Cap And Gown UH 2025: The Ultimate Guide To Regalia, Deadlines, And Costs For The University Of Houston, Hawaii, And Hartford
The journey to commencement is filled with excitement, but the process of securing your official academic regalia—the cap and gown—can be a source of confusion, especially when the abbreviation "UH" can refer to several major universities. This definitive guide, updated for the 2025 graduation cycle, cuts through the ambiguity to provide the most current and essential information for graduates of the University of Houston, the University of Hawaii system, and the University of Hartford.
For the Class of 2025, ordering your academic regalia is a critical deadline, not just a shopping trip. Whether you are a Cougar, a Rainbow Warrior, or a Hawk, your official commencement attire is a mandatory part of the ceremony. We've compiled the latest details on vendors, pricing, and unique accessories to ensure you are fully prepared for your walk across the stage.
2025 Graduation Regalia: University of Houston (UH) Requirements and Deadlines
The University of Houston (UH) and its system schools, including University of Houston-Downtown (UHD), require all participating graduates to wear official custom regalia. These items are typically sourced through the official vendor, Herff Jones, and are often available as "GradPacks" that bundle the cap, gown, and tassel.
Key Details for UH and UHD Graduates (Class of 2025):
- Official Vendor: Herff Jones is the primary partner for ordering official UH and UHD regalia.
- Regalia Requirement: Graduates must wear the official custom cap and gown to the commencement ceremony.
- Fall 2025 Deadline: For students graduating in Fall 2025, the online ordering deadline for regalia is typically around November 20, 2025. Missing this deadline may result in a late fee or requiring an in-person purchase at the University Bookstore.
- UH Law Center Deadline: Law Center graduates often have an earlier spring deadline, such as March 25, 2025, to order their regalia online.
- Doctoral Regalia: The official UH Classic Doctoral gown is distinctive, constructed of Gabardine fabric in black with red Gabardine sleeves and yoke, signifying the highest degree.
Essential UH Accessories and Costs (2025 Entities):
In addition to the standard cap and gown, graduates often purchase or receive various accessories that signify academic achievement or organizational membership. These items add a personal and ceremonial touch to the standard black academic attire.
- Honor Cords: Students graduating with academic distinction (Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Cum Laude) can purchase official Honor Cords at the UH Bookstore for an estimated cost of $14.50 (not including sales tax).
- Gratitude Stole: A popular item, the Gratitude Stole, is available for approximately $30.00, allowing graduates to honor a mentor or family member.
- Cougar Spirit Cord: The Cougar Spirit Cord is a red and white cord worn to show university pride and support.
- First Generation Stole: UHD offers a First Generation Stole for students who are the first in their family to earn a college degree.
2025 Graduation Regalia: University of Hawaii (UH) System Details
The University of Hawaii (UH) system, including its main campus, UH Mānoa, and UH West Oʻahu, has a distinct set of regalia requirements and deeply rooted cultural traditions that influence the commencement attire. Graduates should focus on the University Bookstore as their primary vendor for all official items.
Key Details for UH Mānoa and UH West Oʻahu (Class of 2025):
- Official Vendor: The University of Hawaiʻi Bookstore is the official source for ordering graduation packages, including the gown, cap, tassel, and keytag.
- Commencement Registration: All graduates planning to participate in the ceremony at UH Mānoa must register by the deadline, which is typically around December 1, 2025, for the Fall ceremony.
- Bachelor's Gown Set Cost: At UH West Oʻahu (UHWO), the complete Gown Set (cap, gown, and tassel) is priced at approximately $61.95. Individual items like the Cap Only can be purchased for $17.95.
- College-Specific Stoles: UH Mānoa offers various college-specific stoles, such as the CNS Stole, Nursing Stole, and Dental Hygiene Stole, which are typically priced around $39.95.
- Distinction Cords: Unlike many mainland universities, UH Mānoa does not issue stoles or cords for graduating with distinction (e.g., cum laude, summa cum laude). Honors are instead noted in the commencement program.
Hawaiian Cultural Regalia and Traditions:
The University of Hawaii commencement is unique, incorporating traditional Hawaiian culture and attire. Graduates are encouraged to embrace these customs:
- The Lei Tradition: The most recognizable tradition is the giving of flower Lei to graduates immediately after the ceremony. This is a powerful symbol of love, congratulations, and farewell.
- Kīhei: A kīhei is a traditional Hawaiian wrap worn over the academic gown during formal ceremonies. Many departments and programs, like the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), incorporate the kīhei into their graduation attire, marking the passage from student to graduate.
- Oli (Chant): Ceremonies often begin with a Traditional Hawaiian Oli (chant), a powerful element that sets a unique and respectful tone for the event.
2025 Graduation Regalia: University of Hartford (UH) Details
The University of Hartford (UHart) offers a highly convenient regalia option for its graduates, as their gowns are designed to be kept as a souvenir, eliminating the hassle of returns. Graduates should monitor the official UHart Commencement website for the most accurate dates.
Key Details for University of Hartford Graduates (Class of 2025):
- Online Ordering Start: Online ordering for the cap and gown is typically scheduled to begin in early February for the spring commencement cycle.
- Keeper Gowns: Undergraduate and Master's degree recipients receive custom University of Hartford "keeper" gowns. These gowns do not need to be returned, serving as a permanent keepsake of your graduation day. The gowns feature the University of Hartford seal.
- Tassel Inclusions: All graduates receive a degree-specific color tassel with a University of Hartford "H" included in their package.
- Souvenir Tassels: Souvenir red-and-white tassels with the specific 2025 date may be purchased separately.
- Doctoral Regalia: Doctoral candidates receive a custom rental gown and hood, which must be returned after the ceremony. However, the doctoral tam (cap) is a keeper item.
- Preparation Tip: UHart advises students to press or steam their regalia at home, as facilities will not be available at the commencement venue.
The Academic Regalia Glossary: Essential Entities for Graduates
Understanding the terminology of your commencement attire is key to ensuring you order the correct items. Academic regalia is a tradition dating back to medieval universities, and each component has a specific meaning.
- Gown: The robe itself. Bachelor’s and Master’s gowns are typically black, while Doctoral gowns feature velvet panels and bars, often in the university’s colors (e.g., the red and black of UH).
- Cap (Mortarboard): The square, flat cap. It is traditionally worn with the tassel on the right side and moved to the left after the degree is conferred.
- Tassel: The hanging cord and ornament. The color is degree-specific and indicates your field of study. For example, white is for Arts, and gold is for Science.
- Hood: Worn by Master's and Doctoral graduates, the hood signifies the degree earned and the institution that granted it. The velvet trim color indicates the field of study, and the lining colors represent the university (e.g., the University of Houston’s colors).
- Stole (Sash): A decorative sash worn over the gown. Stoles are often used to signify membership in a specific college, department, or cultural group (e.g., the First Generation Stole or a cultural Medallion).
- Honor Cords: Braided cords worn around the neck, typically in gold, blue, or red, to recognize academic honors like Summa Cum Laude or membership in an honor society.
As a graduate in the Class of 2025, confirming your university’s specific "UH" requirements—whether through Herff Jones, the University Bookstore, or a specialized vendor like Jostens or Follett—is the final step before celebrating your momentous achievement. Pay close attention to the deadlines for your specific school, especially for customized items like Diploma Frames or unique cultural attire like the Kīhei.
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