Regalia Information
Students participating in convocation must wear the proper VIU regalia for their program (cap and gown, and hood or stole for some programs), with the exception that Indigenous students may wear traditional regalia.
VIU regalia is an academic tradition, as such no embellishments or variations are permitted.
If you plan to wear your Indigenous/Métis/Inuit regalia instead of VIU regalia, please email us at Convocation@viu.ca to let us know. That way, we won't worry if we don't see your name in the list of VIU regalia orders.
Rent regalia online through Gaspard's Build-a-Grad order site.
Place your order between April 8 to May 10, 2024.
See the Build-a-Grad site for rental fees and other information.
The VIU Graduation/Alumni fee does not cover the cost of renting regalia.
Pick up from the the Nanaimo Campus Store during business hours starting on Friday, June 7, 2024 up to and including the day of your ceremony. Campus Store hours shift to 8 am to 4 pm during convocation week. We highly recommend you pick up your regalia before the day of your ceremony if possible.
To authorize someone else to pick up your regalia on your behalf, give them a note of permission (a letter or email) to take with them to the Campus Store. Your note should include your full name and student number, and the exact credential you are receiving, to ensure they get the correct regalia.
Return to the Nanaimo Campus Store, in Building 305, immediately after your ceremony.
It may be possible to place a late order through the Nanaimo Campus Store. Email Campus-Store@viu.ca to inquire.
A non-refundable $55 late fee will be charged in addition to the rental cost.
If you are graduating with a bachelor's or master's degree, you will wear a coloured hood over a black gown. If you are graduating with an advanced diploma, post-degree diploma, graduate diploma or graduate certificate, you will wear a coloured stole over a black gown. Find your program's hood or stole colour.
If you are graduating with a certificate or diploma, you wear the black gown and cap (no hood or stole).
If your program wears a hood, you will need to use safety pins to hold your hood in place. VIU staff, also know as "pinners", will be available in your muster location before your ceremony to help pin your hood to your gown. Learn how to pin a hood to regalia.
- Check the tassel to be sure it is tightly secured under the button. You may have to pull on it a bit.
- Look for the elastic on the cap. Place the cap flat on your head with the elastic at the back of your head. A point of the cap should be directly over your nose.
- Make sure the cap is flat when you are looking straight ahead. It should not be tilted. Check in a mirror or have a friend help you.
- Place the tassel on the right side of the cap, between your right eye and your right ear. During the ceremony you will be told when to move your tassel to the left side.
- If the cap feels like it might slip, use a couple bobby pins (supplied at muster locations) to hold the cap to your hair.
Tassel securely under the button
Tassel on the right | 
| Elastic at the back of the head
Cap lying flat, not tilted in any direction |
Questions About Regalia Orders
If you have question or concerns about your regalia order, please call Gaspard at 1-800-380-8214 Extension 5729, Monday to Friday 6:30 am to 2:30 pm (PST) or email them at buildagradchs@gaspard.ca.
Contact Convocation@viu.ca with general convocation questions.