Commencement

Information related to Regalia (Cap & Gown) pricing/ordering, Diploma Frames, Class Rings, and our annual Graduation Fair are located on this page.

Please see the official RPI Commencement Page for information related to the 2022 Commencement Ceremony.

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Regalia (Cap and Gown) Information

Planning for the 2024 Commencement Ceremony is ongoing.  This page provides information related to the purchasing of Regalia (cap & gowns).  Please see below, including our 2024 Commencement FAQ section.

Bachelor and Master Degree Regalia

Bachelor and Master graduates are required to purchase their regalia from the Collegiate Store no later than Monday, March 25, 2024.  

            Bachelor and Master graduates should purchase their regalia through our retail site.

 

            Pricing for Commencement 2024 is as follows:

 

            Bachelor’s Package (cap, gown, hood, and tassel) -- $71.00 + New York state tax

            Master’s Package (cap, gown, hood, and tassel) -- $79.00 + New York state tax

Doctoral Degree Regalia

            Doctoral Regalia is specially designed for Rensselaer doctoral graduates and is available for rent and purchase.

            Doctoral candidates are requested to place their rental orders no later than Friday, April 12, 2024.

 

            Regalia Purchase

            Rensselaer Doctoral Regalia is available for purchase from the Collegiate store. The cost is $1220.00 for 2024 and requires 8 weeks to manufacture. 

            Purchase orders will need to be made by Friday, March 15, 2024 in order to be ready for the RPI Commencement ceremony.

            For more information, please contact the store by calling (518) 276-8604 or via e-mail.

 

            Regalia Rental

            Rensselaer Doctoral Regalia is available for rent from the Collegiate Store.  The cost is $116.00 for 2024.

            We ask that Doctoral graduates place their rental orders through our retail site.

            For more information, please contact the store by calling (518) 276-8604 or via e-mail.

 

For Rensselaer @ Hartford Graduates

For the 2024 Commencement Ceremony, please refer to the official RPI Commencement FAQ page for information about participation eligibility.

 

            Regardless of participation eligibility, graduates may still obtain their Regalia by placing an order through our retail site.

 

For Non-Local Graduates

For the 2024 Commencement Ceremony, please refer to the official RPI Commencement FAQ page for information about participation eligibility.

 

            Regardless of participation eligibility, graduates may still obtain their Regalia by placing an order through our retail site.

Refunds

Please refer to our General Merchandise refund section for more information on returns and refunds.

Regalia purchase and rentals can be returned UNUSED and UNOPENED with original receipt / packing slip until close of business on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Refunds will not be issued after that time.

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2024 Commencement FAQ

Planning for the 2024 Commencement Ceremony is ongoing. 

This section addresses questions related to Regalia from the Rensselaer Collegiate Store.

For questions related to the 2024 Commencement Ceremony, please refer to the official RPI Commencement FAQ page.

If any of your questions or concerns are not addressed below, please email us at: RPI@bkstr.com and we will respond as quickly as we can.

I am a Bachelor’s/Master’s graduate. How do I obtain my Regalia?

Bachelor and Master graduates on campus are invited to come into the store to purchase their regalia or place their orders on the graduation page of our retail website.

Choose the appropriate Regalia package and select your height and weight ranges.  In the last field, enter your major (ex. Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, etc.).

To ensure an adequate supply of correct sizes, Bachelor and Master graduates are requested to purchase their regalia from the Collegiate Store no later than Friday, April 29, 2022.

Pricing for Commencement 2022 is as follows:

Individual components may be ordered separately. Please contact the store via the phone (518)-276-6555 or by email to request those components.

I will be awarded multiple degrees. How do I place an order for my Regalia?

Students graduating with multiple majors will need to order their regalia under the primary major listed with the Registrar’s office.

I am a co-terminal student. How do I place an order for my Regalia?

Master’s and Bachelor’s Simultaneously

If you are a co-terminal student obtaining both your Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees simultaneously, you will need to order the Master’s Regalia Package for participation in the Commencement Ceremony.

Master’s and Bachelor’s in Separate Years

If you are a co-terminal student and are obtaining your Bachelor’s degree this year and your Master’s in a subsequent year, you will need to obtain the Bachelor’s Regalia Package for participation in the Commencement Ceremony celebrating your undergraduate achievement.

