Academic Regalia Lending Library
Purpose
The CGS Academic Regalia Lending Library was established to increase graduate student participation in University Commencement through a free rental of PhD Scarlet and Gray academic regalia (i.e. gown, tam, tassel, and hood) to graduating students.
Eligibility
PhD/DMA students who have applied to graduate for the current semester are eligible to apply for a zero-cost regalia rental of the Scarlet and Gray gown, black tam with gray tassel, and the Royal Blue colored hood for the PhDs (we do not currently have hoods for DMAs, EdDs, DNPs, or DNEs). Furthermore, only graduate students who have applied to graduate through Grad Forms in the current semester are eligible to apply for a zero-cost regalia rental. For example, for autumn 2025 graduation & commencement, an enrolled graduate student must have applied to graduate prior to September 12, 2025 to be eligible for a zero-cost rental.
Application Link & Selection
Eligible graduate students are selected for a zero-cost rental of academic regalia based on a lottery system. For a chance to be selected, eligible graduate students can apply here. If selected, graduate students will be notified via email and, as a condition of rental, expected to fill out an agreement outlining terms & conditions of the zero-cost rental (attached above) when they pick up the regalia. Questions regarding the agreement’s terms & conditions can be directed to cgs@osu.edu.
Timeline for Spring 2026 Commencement
Deadline to apply for graduation via Grad Forms: January 30, 2026
Deadline to apply for a zero-cost rental through the CGS Academic Regalia Lending Library: March 6, 2026
Notification of selection: March 11, 2026
Deadline to confirm your participation and selection: March 16, 2026
Pick-up regalia rental: May 7-8, 2026 from 9AM to 5PM at the Longaberger Alumni House (2200 Olentangy River Road)
Commencement: May 10, 2026
Return regalia rental: May 11-12, 2026 from 9AM to 5PM at the Longaberger Alumni House (2200 Olentangy River Road)
Assessment, notification, and payment of regalia rental damages & completeness: May 12-27, 2026
Rationale
Graduation is a time of celebration and recognition of all the sacrifices students have made and the time they have dedicated to the advancement of their academic and professional careers. As a part of this celebratory ceremony, all students are required to wear the proper academic regalia to participate in commencement. However, CGS recognizes that lack of funds introduces barriers to participating in this experience and may induce feelings of anxiety rather than joy, particularly for graduate students who incur significant regalia costs. To that end, and in accordance with CGS Resolution 2223-SP-002: Affordability of Academic Regalia, the goal of this initiative is to clothe at least 10% of doctoral graduate students at OSU Commencement in Lending Library regalia. This initiative is expected to expand in the coming years.
FAQ
- How random is the lottery?
- The selection of graduate students receiving a rental in entirle random. A drawing will take place once the deadline for submitting a request has passed, and students will be notified accordingly.
- What happens if I am not selected to receive the regalia through the Lending Library?
- Students who are not selected will need to follow the ordering guidelines for the appropriate regalia which is provided to you by the Graduate School. You will need to place an order and pay the related costs for the regalia items through Oak Hall, the official supplier of OSU doctoral regalia. https://oakhallcg.com/pages/theohiostateuniversity.
If you have additional questions, recommendations, or concerns, please email cgs@osu.edu.