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represents the quadrangles at Oxford. The tassel is its distinguishing feature, with a black tassel signifying a bachelor’s degree and a gold tassel signifying a doctoral degree.

In an academic procession, an individual usually wears the apparel appropriate to the highest degree earned. Members of the Board of Trustees, however, may wear doctoral gowns, and individuals officially representing an institution wear a gown appropriate to that role. Military uniforms and religious habits are acceptable apparel. Some institutions of higher education have now adopted solid-color gowns that incorporate their college or university colors.

Colors Indicating Fields of Learning

Maize Agriculture

White Arts, letters, humanities

Drab Commerce, accountancy, business

Lilac Dentistry

Copper Economics

Light Blue Education

Orange Engineering

Brown Fine arts, including architecture

Russet Forestry

Maroon Home economics

Crimson Journalism

Purple Law

Lemon Library science

Green Medicine

Pink Music

Apricot Nursing

Silver Gray Oratory (speech)

Olive Green Pharmacy

Dark Blue Philosophy

Sage Green Physical education

Peacock Blue Public administration, including foreign service

Salmon Pink Public health

Golden Yellow Science

Citron Social work

Scarlet Theology

Gray Veterinary science