Academic Dress

If you’re an undergraduate student, the tassel on your graduation cap indicates your field of study. If you’re a graduate student, the tassel indicates your degree, and the velvet trim of your hood indicates your field of study.

Here’s what each color represents at CU Boulder:

Tassel Colors

• Arts & Sciences: White
• Business: Royal blue
• Education: Light blue
• Engineering: Orange
• Environmental Design: Lavender
• Fine Arts: Brown
• Media, Communication & Information: Red
• Music: Pink
• Master's: Black
• Doctoral: Gold bullion

Master’s Hood Velvet Border Colors

• Arts: White
• Business: Royal blue
• Education: Light blue
• Engineering: Orange
• Fine Arts: Brown
• Law: Purple
• Media, Communication & Information: Red
• Music: Pink
• Science: Gold

Doctoral Hood Velvet Border Colors

• Audiology: Green
• Law: Purple
• Musical Arts: Pink
• Philosophy: Royal blue

If you are an undergraduate graduating with academic honors, you may receive a medal to wear in addition to your graduation gown.

These medals are given to graduating students by their academic colleges and schools. Students in the Arts & Sciences Honors Program will receive their medals at the program's Honors Convocation.

• With Distinction: Royal Blue
• With High Distinction: Burgundy
• With Honors: White
• With High Honors: Light blue
• With Highest Honors: Pink
• Cum Laude: Green
• Magna Cum Laude: Red
• Summa Cum Laude: Dark purple

Please note: not all colleges and schools recognize all of the academic honors listed above

You may wear different cords on graduation day to indicate a specific affiliation, legacy or academic achievement tied to your degree. If you believe you qualify for a particular cord, we recommend contacting the unit linked in the description.

Here’s a glossary of the approved cords recognized at CU Boulder:

