Please check the campus commencement page for the most current information regarding the celebration.
Online Cap and Gown Rental
Fall Ceremonies
The cap and gown rental website will be live on September 29, 2024 until November 6, 2024 at 8:59 PM for orders without a late fee. The rental website will be down temporarily and will resume taking orders sometime November 7, 2024 until December 13, 2024 at 8:59 PM with a $15 late ordering fee.
Distribution will start on Dec 6 and run until Dec 13 at the Memorial Union Campus store lower level Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–6 PM, Sat noon-5 PM. If you are unable to make it to the store for pickup a limited supply of Emergency rentals will also be available at the ARC in meeting room #2 90 minutes before the start of the ceremony.
When can I order my cap and gown?
You can order beginning Sep 29, 2024.
Do I need a cap and gown? Are caps and gowns required?
Yes, traditional UC Davis cap and gowns will be required for in-person celebrations.
Rental Deadlines
Fall Ceremonies
Sept 29 - Nov 6 at 8:59 PM (late fee of $15 will start Nov 7)
Nov 7 - Dec 13 at 8:59 PM (late rentals)
Dec 14 emergency rentals will be available at the distribution site
Please note: if you’ve selected the home ship option the deadline is Nov 30
Purchase a tailored gown in the same style as the rental version: Custom Regalia. This option takes approximately 7 weeks for production and shipping.
Frames
Purchase high-quality customizable diploma frames through Framing Success.
A limited selection of popular frame styles are stocked at the UC Davis Campus Store in the Memorial Union or at the UC Davis Downtown Store. Please view available styles at the UC Davis Stores site.
Class Rings
To make a virtual or in-person appointment for information about class rings or place your custom order contact:
The information below will be updated for Spring 2025 ceremonies as soon as dates are confirmed; typically in mid-late January.
Online Gown Rental
May Ceremonies
Site will be live on February 5, 2024 until March 21 8:59 PM for orders without a late fee. Site will be down temporarily and will resume taking orders sometime March 22 until April 23 8:59 PM with a $15 late ordering fee.
June Ceremonies
Site will be live on March 1, 2024 until April 22 8:59 PM for orders without a late fee. Site will be down temporarily and will resume taking orders sometime April 23 until May 21 8:59 PM with a $15 late ordering fee.
Regular distribution will start on May 22 until June 15 at the Memorial Union Campus store lower level Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–6 PM, Sat noon-5 PM. A limited supply of Emergency rentals will also be available at the distribution site if you are not able to place order by May 21.
*Emergency rentals will also be available onsite for Graduate Studies ceremony on June 13, GSM June 14 in ARC meeting room 2 an hour and a half prior to the ceremony starting. Undergraduates will also have emergency rentals onsite at Golden 1 center June 14-16 an hour and a half prior to the ceremony starting. Please note that sizing will be limited if you need an emergency rental or are picking up an order onsite. If you can, picking up and placing emergency orders at the Memorial Union Campus store lower level is best.
**Distribution for the following ceremonies please check with your department since gowns will be distributed from department coordinators:
School of Law
School of Veterinary Medicine
School of Medicine
Graduate School of Nursing
Graduate School of Management
When can I order my cap and gown?
May Ceremonies: Feb 5, 2024
June Ceremonies: Mar 1, 2024
Do I need a cap and gown? Are cap and gowns required?
Yes, traditional UC Davis cap and gowns will be required for in-person celebrations.
Rental Deadlines
May Ceremonies
Feb 5-Mar 21 at 8:59 PM (late fee of $15 will start Nov 9)
Mar 21-Apr 23 at 8:59 PM (late rentals)
June Ceremonies
Mar 1-Apr 22 at 8:59 PM (late fee of $15 will start Apr 23)
Apr 23-May 21 at 8:59 PM (late rentals)
May 22-June 16 emergency rentals will be available at the distribution site
Purchase a tailored gown in the same style as the rental version: Custom Regalia. This option takes approximately 7 weeks for production and shipping.
Frames
Purchase high-quality customizable diploma frames through Framing Success.
A limited selection of popular frame styles are stocked at the UC Davis Campus Store in the Memorial Union or at the UC Davis Downtown Store. Please view available styles at the UC Davis Stores site.
Class Rings
To make a virtual or in-person appointment for information about class rings or place your custom order contact:
During distribution distributions dates at the MU Campus Store.
How long will it take for my rental gown to arrive?
Rental gown orders will arrive right before distribution dates. For Fall it’s
typically the week prior to the ceremony and for Spring it’s about 3 weeks prior to the ceremony.
What comes with the gown rental?
A custom rental gown designed for UC Davis, a “one-size-fits-most” mortarboard cap and a tassel with the current year. For certain degree programs an academic hood must be rented as well. The rental gown (and hood if rented) must be returned. The cap and tassel are yours to keep.
How much does the rental cost and are there any package deals?
Pricing for the gown rental varies by degree level and degree program. Prices for the gown rental alone or for Grad Packs which include gown rental along with souvenir merchandise can be found at this website.
What size gown should I rent?
Rental gowns are sized by height in 2-inch increments. While placing the order you will provide your height in inches and indicate a weight range.
How do I return my gown?
The vendor will be at the graduation site at the gown collection station to accept returns for up to one hour after the ceremony ends. Rental apparel can also be returned to the main UC Davis Campus Store free of charge Monday-Saturday the following week after the ceremony. Please be aware that there may be campus holiday closures during that week so please check bookstore site for up to date store hours. Rental apparel returned later than the following week following the commencement ceremony will incur a $5 late return charge per week starting the Monday of the second week.
What is the deadline to return the rental?
Deadline to return is Monday thru Saturday the following week after the ceremony.
Can I purchase my cap and gown?
Custom regalia that is made to your measurements can be purchased at this website.
I paid for my gown rental, but now I wish I had gotten a Grad Pack... can I switch?
A Souvenir Pack with a selection of Grad Pack items is available to purchase at the Campus Store or online at ucdavisstores.com. The Souvenir Pack offers the same discounted pricing as is in the Grad Pack.
I want to wear my gown for pictures after the ceremony. Can I return it later?
Gowns must be returned in person by the Monday following your ceremony. If you specifically need to extend the rental period, please reach out to [email protected] to make special arrangements.
What do I need to wear for commencement?
For an in-person commencement ceremony or graduation celebration, all graduates wear a custom UC Davis rental gown, cap and tassel. Additionally, masters and doctors wear an academic hood, which drapes from the front of the neck down the back and signifies the degree earned and the university conferring it. When you visit the cap and gown rental site it will show you what you need to rent based on your initial selections.
Souvenir Item Questions
Can I purchase just the cap and tassel?
The cap and tassel set can be purchased from UC Davis Stores, either at ucdavisstores.com or in the Campus Store.
I graduated last year... can I still get a tassel with my year on it?
Yes. Both the commencement tassel and the souvenir tassel can be ordered with past year signets. Please place your order online at ucdavisstores.com and indicate the year needed in the comments on your order.
Can I purchase just the stole instead of the full Grad Pack?
All Grad Pack souvenir items can be purchased a la carte from UC Davis Stores, either at ucdavisstores.com or in the Campus Store. The listing for the stole is at this website.
Announcement Questions
Can I get special text on my announcements, and can they be rushed?
Yes and yes. Announcements can take up to 3 weeks for delivery. Please contact the announcement vendor Herff Jones to request any special shipping arrangements or text changes.
I have further questions that were not addressed. Who do I contact?
If your question wasn’t answered in this FAQ, please email the Commencement coordinators at [email protected].
