Commencement

Regalia Accessories

Commencement is an opportunity to celebrate our graduates' accomplishments. As such, we are pleased to offer graduates the opportunity to wear regalia accessories like pins, cords, or stoles that they receive as part of participation in a Xavier University office or recognized student organization, affiliation with a national organization, or earned as Xavier student. University groups or offices must register their accessories by emailing commencement@xavier.edu and must follow university brand and purchasing protocols.

All stoles or cords (other than those pre-approved for purchase via a recognized, affiliated national organization) must be purchased through our campus partner Jostens in partnership with our bookstore team from Barnes and Noble.

University offices, departments, and recognized student organizations who have had club status for at least one full year have the opportunity to order custom stoles or cords for your organization members. As a reminder, student organizations are not permitted to use student activity fee funds to purchase any regalia related accessories like cords or stoles. However, student organizations can coordinate this process on behalf of your membership. 

Honor Cords

Only undergraduate students receive honors. For those eligible for honors cords, please add this to your order.  Honor cords are at your own expense. Visit the Registrar's website for more information about honors eligibility. Honor cords are available for purchase on the bookstore website or in-person at the Gallagher and University Station All for One Shop locations.

Custom Stoles

A handful of Xavier offices and student organizations have a custom designed stole. If you are interested in creating a custom designed stole, you must submit your request and proposed design to commencement@xavier.edu no later than Friday, January 16, 2026. Custom designed stoles must follow Xavier brand guidelines and take 6-to-8 weeks for design plus another 6-to-8 weeks for delivery. Groups with pre-approved custom stoles need to order no later than Friday, March 27, 2026 for delivery by Commencement.  Custom stoles are expected to cost $41.98 per stole. Minimum order is 10 stoles.

Custom Cords

Many university departments and student organizations have selected a color combination for a set of cords. These are typically a two-color combination that is unique to your organization or department. If you are interested in ordering cords for your department or organization, see the following steps.

  1. Check the approved regalia list to see if your department or organization is already approved for a color combination.
  2. If you are not on the existing list, select a two- or three-color option that is not currently in use (note: two-color options cost $12.98 each, three-color options cost $24.98 each). Use the attached color guide from Jostens for your color selection.
  3. Complete the Cord Request Form on behalf of your department or organization. You’ll need your department or organization name, preferred colors, and number of cords you plan to order.
    • If your organization is a recognized chapter of a national organization AND the national organization licenses their own cords, please complete the Cord Request Form with your plans to order.
    • After approval, student organizations purchasing items from a national organization need to submit a Student Organization Purchase Form and the Office of Student Involvement will assist with placing the order for you.
  4. Barnes and Noble will place the order for your group. The estimated delivery time is 3 weeks for the two-color cords and 6 weeks for the three-color cords.
  5. You will receive an email notification when your cords arrive. Departments can pick-up and make payment in bulk at the University Station location of the All for One Shop. Student organization members can pick-up and pay for their cords as individuals at the University Station location of the All for One Shop.

Personalized Stoles

Some individuals prefer a personalized stole. If this is of interest to you or your office or organization members, you are welcome to use our Stole Builder site for personalized designs and purchases.

 

Please be aware that there are no requirements or expectations to have or order stoles or cords for Commencement.  Xavier makes a university stole and cord available to all graduates to add to their regalia purchase, if interested. 

Questions? Email commencement@xavier.edu for any cord, stole, regalia or commencement related questions.