• Black & Gold: Provided to students who are members of CU Boulder's Buffalo legacy families
• Black & Royal Blue: Awarded to students who completed the Actuarial Studies and Quantitative Finance Certificate Program houses in the College of Arts & Sciences and the Leeds School of Business
• Black & Silver: Identifies students enrolled in the space minor who received an overarching background in all aspects of space
• Black & White: Acknowledges the hard work, dedication and contributions of the CU Book Store student employees
• Black, Maroon & Red: Recognizing students who have taken part in helping End Overdose at CU Boulder’s mission to provide free naloxone, public education and medical intervention training
• Black, Purple & Gold: Given to members of the CU Engineering Council (UCEC) who have been actively engaged in the organization while representing the interests of all engineering students
• Black, Purple & White: Worn by active members of the CU Pre-Dental Society student organization
• Black, Silver & White: Earned by undergraduate students completing the Lighting Design Certificate offered by Architectural Engineering
• Blue & Forest Green: Acknowledges student members of the Engineers Without Borders chapter at CU Boulder who have meaningfully contributed to the chapter and its communities, exemplifying what it means to be a global engineer
• Blue & Green: Recognizes students who have successfully completed one or more CU Boulder Education Abroad programs or internships abroad
• Blue & Orange: Worn by student scholars affiliated with the Denver Scholarship Foundation
• Blue & Red: Given to members of the Student Academy of Audiology’s CU Boulder chapter, who have been engaged in the audiology community
• Blue & White: Acknowledges student members of the American Society for Engineering Management chapter at CU Boulder Student, who have expanded their knowledge in engineering management while enhancing their résumés
• Blue & White: Recognizes graduating seniors who have been inducted into the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH)
• Blue & Yellow: Worn by student employees of the UPS Stores located in the residential communities on the CU Boulder campus
• Blue, White & Yellow: Recognizes the Engineering Support Students in the Integrated Teaching and Learning Program for their excellent work, customer service and support of engineering education
• Blue, White & Yellow: Worn by members of the Students Supporting Israel organization on campus
• Bronze & Purple: Acknowledges students who complete an academic minor in Electrical, Computer, Quantum or Systems & Signals engineering
• Brown: Awarded by the Michael A. Klump Center For Real Estate and signifying the legacies that MBA graduates completing a pathway in real estate will create in their communities
• Burgundy & Pink: Symbolizes the CU in D.C. program, which many students say is a pivotal and defining part of their CU Boulder experience
• Crimson & Silver: Recognizes students who have engaged in one or more of the College of Media, Communication and Information’s (CMCI) student media outlets or student organizations for a full year or more
• Forest Green & Silver: Awarded to students in the Leeds School of Business who have excelled in entrepreneurship by completing the Entrepreneurial Studies Certificate program
• Fuchsia: Awarded to students who complete the Certificate in Peace, Conflict, and Security (PACS), recognizing their skills in advocacy, collaboration and peacebuilding
• Gold: Signifies completion of the Leadership Studies Minor, which enables students to develop as leaders
• Gold & Silver: Awarded by the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship and recognizing students in the High-Growth Venture Fellowship Program, an MBA honors experience incorporating academic and experiential learning opportunities unique to growth-stage companies
• Gold, Red & Silver: Recognizes students who have worked or volunteered as first responders during their time at CU Boulder
• Green: Signifies graduating students who took the Green Graduation Pledge, a commitment to “explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job . . . and to try to improve these aspects”
• Grey & Pink: Recognizes students who have worked or volunteered with the Basic Needs Center and have shown exemplary efforts to support fellow students in crises and/or facing basic needs insecurity
• Green & Black: Identifies seniors who competed in the iGem international synthetic biology competition
• Green & Yellow: Worn by graduating students who were board members for the Brazilian Association at CU Boulder (BRASA)
• Lavender, Maize & White: Acknowledges students who have served as a community representative volunteer with the CU Restorative Justice program
• Lemon Yellow: Recognizes student workers at the University Libraries for their contributions to the mission of the libraries and the scholarly success of their fellow students and CU faculty
• Light Blue: Identifies graduates who dedicated time to their personal leadership development through participation in the Center for Leadership programming
• Light Blue: Signifies students who have completed a School of Education teacher education program as a part of their undergraduate studies
