In 1896, the colleges and universities in the United States adopted a uniform code governing academic dress and all graduates from the University of Colorado wear black gowns. Those who are receiving a master’s or doctor’s degree from the University of Colorado wear hoods lined with the university colors, silver and gold. The velvet border of the hood indicates the degree and master's graduates wear a blck cap and tassel, while the doctor graduates have a gold bullion tassel attached to their tam.  

The Oxford cap, usually referred to as a mortarboard, has a long tassel that is fastened by a button on the top. Candidates for baccalaureate degrees wear the tassel pendant over the right front of the cap before the degree is conferred, and over the left thereafter. The color of the tassel on the bachelor’s cap indicates the field of study, with the exception of the BA degree whose candidates wear white tassels indicating the arts.

Tassel Colors
Architecture and Planning: Blue-Violet
Arts & Sciences: White
Business: Sapphire Blue
Doctor of Philosophy: Dark Blue
Education: Light Blue
Engineering: Orange
Fine Arts: Brown
Law: Purple
Library Science: Lemon Yellow
Media, Communication & Information: Red
Music: Pink

Cords and Stoles

Black & Gold Cord

CU Boulder Alumni Association

Black and gold cords to students who are members of Legacy families.

Black & Silver Cord

Space Minor

Students enrolled in the Space Minor receive an overarching background in all aspects of space and gain valuable and broader on space matter to add to their major degree. These students can be identified by their navy/silver or black/silver cords.

Blue Cord

Seniors Creating Future Buffs Scholarships

Blue cord worn by contributors to the senior class gift fund.

Blue & Green Cord

CU International Education

Is proud of its study abroad students who earned credit while broadening their personal and academic perspectives in a culturally diverse world.

Blue (royal) & Red Cord

The Biomedical Engineering Minor is open to undergraduate students rostered in the College of Engineering and Applied Science who are interested in an exciting, multidisciplinary field that lies at the interface of medicine, biology and engineering.

Blue & White Cord

American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM)

The ASEM Chapter at CU engages with students interested in Engineering Management through professional development, guest speakers and networking events. Student members, designated with blue and white cords, have expanded their knowledge and experience in engineering management, while enhancing their resumes and career opportunities.

Brown Cord

Leeds School of Business Real Estate Certificate

Certificate recipients and MBA graduates with an emphasis in real estate wear brown cords to signify the legacy they will create in their communities.

Green Cord

Social & Environmental Responsibility Graduation Pledges

Signers wear a green cord, and pledge to “explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider, and try to improve these aspects of any organization for which I work.”

Green & Silver Cord

Deming Center for Entrepreneurial Studies Certificate

This forest green and silver cord is award to Leeds undergraduate students who have excelled in entrepreneurship. Students wearing this cord have complete three elective courses with a 3.0 or above GPA, interned with a local startup, participated in a minimum of eight community entrepreneurship events, and passed a written capstone exam.

Maroon Stole

Rotaract - campus chapter of the Boulder Rotary Club

Student members wear a maroon CU Rotaract graduation sash.

Navy & Silver Cord

Beckman Scholars 

In 2017, the University of Colorado Boulder was selected by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation as one of eleven institutions in the United States to receive a Beckman Scholars Program Award. The Beckman Scholars Program offers an in depth research experience to exceptionally talented, full-time CU Boulder undergraduates in the biological and chemical sciences. 
 

Purple (royal) Cord

American Institute of Chemical (AIChE) Leadership Team

Wears royal purple cords to signify student members of the world’s leading organization of chemical engineers.

Purple & Gold Cord

CU Honors Scholars wear purple and gold cords to signify their involvement in the Honors Scholars community in the College of Arts and Sciences Honors Program at CU Boulder. Honors Scholars have completed at least 9 academic credits of Honors Program courses, hold a GPA of 3.5 or above, have completed community service hours, and have engaged in Honors event programming.

 

Red & White Stole

Asian Unity

Confers a red and white sash on students who have shown exemplary leadership with their utmost passion and dedication in strengthening the Asian American & Pacific Islanders community (AAPI) at CU Boulder.

Red, Orange & Purple

Smead Scholars

Graduate aerospace engineering sciences students who are recognized as being the most talented aerospace engineering graduate students nationally. This program is in memory of Dr. Harold “Joe” Smead by his family. Joe Smead was a donor, active participant in the department’s governance, and major proponent of CU Boulder’s aerospace program. The Smead Program, which supports these Scholars, is the aerospace department’s flagship recruitment and retention program.

Red, White & Blue Cord

Honoring Military Service

Red, white and blue cord designating those who have served in the armed forces (veterans) as well as those who will serve upon graduation (ROTC commissionees)

Silver Stole

Residence Life Resident Advisors

RA staff members are designated with a silver stole to acknowledge their contribution to the CU residential communities and the crucial role they play in creating a positive experience for first year students.

Silver & Gold Cord

High-Growth Venture Fellow

Recognizes top entrepreneurship MBA graduates from the Leeds School of Business who participated in a two-year fellowship program preparing them to contribute meaningfully to scaling ventures.

Teal Cord

CU GOLD (Gaining Opportunities through Leadership Development)

Provides free leadership development programs to CU students. Those wearing a teal cord are dedicated to the mission that any student can be a leader.

Teal & White Cord 

Daniel's Scholars

Teal and white cord worn in tribute of Bill Daniels, who made their dream of achieving a college degree a reality.

White Cord

Student Athletes 

White & Gold Cord

Office of Admissions

Students are recognized with an old gold/white cord to acknowledge their commitment to being the face of the university and dedication to helping prospective students in their transition to becoming a buffalo.