Graduation Regalia Purchase Procedures

Students need to pre-order their cap and gown for graduation through MECC Bookstore by the designated deadline each spring semester (usually sometime around the end of March). Cap and gowns are no longer covered by financial aid.

Gown sizes go by height ranges and are listed below. Caps are one size fits all. When ordering a cap and gown, students should keep in mind that the hem of the gown should fall mid-calf. Because the gowns are offered in size ranges, this may mean that a student may have to purchase a gown longer than necessary and hem it before graduation. Sample gowns are available in MECC Bookstore for students to try on to help in determining the size they need to order.

MECC Bookstore does order a few extra cap and gowns in each size range to have on hand for students who may not realize they are going to be eligible to graduate until after the pre-order deadline. However, the earlier students can request a cap and gown, the more likely MECC Bookstore will have the size they need on-hand or have enough time to order one for the student.

One tassel is included with each cap and gown. Tassels colors are gold for honors and black for all others. Honors are awarded by the Admissions and Records Division as per Mountain Empire Community College’s policy. MECC Bookstore staff is not responsible for determining honors eligibility and will only provide gold honor tassels to students under the written direction of the Admissions and Record Division. Therefore, if a student receives a black tassel with their cap and gown order and feels they are eligible for a gold honors tassel, they must contact the Admissions and Records Division to provide MECC Bookstore written direction to exchange their black tassel for a gold one. Extra tassels are also available for purchase in MECC Bookstore for students who wish to purchase a souvenir tassel; or can be added to the cap and gown pre-order. However, gold souvenir tassels must still earn honors eligibility requirements.

MECC Bookstore does not provide any honors regalia other than the gold tassel. Phi Theta Kappa Honors Graduation Regalia is available for purchase through Sarah Gilliam to PTK members only.

Students may purchase a cap and gown with one tassel included, or they can purchase any of the components separately or in any combination. Therefore if a student already has a cap and gown (borrowed or given to them by a former graduate of MECC), they may purchase just the tassel. However, the cap and gown must match those sold in MECC Bookstore. Prices for the cap and gown and each individual component is listed below (note: prices subject to change):

Staff from MECC Bookstore will be on-hand at graduation practice to distribute pre-ordered cap and gowns. Cap and gowns that were not pre-ordered will not be available at graduation practice, but must be purchased at MECC Bookstore. Any student unable to attend graduation practice may pick up their pre-ordered cap and gown in MECC Bookstore during normal business hours. Students should present their student ID’s to pick up pre-orders.

It is recommended that once students pick up their cap and gowns, they try them on as soon as possible to ensure proper sizing. If there is a sizing issue, other than any alterations that may need to be made, students should return the cap and gown to MECC Bookstore so that an exchange can be made. This should be done as early as possible so that MECC Bookstore can order the correct size, if there are none on-hand, so it can arrive in time for graduation. It is also recommended that the gown be hung up as soon as possible to remove the wrinkles without the necessity of ironing.

MECC Bookstore does not provide graduation regalia for faculty or staff.