• Light Blue & Royal Blue: Given to members of the CU Physician Assistant Club who served on the CUPA Executive Board and demonstrated a commitment to the future of healthcare
• Light Pink: Worn by students who are a part of the Women in Business club
• Maroon: Recognizes students who successfully completed the Personal Financial Planning Program, signifying expertise and readiness for careers in financial planning and wealth management
• Mustard Yellow: Earned by aspiring construction engineers who complete the Kiewit Design-Building Scholar program
• Navy & Silver: Acknowledges Beckman Scholars in the biological and chemical sciences, a prestigious program that offers an in-depth research experience to exceptionally talented undergraduates
• Navy & White: Given to members of the Leeds Investment & Trading Group, a student-led organization dedicated to cultivating intellectually curious students equipped to participate in the financial markets
• Old Gold: Worn by members of the CU Boulder international student community by the Office of International Students and Scholars
• Orange: Provided to “Engagers” dedicated to creating a world where healthcare is a human right through education, advocacy and fundraising with Partners in Health Engage
• Orange & White: Given to student members of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association chapter at CU Boulder
• Pink & Silver: Recognizes dedicated members of the Pre-Veterinary Club
• Purple & Gold: Signifies students’ involvement in the College of Arts and Sciences Honors Program at CU Boulder as an Honors Scholar
• Purple, Green & Gold: Recognizes the dedication of University Housing student employees who guide first-year students and support returning students with their campus housing experience
• Rainbow Colors: Celebrates seniors who have been active members of the Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oStem) student organization
• Red: Recognizes students who have participated in a program through the Center for Ethics and Responsibility, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability
• Red: Worn by graduates who have served as a Learning Assistant, undergraduate students who support fellow students in a variety of academic environments
• Red & Yellow: Identifies student members of the Chinese Students and Scholars Association, a group dedicated to building a bridge to help students better understand Chinese culture and increasing the diversity of our campus
• Red, Orange & Purple: Awarded to Smead Scholars in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the aerospace department’s flagship recruitment and retention program
• Red, Royal & Gold: Acknowledges Benson Center Undergraduate Fellows who were active participants in center events and supported community dialogues on timely topics
• Red, White & Blue: Designates veterans with previous active duty service
• Royal Blue: Acknowledges students who contributed to the senior class gift fund
• Royal Blue & Gold: Recognizes Student Advisory Board members in the College of Arts and Sciences for their service and dedication to improving the A&S student experience
• Royal Blue & Kelly Green: Worn by members of the CU Boulder chapter of the Society of Asian Scientists & Engineers (SASE)
• Royal Blue & Orange: Awarded to students who made a lasting impact in Bridge Buffs, the CU Boulder student chapter of Engineers in Action
• Royal Blue & Red: Identifies students who completed the biomedical engineering minor, an exciting, multidisciplinary field that lies at the interface of medicine, biology and engineering
• Royal Blue & Silver: Provided to graduates who have contributed to the community of local start-up businesses through the Leeds School of Business consulting group
• Royal Blue, Gold & White: Given to students having completed least one semester of the Community Scholars internship program
• Royal Purple: Signifies student leaders of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), the world’s leading organization of chemical engineers
• Salmon: Identifies students who completed the Public Health Certificate program in the College of Arts and Sciences
• Silver: Earned by students who are dedicated to entering a career in health care
• Silver & Light Blue:  Given to active members in the School of Education Student Government
• Silver & Purple: Given to graduating students who were active members in the Society of Women Engineers
• Silver & White: Signifies members of the Air Force Honor Guard during graduation, serving as a symbol of the military shoulder cords worn when in uniform
• Teal: Given to participants in the Gaining Opportunities through Leadership Development (CU GOLD) program, who are dedicated to the mission that any student can be a leader
• Teal & Gold: Identifies College of Arts and Sciences ambassadors
• Teal & Grey: Recognizes graduates obtaining degrees in a variety of fields as a part of the Boundless Opportunity Scholarship, made possible by a grant from the Daniels Fund
• Teal & White: Worn by Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Collegiate Program students in tribute to Bill Daniels and the ethics based principles he embodied

