approved organization colors
- Chapter designation
- Graduation year
- Approved letters
- Member name
- Approved symbols or artwork
Custom Graduation Stoles for Chapters
For chapters with multiple graduating seniors, coordinated stoles can create a consistent look for recognition ceremonies and photographs.
Customization requires additional planning because names, wording, colors, and artwork need to be checked carefully before production.
Proof Custom Stoles Carefully
Before approving an order, verify spelling, graduation year, chapter information, colors, and placement of approved design elements.
Respect Organization Branding
Greek letters, crests, names, logos, and other organization marks may be protected trademarks or licensed intellectual property. Chapters should follow their national organization’s branding and licensing requirements when ordering customized merchandise.
Honor Cords for Graduating Chapter Members
Graduation honor cords are another option for recognizing eligible members. They are worn around the neck and typically extend down the front of the gown.
A chapter might establish cords for approved recognition such as leadership, service, or another clearly defined accomplishment.
Create Clear Eligibility Standards
If cords represent a particular distinction, chapter leaders should determine eligibility before ordering. The meaning of each cord color should also be communicated clearly to members.
Can Members Wear Stoles and Honor Cords Together?
They may be able to, depending on university commencement rules. A graduate could also have university-issued academic cords in addition to organization-related recognition.
Members should verify which accessories are permitted during the official ceremony before planning the complete outfit.
Graduation Tassels and Year Charms
A tassel is typically part of the traditional graduation cap. Tassel colors and requirements can differ among institutions, so the university’s official tassel should not automatically be replaced with a chapter-selected version.
Additional tassels may be useful for approved chapter events or graduation photographs when appropriate.
Academic Hoods for Graduate Members
Members completing master’s or doctoral degrees may need an academic graduation hood. Hoods are different from decorative stoles and should be selected according to the graduate’s academic requirements.
Do not choose a hood based solely on appearance or fraternity/sorority colors. Graduates should verify their institution’s hood specifications.
Doctoral Tams for Fraternity and Sorority Alumni
Members earning doctoral degrees may require a doctoral tam or another form of academic headwear. Tam styles can vary, including different numbers of sides and different construction details.
The graduate should confirm the university’s requirements before purchasing doctoral headwear.
Diploma Covers for Senior Recognition
Diploma covers can be useful beyond the university ceremony. Chapters may use them during senior recognition dinners, chapter graduation events, alumni celebrations, or photo sessions.
If covers will hold certificates or chapter awards, verify the document dimensions before ordering.
Create a Chapter Graduation Package
Rather than treating every graduation item as a separate purchase, chapter leaders can create an organized package for graduating members.
A Chapter Graduation Package Could Include
- Required academic regalia when appropriate
- Approved graduation stole
- Recognition cord
- Tassel or commemorative tassel
- Diploma or certificate cover
The package should be adapted to university policies, degree requirements, and organization rules.
How Chapters Can Organize a Graduation Group Order
A fraternity or sorority group graduation order works best when one person or committee manages the process.
Choose a Graduation Coordinator
The coordinator could be the chapter president, vice president, senior chair, alumni chair, programming officer, chapter advisor, or another designated member.
Step 1: Build a Graduating Member List
Begin by identifying everyone expected to graduate during the semester.
Collect Basic Information
- Member name
- University
- Degree level
- Expected graduation date
- Commencement date
- Products needed
Step 2: Separate Academic Regalia From Chapter Accessories
This is an important organizational step. Academic regalia must satisfy university requirements, while chapter accessories may follow a separate approval process.
Keeping these categories separate can prevent a chapter accessory from accidentally being treated as required university regalia.
Step 3: Collect Accurate Graduation Gown Sizes
If the chapter is coordinating caps and gowns, provide members with the size chart for the exact product being purchased.
Graduation gowns are commonly sized according to height and may use additional measurements depending on the manufacturer.
Do Not Use Regular Clothing Size
A member who normally wears a particular shirt or jacket size should not assume that the same size applies to an academic gown.
Step 4: Determine Stole and Cord Quantities
Identify which graduating members are eligible for each chapter-approved accessory. Then total the quantity needed by design or color.
Step 5: Review Customization
When ordering customized stoles or other products, create a final proofing process before approving production.
Check Every Detail
- Organization name
- Chapter designation
- Graduation year
- Member names
- Approved colors
- Authorized artwork
- Spelling
Step 6: Establish an Internal Order Deadline
Set the chapter deadline earlier than the final supplier deadline. This creates time to contact members who have not submitted information and correct errors before placing the order.
Step 7: Inspect Everything After Delivery
When the shipment arrives, check quantities and products before distributing them.
Group Order Inspection Checklist
- Correct number of gowns
- Correct gown sizes
- Correct caps or tams
- Correct tassels
- Academic hoods when ordered
- Stole quantities
- Honor cord colors
- Diploma covers
- Custom text and designs
Individual Ordering vs. Chapter Ordering
There is no single approach that works for every organization.
Individual Purchasing
This can be practical when chapter members attend different universities or need substantially different academic regalia.
