Convocation 2023

Gown and Hood Rental

Graduating students wear an academic gown and the hood appropriate to their discipline.  Adornments (e.g. cord or medallion) awarded to the graduating student in recognition of outstanding achievement by a professional society, the University of Windsor or their home Faculty may also be worn.  Exceptions to this practice are Indigenous students, active military or law enforcement personnel, and clergy or members of religious orders, who may choose to wear their unique apparel.

Gown Rental Details

Please pre-order Academic Regalia (gown and hood):  
It is highly recommended that you pre-order your gown to avoid lineups the day of your ceremony.

Rental is available online at:  https://www.canadiangowns.com/uwindsor
The rental fee (set by the company) is $29  ($14.50 for the gown; $14.50 for the hood).
The Ph.D. fee is $45 ($30.00 for the gown; $15.00 for the hood).
Prices include tax.

Hoods are not required for candidates from diploma and certificate programs. 

Gown Pick-up

Gown pick-up will be on site at the Toldo Lancer Centre on your graduation ceremony day.  (For morning ceremonies, gown pick up will also be available 4pm - 7pm, the previous evening.)

Please have your gown picked up at least 1 hour prior to your session start time.  Please allow yourself enough time, as line ups can be long for those who did not pre-order.

The Graduand or a delegate must present the Graduand’s student number. The gown and hood must be returned to the Gown site at the Toldo Lancer Centre within one hour of the Convocation ceremony.

Gown Rental Refunds for those that cannot make it to Convocation

If you have rented gowns and are now unable to attend, a refund is available through Canadian Caps and Gowns if the request is received by 10 days prior to your ceremony date. Please email rentals@canadiangowns.com to cancel your rental.


Please return your Graduation gowns as soon as your convocation ceremony is finished:

ACADEMIC DRESS NOT RETURNED AFTER CONVOCATION CEREMONY, MUST BE SHIPPED BY COURIER TO: 
Canadian Caps and Gowns
1534 Windsor Avenue, Unit 2
Windsor, Ont N8X 3M4
(AT THE GRADUATE'S EXPENSE) 
Tel:  1-888-557-4696;    email:  rentals@CanadianGowns.com

Replacement Fees for unreturned or lost Gown and Hood:

  • Undergrad / Graduate / Law Gown & Hood:  $125.00
  • PhD Gown & Hood:  $350.00

Convocation is a formal event… appropriate attire under the gown is recommended. 
Graduands may wish to bring a few safety pins to secure their hood or gown. Academic head-gear (mortarboards) are not used.

Baccalaureate (bachelor’s) hoods are black, lined with Windsor colours: monastra blue with two gold chevrons; the hoods are three feet long with a two-inch velvet border.

The colour of the border indicates the discipline in which the Graduate is receiving his or her degree:

Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Science

Arts & Science (mauve)
Arts (white)
Fine Arts (brown)
Music (pink)
Public Administration (emerald green)
Social Work (peach)

Odette School of Business

Business Administration (sapphire)
Business Studies (navy blue)

Faculty of Engineering

Applied Science (orange)
MEng, BEng.Tech (grey)

Faculty of Human Kinetics

Human Kinetics (sage green)

Faculty of Nursing

Nursing (apricot)

Faculty of Science

Science (golden yellow)
Computer Science (antique gold)
Environmental Studies (bright green)
Forensic Science (red)
Mathematics (mint green)
Operational Research (burgundy)

Faculty of Education

Education (light blue)

Faculty of Law

Law (purple)

All candidates at the doctoral level receive the Doctor of Philosophy degree, which is conferred in the area of specialty.

Doctoral hoods are of the full Oxford design, and are gold, lined in monastral blue with two gold chevrons.

The hood for the Honourary Degree (honoris causa) is of the same pattern as that of the Doctor of Philosophy, but is of monastral blue velvet with gold soutache braid trim, matching the blue and gold Honorary Gown. Honorary degrees are awarded not only for the outstanding intellectual accomplishments but also for the major contributions to the arts, culture and society at large.