1. Can I pick up my regalia early and return it later or on the following day?
We are unable to supply regalia earlier than the collection times on your academic dress booking form. If you would like to hire regalia for an extra day, please contact the Regalia Centre to see if this is possible for your particular ceremony. If many ceremonies are scheduled over a short period of time we are unable to extend hires due to dry cleaning appointments. Extended hires incur an extra hiring fee. If regalia is returned after the specified return time your deposit will be withheld, if the regalia is not returned at all, a $300 fine will be issued.
2. Can I pay my $50 deposit on credit card or by eftpos?
When you pick up your regalia you need to pay a $50 cash only deposit. This is separate to the hire fee which is to be paid by the due date specified for your conferring ceremony. This deposit will be refunded on the return of your regalia providing there has been no damage to the gown and you have returned all regalia by the specified time.
3. Will there be enough time on the day of the graduation ceremony for me to take photographs?
Professional photographic studios will be located in the Food Hall, Ground Floor Union House on your graduation day. There are two companies to choose from and each company has several studios so all students will have time to have professional photographs taken before regalia is due to be returned. It is often a good idea to arrive early and have your photos taken before the ceremony to avoid longer queues. If you want to take your own photographs around campus while wearing the graduation regalia, there will be time both before and after the ceremony.
4. How long does the ceremony run for?
It is difficult to estimate the running time of ceremonies as the duration depends on graduand numbers and the length of speeches from guest speakers and university personnel. A ceremony shouldn't run for more than two hours unless it is unusually large.
5. What should I do if I am running late?
It is important to be on time to report to Wilson Hall before the start of your graduation ceremony. If you are not present at this time you will be marked as absent and your degree will be removed from the award list. Late students will not be admitted to Wilson Hall and cannot participate in the ceremony.
6. What should I wear underneath my gown?
There is no formal dress code for Melbourne University graduation ceremonies although graduands are urged to wear smart casual clothing. All graduation gowns are open at the front and should only hang to mid-calf—as a result, whatever you are wearing underneath can be seen.
7. Can I hire a trencher or mortarboard if I am a bachelor student?
Melbourne University follows the Oxford style of academic dress which requires only Masters graduands to wear trenchers. Bachelor students wear a gown and hood lined in their appropriate faculty colour and are not permitted to wear trenchers even for photographic purposes. The Regalia Centre is not permitted to hire trenchers to bachelor students.
8. Do I need a receipt to pick up my regalia?
You will not need a receipt to pick up your regalia, since your booking requirements will be recorded under your name, and we will use your photo ID at reception. Retaining your receipt number, or a printed confirmation of your booking will assist us if any unforseen problems arise.
9. Can I wear both of my faculty colours if I have a double degree?
Regalia protocol instructs that graduands are not permitted to wear two degree hoods at any time. If you have completed a double degree and are eligible for two faculty colours, you must choose which one you would like to wear during your ceremony. If you hire two hoods for photographic purposes you are still only able to wear one at a time, this will mean changing hood colours during your photo shoot.
10. I have completed a double degree but both are from the same faculty. Should I hire two degree hoods?
If both of your degrees are from the same faculty you are only eligible for the one hood colour designated to that particular faculty.
11. Who should I contact regarding guest tickets?
Three guest tickets are issued to every graduating student and are issued on the day with your allocated seat when you pick up your regalia.
Extra tickets are only available if there is space in Wilson Hall. Student Administration handle all matters regarding ceremony ticketing. You should check their website to see if there are extra tickets available for your ceremony.
12. If I cannot attend my graduation ceremony, am I still able to hire regalia for photographs?
The Regalia Centre hires regalia all year while the Melbourne University Student Union Ltd is open. Restrictions to hiring apply during Melbourne University graduation times when all regalia is required for campus ceremonies. Please phone the Regalia Centre to enquire about casual hiring when you know the dates you require regalia.
13. Can I wear my college gown for my graduation ceremony?
University of Melbourne graduation ceremonies are gowned in accordance with the Oxford style of regalia. College gowns are not made in accordance with this style, and are not acceptable for University of Melbourne graduations.
14. What is the difference between a bachelor and masters regalia?
An Oxford style bachelor gown has a bell shaped sleeve while the Oxford style masters gown has an elongated sleeve to the hem of the gown with a split for your arm to exit at the elbow. Bachelor and masters hoods are the same colour for each faculty however a white stripe on the base of the hood signifies a bachelor degree.
15. If I book my regalia after the due date, is there any way to have the late fee waived?
No. It is your responsibility to make your regalia booking by the due date specific to your conferring ceremony. A late fee of $10 each day is automatically added to your hire fee if your booking is late. Any questions regarding late fees should be directed to the Regalia Centre.
16. Do I wear special regalia for honours?
The regalia for honours is the same as the ordinary bachelor degree. During the ceremony, you will be presented with your degree as an honours student, however.
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Posted Friday 15 February, 2008. Updated Monday 1 December, 2008.
