Ordering Information

Spring 2023 Grad Expo

Wednesday, February 15, 2023
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
UL Lafayette Alumni House

The Alumni Association and the Registrar's Office host the Grad Expo for all graduates to attend as a one-stop shop for their commencement needs. All students who have applied for graduation will receive information regarding Grad Expo roughly two (2) weeks prior to the event. At Expo, graduates can expect to do the following: Order cap and gown (pick-up and payment at later date), order personalized announcements and invitations, order official Louisiana Ring, receive information on the UL Alumni Association, and much more!

Please note that if planning to attend, you do not have to be there the entire time from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The average student takes about 20 minutes to walk through the event, unless planning to take an official graduation portrait which may take a little longer depending on wait time.

Regalia

Commencement is an academic event and all candidates are required to wear the University-approved cap and gown.You will not be permitted to participate in the Commencement Ceremonies without the proper University approved attire.

• Dark clothing
  • Coordinate with the red or black academic gown.
• Shoes
  • Please be aware of the shoes that you choose to wear. We suggest comfortable shoes that are easy to walk in.
• Tassel
  • Bachelor degree recipients
    • The tassel should hang to the right side of the face until the degree is conferred.
  • Master & Doctoral degree recipients
    • The tassel should hang to the left side of the face and remain there throughout the entire ceremony.

Ordering

Orders for caps, gowns, and master's and doctoral hoods should be placed at Grad Expo. However, not everyone will be able to attend, please see information below. 

Bachelor & Master Students

• Already Ordered 
  • If you place an order at expo, you will be able to pay and pick up your cap and gown in the Union Bookstore location (620 McKinley St, Lafayette, LA 70504). Once a date has been finalized you will be notified when to start picking up.
    • Payments can only be accepted in store, NOT over the phone.
• Ordering Online
  • ​Utilize the following link to order online: https://louisiana.shopoakhalli.com/
    • Link will open on Thursday, February 16.
  • Ships directly from Oak Hall. Shipping fee $15.95.
  • Deadline to order online: Sunday, April 9.
    • If you miss the online ordering deadline on November 13, you MUST physically go to the Union Bookstore location (620 McKinley St, Lafayette, LA 70504) to purchase a cap and gown.
      • Payments can only be accepted in store, NOT over the phone. 
• Order In Store
  • If you did not order at expo and do not want to order online, please visit the Union Bookstore location (620 McKinley St, Lafayette, LA 70504).
    • Payments can only be accepted in store, NOT over the phone.
• Pricing
  • ​Bachelor Cap/Tassel & Gown - $51.98
  • Master Cap/Tassel, Gown & Hood - $91.96
    • Hood Only - $32.98
  • Tassel Only - $5.98
  • Cap Only - $9.98

Doctoral Students

• Already Ordered
  • If you place and paid for an order at expo, you will be able pick up your cap and gown in the Union Bookstore location (620 McKinley St, Lafayette, LA 70504). Fine Quality Custom Doctoral gowns must be paid for at the time of order. ​
    • Payments can only be accepted in store, NOT over the phone.
• Ordering Online (purchasing only, no rental online)
  • ​Utilize the following link to order online: https://louisianafinequality.shopoakhalli.com/
    • Link is open for Doctoral students. 
  • ​​Ships directly from Oak Hall. Shipping fee $19.95.
  • Deadline to order online: Sunday, March 5.
    • If you miss the online ordering deadline on March 5, we cannot promise you will be able to receive a gown in time for Commencement. