What Is the Correct Placement of a Graduation Tassel?

Graduation ceremonies date back centuries.

Graduation ceremonies are traditions of learning institutions, honoring students who have successfully completed degree requirements. Ceremonies are uniformed and include a cap, gown and degree classification tassel. Graduation ceremonies date back to the 12th century and have evolved throughout the years to fit customs and standards of the day. Each school or academic institution has its own traditions and customs and proper etiquette to follow for the event.

History

The square stiff cap worn today by graduating students was first developed in the 16th century, becoming popular at Oxford University in England. The shape of the hat is square and resembles a book. The original gowns worn started off resembling the color associated with the type of degree being obtained. Today, the color choice is strictly subjective, often times matching the schools' colors. Fabrics for caps are cotton poplin, broadcloth, rayon or silk and should match the material of the gown. Velvet material is only used for doctorate degrees. Tassels were developed to signify the type of degree achieved and as a symbol of completion during the ceremony.

Placement

Tassels are attached to the top middle of the graduation cap. Candidates for first degrees (undergraduates) or high school graduates wear tassels on the right side of the cap until being awarded a degree or diploma. Once the degree is received, the tassel is moved to the left side of the cap when the student is walking across the stage or at the conclusion of the ceremony. The exception is a graduate degree ceremony. At a master's degree ceremony the tassel is worn on the left side of the cap and moved to the right side when the degree is awarded.

Types

Tassel colors typically vary according to the degree of study. Doctorate degree tassels are gold. Light blue is the color for education majors. Liberal arts tassels are white. Graduate school tassels are black. A science degree tassel is golden yellow, and engineering is orange. In addition to the specified tassel color, the year of graduation is attached to the side of the tassel.

Traditions

Women have to wear the graduation cap during the entire ceremony. Men are allowed to take off the cap only during the singing of the national anthem. At the conclusion of the graduation ceremony, tossing the cap in the air is a widely adopted tradition. It signifies the final chapter in the graduate's school life and also is a form of celebration for the graduating class. Tassels are often removed from the cap prior to the tossing tradition and kept with other school memorabilia.

Memorabilia

Memorabilia from the graduation often is kept and cherished to commemorate the graduate's experience and time spent in school. In addition to the tassel, other items are sold and customized for graduates. These include yearbooks, a class ring, apparel and autograph books, which are signed by classmates and personalized for the graduate. The graduation year, name of the school and school colors are all common on graduation memorabilia.

References

• History of Graduations
• Graduation Tassels