Academic dress is the signature attire worn by graduates during convocation. The color of the hood varies, reflecting your academic degree and field of study, making each one uniquely significant. 

How do I rent academic dress?

To participate in Convocation, all graduates are required to wear academic dress.

To rent your academic dress:

• Visit Gaspard Build-A-Grad
• Have your student ID number and credit card ready

The rental package includeds your gown, hood, and cap & tassel. The Cap & Tassel are yours to keep.

Doctoral graduates: All items must be retruned following the ceremony.

Reminder: Registration to attend Spring 2026 Convocation must also be completed through Memorial Self-Service. Both registration and academic dress rental are required in order to participate in the ceremony.

I am an Indigenous student. Do I need to rent academic dress? 

Indigenous students are not required to wear the traditional black gown. However, you must wear or carry the hood that represents your academic degree and field of study. The rental cost for the hood will be $30.

How much does the academic dress/gown rental cost?  

The cost of academic dress/gown rental ordered before the registration deadline is $65. After the deadline the rental cost is $90 payable when picking up your academic dress/gown on the day of Convocation, For Grenfell Campus, academic dress will be available for pickup on Wednesday, May 13th 11 am to 3 pm or one hour prior to your ceremony at the Corner Brook Arts and Culture Centre. Please note that we cannot guarantee your specific academic dress (size, hood, etc.) beyond the rental deadline.  

I was deemed ineligible to graduate. How do I request a refund for my academic dress rental?

Please email convocation@mun.ca for assistance.   

Where do I pick up and return my academic dress/gown?  

Pick-up: Academic dress/gowns can be picked at the Corner Brook Arts and Culture Centre Wednesday, May 13th 11 am to 3 pm or one hour prior to your Convocation ceremony. 

Drop-off: For return of academic dress, there will be a drop-off area at the Arts and Culture Centre for up to one hour after the ceremony ends. The mortarboard hat is yours to keep! Please note that academic dress that is not returned on-site will be the responsibility of the graduate to return to the vendor at your personal expense. 

For those wishing to have photographs taken outside of the allocated time frame for use of Convocation gowns, please contact Heather Dawson at heather.dawson@mun.ca.

Wearing the Gown and Hood 

Your gown is designed to stay open at the front, while your hood drapes around your neck and over your shoulders, showcasing the silk lining at the back. Do not use pins to secure the hood—it should rest naturally in place. Since your attire underneath will be visible, business casual or semi-formal attire is recommended for this special occasion.