Faculty, Administration and Staff: If you were unable to join us for the Regalia Purchase and Rental event last week, you will need to order your regalia via the customer service line (custom regalia) or online (rental).
Purchase Program - https://college.oakhalli.com/college/govstfaculty/ or please contact Oak Hall's customer service line between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., at 800.223.0429 (mention Governors State University).
Rental Program - https://college.oakhalli.com/college/govstfaculty/
Benefits of the program:
Regalia options include:
Because the university is subsidizing the purchase of academic regalia by university employees, the university will no longer provide employees with rented academic regalia. If employees prefer to rent academic regalia rather than purchase their own personalized regalia, each individual employee will be able to arrange rental of academic regalia with Oak Hall Cap & Gown at the employee's expense.
Frequently Asked Questions Concerning GSU Academic Regalia
Q: Who will wear the new regalia?
A: This regalia can be worn by GSU faculty, administration, and staff who are now in academic positions where they are expected to wear regalia in Commencement and other ceremonies. Usually, they have the option of renting standard regalia, but many prefer to have their own custom-made. The expectation is that they would have the opportunity to use this many times throughout their careers.
Q: How much will it cost?
A: You will pay 50 percent of the cost to purchase your regalia and GSU will pay 50 percent of the remaining cost of your regalia as listed below. The entire set, which includes the gown, hood, tam, tassel, garment bag, and initials inside gown, is as follows:
Again, we expect that faculty, administration, and staff who are in academic positions will be wearing this regularly over the span of their careers will be interested in making this investment.
Q: Can I purchase my alma mater’s regalia?
A: Yes, you may. If you’d like to upgrade or purchase your own institution’s regalia, GSU will only pick up the cost of the purchase program pricing offered. You will have to pay the difference. (Example: If your custom order for a Doctor Gown is $700, you will pay $480 and GSU will pay $219.50)
Q: I am a member of the GSU Faculty but I attended another university. What should I wear if I would like to participate in a GSU Commencement ceremony?
A: We enthusiastically encourage our faculty to participate in Commencement! If you are not an alumnus/a of the school, you would wear the regalia of your alma mater for your highest academic degree. You may either purchase your own (you may look up your school on the Oak Hall website or check with the school itself) or rent regalia (at your own expense) through Oak Hall as well.
Q: Who is producing our regalia?
A: We have commissioned Oak Hall Cap & Gown to manufacture our regalia. This is a highly-respected company that produces regalia for the Ivy League and many other schools. It is based in Salem, VA. The company's website can be found at www.oakhalli.com
Q: Why do we need special academic regalia?
A: Many schools, including those in the Ivy League, have their own distinctive regalia for use in official ceremonies. We think having our own regalia will add to the history and tradition of our own school and encourage more faculty, administrators, and staff to participate in these precious and time honored ceremonies.
Q: How did you choose the colors? Why are they significant?
A: Many aspects of academic dress are dictated by a code that goes back to medieval traditions. Most schools' academic regalia design takes this code into consideration while still trying to maintain a distinctive overall design in order to create recognizable regalia, i.e. the University of Chicago’s burgundy gown.
Our regalia design has incorporated our school color of black. Please note: All Ph.D. Doctor Hoods will receive Ph.D. Blue Velvet unless otherwise noted. All other hoods will receive velvet, which corresponds with the last wording of your degree. Example: Master of Science in Education will receive Education velvet unless otherwise noted.
Q: I am an alumnus/a of GSU and would like to purchase regalia for ceremonies at the institution where I am now a professor. How do I order it?
A: Please visit the website for Oak Hall Cap & Gown at www.oakhalli.com for more information.
Q: When and where can I place my order, get measured, etc.
A: GSU will host a Academic Regalia Fair, on April 2 and 3, at which time you can come in and order place your order for your gown, hood, cap/tam, etc. It takes approximately eight weeks for processing and delivery. Your custom regalia order will be delivered to the Special Events Office, which they will then deliver it to you.
Q: What if I am unable to attend this special event?
A: If you're unable to attend either day - online ordering will be available April 3 through April 12.
