University of New England

The history of the academic gown goes back to the 12th century. During this period everyone, men and women, royalty, lay folk, clerics, tradesmen, and students, wore long flowing robes. The apparel varied in elegance according to the rank and wealth of the owner, from simple rough worsteds to rich gold brocades wrought with tassels and trimmed with colorful velvet and rich furs. It was in this period that the first organized bodies of learning were formed. From the gowns worn in the "universities" of the period have evolved the academic costumes of today.

Undergraduate Students
University of New England undergraduate students will be dressed in a traditional black gown with a cap and tassel. Individual cords and sashes may be worn to signify academic honors and/or membership in honor societies.

Graduate Students
Dressed in black robes, caps/tams and tassels, graduate students will carry a hood with the colors of their respective academic program. In a special presentation, each graduate student will present their hood to a member of their academic program faculty at the hooding platform to then be hooded and congratulated prior to moving to the main platform.

For more information about the history of commencement regalia see The Pomp Behind the Circumstance (pdf).

Caps/Gowns
Graduates may purchase caps/tams, gowns, tassels and Master's/Doctoral hoods at the UNE Bookstore on each campus beginning April 1. The cost for undergraduate regalia is $22.95 for cap/gown/tassel. The cost for graduate student regalia is $43.20 for cap/gown/tassel/hood. The cost for Doctoral regalia is $99.95 for tam/gown/tassel/hood. Extra keepsake tassels can be purchased separately for $2.99 each.  Graduates are reminded to open regalia packages and ensure proper fit and that all items are present.  Regalia will NOT be available for purchase on the Bookstore website. 

Students away from campus on clinical rotations or not able to pick up regalia in person may call the Bookstore on either campus, WCC (207) 221-4255 or UC (207) 602-2219.   Regalia can be shipped for an additional $8.95.

Additional information can be found on the UNE Bookstore web pages at: www.unew.bkstr.com or www.uneu.bkstr.com