ACADEMIC REGALIA

The wearing of academic costume is a tradition that has continued since the Middle Ages, when the first universities were founded. The regalia vary slightly from one university to another, and within a university, according to the status of the wearer. At the University of Guelph, the undergraduate and master’s gowns are black and doctoral gowns are blue.

The bachelor’s hood is edged with the distinctive colour. The master’s hood is the same as the bachelor’s except that it features a double edge.

The colours for the degrees are as follows:

Bachelor of Applied Science – blue

Bachelor of Arts – white

Bachelor of Arts and Sciences – narrow white and gold

Bachelor of Bio-Resource Management – red and gold

Bachelor of Commerce – taupe

Bachelor of Computing – dark blue

Bachelor of Engineering – dark green

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture – orange

Bachelor of Science – gold

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture – yellow

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences – purple

Bachelor of Science in Technology – narrow blue and gold

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine – brown

Master of Applied Nutrition – pale gold/pale green

Master of Applied Science –gold/green

Master of Arts – white

Master of Arts (Leadership) – white

Master of Bioinformatics – gold/red

Master of Biomedical Sciences - gold

Master of Biotechnology - gold

Master of Business Administration – grey/silver

Master of Engineering – green

Master of Environmental Sciences – purple

Master of Fine Arts – red and white

Master of Food, Agriculture and Resource Economics - gold

Master of Landscape Architecture – orange

Master of Planning – dark green

Master of Public Health – blue

Master of Science – gold

Master of Science (Planning) – gold

Doctor of Philosophy – gold with blue cord

Doctor of Veterinary Science – gold with gold cord

The dignified ceremonials used for conferring degrees have evolved from rituals used in the 12 th and 13 th century church. Early students were usually clerks in holy orders, monks or priests who wore a habit or cloak with a cowl or hood. Modern academic costume has its roots in the colourful robes introduced by Oxford and Cambridge 600 years ago.

The convocation ceremony is also an ancient tradition. The ceremony begins with the arrival of the mace, symbol of the University of Guelph, and the chancellor, our senior executive officer. The chancellor confers the degree or grants the diploma while the beadle places the hood over the recipient’s shoulders. At the University of Guelph, the beadle – another link between the University and its clerical roots – is the secretary of Senate. The presentation of the parchment is the final act of the ceremony.