The Bachelor’s and Master’s Regalia packages are different.  Upon completion of your Master’s degree, a Master’s Regalia Package will be required for participation in the Commencement Ceremony celebrating your graduate achievement.

What is the difference between a Bachelor’s and Master’s Regalia Package?

Bachelor’s and Master’s Regalia packages each include a Cap, Gown, Tassel, and Hood.  There are, however, differences in the construction of the Gown and Hood for each package.

Gown

The sleeve of the Master’s gown has an extended, oblong section of fabric that extends beyond the opening for the wrist.

Hood

There are two differences between a Master’s hood and a Bachelor’s hood.  A Master’s hood, when worn, extends further down the graduate’s back than a Bachelor hood.  The band of flock (colored fabric which denotes major) is wider on a Master’s hood.

I am a Doctoral graduate. How do I obtain my Regalia?

Doctoral Regalia is specially designed for Rensselaer doctoral graduates and is available for rent and purchase.

Doctoral candidates are requested to place their rental order no later than Friday, April 15, 2022.

Regalia Rental

Doctoral graduates are invited to rent their Regalia through our retail website.

Select your height and weight ranges.  In the last field, enter your major (ex. Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, etc.).

Note: The Doctoral Regalia incorporates a Beefeater style cap which is sized.  Please refer to the size chart and instructions on the product screen to estimate your cap size.  Include that information in the special instructions field during checkout.

The rental price for Commencement 2022 is $107.00.

Regalia Purchase

Rensselaer Doctoral Regalia is available for purchase from the Collegiate store. The cost is $1124.00 for 2022 and requires 8 weeks to manufacture. Purchase orders will need to be made by Friday, March 18, 2022 in order to be ready for the RPI Commencement ceremony.

For more information, please contact the store by calling (518) 276-8604 or via e-mail.

I am a Doctoral graduate. How do I return my Regalia to the store after the ceremony?

We are still finalizing the process for this. 

Doctoral graduates will be provided this information when picking up their Regalia from the store.

Once the plans are finalized, this section will be updated.

I placed my order for Regalia but have not yet received it. When will it be available?

Bachelor’s and Master’s Graduates

This regalia has arrived in the store and is ready for pickup.  The Graduation Fair on March 2nd begins the commencement season.  Student are invited to participate in this event, but it is not required.  Orders for regalia may be placed on our retail site at any time.

Doctoral Graduates

The Collegiate Store anticipates our shipment of Regalia to arrive by the third week of May 2022.

Graduates will be contacted via email to pick-up their Regalia from the store once we have fulfilled the order.  Instructions on how, when, and where to return your rental Regalia after the ceremony will be provided at the time of pick-up.

I am not participating in the 2022 Commencement Ceremony. How can I still obtain graduation Regalia?

The Collegiate Store fully understands the desire to fulfill the graduation experience with family and friends.  Graduates that are not participating in the 2022 Commencement Ceremony are still able to obtain their Regalia.

Graduates are invited to place their orders on the graduation page of our retail website.

For more information, please contact the store by calling (518) 276-8604 or via e-mail.

Will the Collegiate Store be open on the day of the Commencement Ceremony?

The details for the 2022 Commencement Ceremony are still being finalized.  Once we have notification of the plans for the ceremony, we will update this section.

Please check back often for updates.

In the meantime, graduates are invited to shop online from the Collegiate Store.

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Diploma Frames

The Rensselaer Collegiate Store stocks several diploma frame styles for sale on our website.

Some custom style frames (indicated as "ONLINE ONLY") may take several weeks for assembly prior to shipping.

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Class Rings

Class rings are sold direct

Dates for upcoming ring events will be posted on the Rensselaer events calendar and Morning Mail.

Class Ring questions can be dire

ly through Jostens.

The Collegiate Store hosts ring events periodically during the year in both the store and Rensselar Union.

cted to the store at: RPI@bkstr.com.

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Graduation Fair

The Rensselaer Collegiate Store will be hosting its annual Graduation Fair on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 from 11am – 5pm.

We want to make sure all members of this years’ graduating class are prepared for Commencement on May 18th!

We will have several offices from campus available in store to assist with any questions you might have about your graduation status, commencement details, Class Council, Alumni membership, Diploma frames, Class Rings, and Cap & Gowns.

We hope to see you there!

The Graduation Fair begins the commencement season.  If you are unable to attend the event, students are invited to shop our retail site for regalia and other graduation related products.