Student Cap, Gown and Accessories Information

Please check the campus commencement page for the most current information regarding the celebration.

Online Gown Rental

Gown rentals are available for Fall 2023 starting Oct 1–Nov 8 at 8:59 pm. After Nov 8 at 8:59 pm the rental site will be taken down and a late order site will be replaced sometime Nov. 9th.

Distribution is from Dec 8–Dec 15 at the room behind the ATMs near the MU Bookstore Mon–Fri 8:30 am–6 pm, Sat noon-5 pm. A limited supply of Emergency rentals will also be available at the ARC in meeting room 2 if you are unable to make it to the store prior to your ceremony an hour and a half prior to the start of the ceremony.

When can I order my cap and gown?

October 1

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

December ceremonies Oct 1–Nov 8 at 8:59 pm (late fee of $15 will start Nov 9)

Announcements

Purchase custom announcements. Custom announcements will take approximately 3 weeks to arrive.

Custom Regalia

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:

Bill Higbee and Mandy McDonough

[email protected]

In-person appointments will be held on the following dates:

Friday, Dec 8, 10 am–2 pm Gown pick-up location

Wednesday, Feb 15, 10 am–2 pm, King Hall

Friday, Apr 18, 10 am–2 pm, location TBD

Wednesday, May 22, 10 am–2 pm, MU Campus Store

Graduation Accessories

Grad Souvenir Merchandise and Packages Commencement Accessories.

If you have any questions please email [email protected]

General FAQ

Rental Questions

How do I order?

Place your rental order at this website.

How do I get my gown?

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 collections tent for 1 hour after the ceremony ends. Rental apparel can also be returned to the stores free of charge the first Monday after the ceremony. If Monday is a holiday such as Memorial Day or Juneteenth, then the deadline will be Tuesday because the store is closed on Monday. After that starting on Tuesday (or Wednesday) the late fee will be $5 and will increase by $5 each week that it is late.

What is the deadline to return the rental?

Deadline to return is Monday following your ceremony date. Tuesday is the deadline if Monday is a school holiday such as Memorial Day or Juneteenth and the store is closed.

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.

Keeper Cap and Navy Blue Tassel set for bachelors and masters degree.

Keeper Cap and Gold Tassel set for PhD degree.

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].