You can wear graduation stoles, or sashes, to represent communities, clubs and organizations you were a part of at CU Boulder. If you believe you are eligible to receive a particular stole, we recommend contacting the unit linked in the description.

These are the approved stoles recognized at CU Boulder:

• Chancellor's Recognition Award (Silver Stole with Gold Trim): Recognizes the recipients of the Chancellor’s Recognition Award, which honors students who have earned perfect 4.0 GPAs at CU Boulder
• Degree Stole: Bachelor's degree students have the option to dress up their gown by purchasing custom stoles from the CU Bookstore to represent their colleges and schools
• First-Generation Stole (White Stole with Gold Trim): Celebrates and acknowledges first-generation students' achievement of being the first in their family to graduate with a bachelor's or graduate degree
• Black Stole: Given to Presidents Leadership Class (PLC) graduates who have completed all academic, experiential, and service requirements of the program
• Black Stole with Blue Trim: Designed to represent the hard work of the graduates of the NASA Colorado Space Grant Consortium (COSGC), to recognize their impact on the scientific community and to encourage growth beyond NASA COSGC
• Black Stole with Purple Trim: Acknowledges members of the CU Engineering Council board of executives for their outstanding leadership in service to the engineering community
• Black Stole with White Trim: Worn by active members within the CU Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (CUSEDS) club
• Blue Stole with Black Trim: Recognizes the MBA graduates that were elected and served on the MBA Association Board
• Blue Stole with Gold Trim: Signifying membership in the Beta Gamma Sigma international honors society recognizing graduates with outstanding scholastic achievement at an accredited business school
• Forest Green Stole with Silver Trim: Recognizing the hard work and dedication of seniors serving on the Environmental Center student board
• Gold Stole with Black Trim: Acknowledges the commitment of student ambassadors at the CU Boulder Office of Admissions to being the face of the university and helping prospective students in their transition
• Gold Stole with Green Trim: Acknowledges the Office of Financial Aid student employees’ commitment to helping students and their families navigate financial aid, scholarships and work study
• Gold Stole with Ivory Trim: Recognizes graduating seniors who have contributed to the success of the Conference on World Affairs (CWA) through their volunteerism and leadership
• Gold Stole with Silver Trim: Given to students who identify as part of our Asian and Asian Pacific Islander community on campus Register through the Alumni Association
• Golden Buffalo Marching Band Medallion: Graduating members of the marching band are invited to wear their medallions as a symbol of their dedication to the tradition, heartbeat, spirit and pride of the organization
• Kente Cloth: Given to students who identify as part of our Black/African American/African community on campus to acknowledge ancient African traditions, ancestry and culture Register through the Alumni Association
• Lavender & Rainbow Stole: Given to students who identify within the LGBTQ+ community and/or have achieved significant positive change for the LGBTQ+ community on campus Register through the Alumni Association
• Light Blue Stole with Gold Trim: Worn by members of the Latine Student Alliance, which aims to create a home away from home for students who identify within the Latine community
• Light Blue Stole with Royal Blue Trim: Celebrates seniors who have reached an honorary status and have been active members in the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association chapter at CU Boulder
• Light Pink Stole with White Trim: Celebrates the contribution of executive team members of the CU Women in Sports organization
• Maroon Stole: Acknowledges student members of Rotaract, the campus chapter of the Boulder Rotary Club
• Maroon Stole: Worn by members of Sigma Gamma Tau, a national fraternity and honor society in aerospace engineering
• Navy Stole with Gold Trim: Recognizes graduating officers who have served the American Association of Engineers of Indian Origin (AAEIO) and represented leadership, cultural pride and engineering excellence through their contributions
• Navy Stole with White Trim: Recognizes Arts and Sciences Student Government representatives for their service and dedication to the A&S student body
• Nickle Stole: Celebrates students who are graduating as a current Division 1 student-athlete with the CU Boulder athletic department
• Old Gold Stole with Black Trim: Provided to students who have been involved in CU Student Government (CUSG)
• Old Gold Stole with White Trim: Provided to student leaders in the Office of International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) to recognize their impact on intercultural inclusiveness and engagement on campus
• Pendleton Blanket: Blankets have a long and rich history with Native American people of all tribal traditions, from the buffalo robes given to honor people for noteworthy accomplishments among Plains tribes to the weaving traditions in the Southwest that yielded signature blankets we still strongly associate with Native peoples and identities Register through the Alumni Association
• Purple Stole: Acknowledges acceptance into Chi Epsilon, an honor society recognizing  students in the top third of their class in Civil Engineering or Architectural Engineering
• Red-Orange Stole with Gold Trim: Acknowledges seniors who have participated in the CU Sounding Rocket Lab (SRL) student organization
• Royal Blue Stole with White Trim: Recognizes members of the Senior Class Council for their dedication and service to the graduating class of CU Boulder
• Serape Stole: Uses traditional Indigenous/Latinx serape blanket material to celebrate a connection with Indigenous and Latinx communities and countries, and to commemorate Latinx culture combined with a symbol of graduation Register through the Alumni Association
• Silver Stole: Acknowledges the contribution of Residence Life student leaders to the CU Boulder residential communities and the crucial role they play in creating a positive experience for first-year students
• Silver Stole with Light Blue Trim: Recognizes members of the School of Education Student Government who served as executive committee members for an entire term
• Silver Stole with Purple Trim: Given to graduates who have served on the Society of Women Engineers officer board
• White Stole: Awarded to students active in the American Society of Civil Engineers
• White Stole with Black Trim: Recognizes graduates who have competed in collegiate alpine racing as part of the Colorado Ski Racing team, which is a part of the United States Collegiate Ski & Snowboard Association (UCCSA)
• White Stole with Forest Green Trim: Recognizes student leaders who have dedicated time serving as a facilitator for the CU Restorative Justice program
• White Stole with Mauve Trim: Recognizes participation in a student leadership fellowship program affiliated with the Renée Crown Wellness Institute
• White Stole with Yellow Trim: Acknowledges graduates with a commitment to serving as the face of the College of Media, Communication and Information as an ambassador and/or dedication to helping the community through holding an executive leadership position in CMCI Student Government