Information for Participating Faculty

Quick links: Dress | Processional | End of ceremony

The following instructions apply to all faculty participating in the Caltech Commencement exercises.

You may order the academic regalia—cap, gown, tassel, and hood—of your graduating university at the Caltech Store between March 4 and March 29, 2024. This lead time is needed to ensure the timely arrival of other universities' hoods.

Faculty regalia can be picked up at the Caltech Store from June 3 through Thursday, June 13 by 5:30 p.m. On Commencement day, please pick up your regalia at Dabney Hall between 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

Academic garb looks best when worn over dark shoes and dark lower garments. The collar of a white shirt or blouse nicely complements the academic robe. Tassels are worn on the left at all times.

Faculty gather in the Garden of the Associates (Dabney Gardens). The ceremony begins promptly at 10:00 a.m.; you should be in cap and gown, prepared to march, no later than 9:30 a.m. on the morning of Commencement. Caltech Store staff will be available to help with robing and will provide instructions for returning robes after the ceremony.

Additional staff will help coordinate the assembling of the academic procession. The marching order for the Academic Procession will be:

1. Chief Marshal
2. Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Science
3. Candidates for the Degree of Master of Science
4. Candidate(s) for the Degree of Engineer
5. Candidates for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
6. Faculty Officers
7. The Faculty
8. The Chairs of the Divisions
9. The Deans
10. The Provost
11. The Trustees
12. The Speaker and President

Please follow your group to a seat on the platform. The only reserved seats are for the platform party at the front of the stage. Faculty are to remain standing until the Chairman of the Board of Trustees asks the audience to be seated at the beginning of the ceremony.

Following the Alma Mater, the recessional march of the faculty, trustees, and speakers will begin. When the recessional music ends, the graduates leave their seats. There is no formal recessional for graduates.

Please be aware that we will be live-streaming and recording the entire Commencement ceremony. During the Processional, the Recessional, and when you are seated on the platform, it is likely that you will be visible on the website and captured in photos and videos of the ceremony.