Chapter Group Purchasing
Group ordering can be particularly useful for coordinated products such as stoles, cords, diploma covers, and other chapter-approved graduation accessories.
Graduation Products for Professional Fraternities
Professional fraternities may have graduating members across business, law, medicine, engineering, education, technology, and other academic fields.
Because degrees and universities can vary significantly, chapters should confirm each graduate’s academic regalia separately while coordinating organization accessories where appropriate.
Graduation Products for NPHC Organizations
Members of historically Black Greek-letter organizations may have established organizational traditions surrounding graduation recognition and paraphernalia.
Chapters should follow national organization requirements, trademark policies, licensing rules, and university commencement policies when selecting branded graduation products.
Graduation Products for Panhellenic Sororities
Panhellenic sorority chapters may coordinate senior recognition products such as approved stoles, cords, or other graduation accessories for graduating members.
Chapter officers should verify national organization branding requirements before creating customized products.
Graduation Products for Interfraternity Council Chapters
Fraternity chapters may similarly coordinate graduation accessories, senior recognition events, and group photography while following university and national organization requirements.
Multicultural and Service Greek Organizations
Multicultural, service, academic, and other Greek-letter organizations may also recognize graduating members with approved accessories or chapter ceremonies.
Each organization should determine which traditions and products are appropriate within its own policies.
Planning a Chapter Senior Recognition Ceremony
A separate chapter celebration can give graduating members an opportunity to wear organization-related accessories that may not be part of the official university commencement.
Senior Recognition Event Ideas
- Presentation of graduation stoles
- Honor cord recognition
- Senior certificates
- Leadership awards
- Graduate introductions
- Alumni welcome
- Group graduation photographs
Fraternity and Sorority Graduation Photo Ideas
Coordinated graduation products can create memorable chapter photographs.
Try These Photos
- Entire graduating chapter class in caps and gowns
- Members wearing coordinated approved stoles
- Individual portrait displaying a stole
- Graduates holding diploma covers
- Group portrait on campus
- Chapter-house graduation photograph when permitted
- Graduating members with chapter advisors
- New graduates with alumni
Ordering Graduation Products for Multiple Chapters
A Greek council, alumni organization, regional group, or campus organization coordinating products across several chapters should create separate counts for each organization.
Do not assume that colors, accessories, branding requirements, or eligibility rules are identical across chapters.
Create a Repeatable Graduation Program
Chapters can save future officers considerable work by documenting the graduation ordering process.
Keep a Graduation Planning Record
- Products ordered
- Size collection process
- Order deadline
- Typical graduating member count
- Approved designs
- Recognition criteria
- Distribution process
- Lessons for the next graduating class
Common Chapter Graduation Ordering Mistakes
- Starting the order too close to commencement
- Not confirming university requirements
- Ordering identical regalia for different degree levels
- Guessing gown sizes
- Using unauthorized organization branding
- Failing to proofread customized stoles
- Not establishing eligibility for recognition cords
- Forgetting graduate students who need academic hoods
- Not inspecting products immediately after delivery
- Distributing the order without checking member names and sizes
Chapter Graduation Buying Checklist
Before Ordering
- Identify all graduating members
- Record degree levels
- Verify university regalia requirements
- Collect accurate sizes
- Determine cap, tam, and hood requirements
- Select approved chapter accessories
- Verify organization branding permissions
- Proofread customization
- Confirm quantities
- Establish a delivery deadline
Frequently Asked Questions
What graduation products can fraternities and sororities order?
Depending on the needs of the graduates and applicable requirements, products can include caps and gowns, academic hoods, doctoral tams, stoles, honor cords, tassels, diploma covers, and other graduation accessories.
Can a chapter buy graduation gowns for all of its seniors?
A chapter may coordinate a group purchase, but each graduate should first confirm whether independently purchased regalia satisfies the requirements of their university and degree program.
Can fraternity or sorority letters be placed on graduation stoles?
Organization names, Greek letters, crests, and logos may be protected intellectual property. Chapters should follow their organization’s trademark, licensing, and branding requirements before ordering customized merchandise.
Are fraternity and sorority stoles allowed at commencement?
University policies vary. Some institutions permit organization stoles while others restrict recognition accessories during the official ceremony.
Can chapters order graduation products for members attending different universities?
Yes, but academic regalia should be verified separately for each institution. Coordinated chapter accessories may be easier to organize across different schools when they are permitted.
Who should manage a chapter graduation order?
A chapter officer, senior chair, alumni chair, advisor, or designated graduation coordinator can manage the process. Using one central coordinator can reduce duplicate orders and missing information.
Make Graduation a Chapter Tradition
Thoughtfully planned graduation products for fraternity and sorority members can do more than complete a commencement outfit. They can help recognize academic milestones, celebrate chapter involvement, create memorable senior traditions, and bring graduating members together for one final chapter experience.
Start planning early, identify every graduating member, separate university-required regalia from organization accessories, verify branding permissions, and coordinate group purchases carefully. A repeatable graduation program can make ordering easier for today’s graduates while creating a tradition future chapter leaders can continue year after year.
