A cap and gown order card will be included in the March 27, 2009, candidate mailing.  All candidates who participate in the commencement exercise must wear the appropriate academic attire.  For Associate degree candidates, academic attire is a dark gray, full-sleeved gown and cap.  Baccalaureate degree candidates wear a black baccalaureate gown and cap.  Master's degree or Educational Specialist degree candidates wear a full-sleeved black master's gown and cap, with an appropriately colored master's hood.  Doctoral candidates wear the appropriate gown and cap.  The doctoral hood will be carried over the candidate's left arm with the neckband on the outside.  The hood must be an appropriate doctor's hood with Purdue colors.  Any other hood, or no hood, will disqualify the candidate from participation in the exercises.

Appropriate caps, gowns, and hoods may be rented from the Follett's Purdue West Bookstore at 1-800-837-5388 or University Bookstore at 1-800-347-9618.  To reserve your cap and gown online go to www.herff-jones.com/college/graduation. Delivery cannot be guaranteed for orders placed after April 7, 2009. Orders placed after the deadline date will be billed an additional $10 late fee.

When you pick up your academic attire at the store, examine it immediately to be sure that you have the correct gown, cap, hood (if appropriate), and proper color cap tassel.  Please note that the University does not consider purchased ‘souvenir' or ‘keepsake' gowns appropriate attire for commencement.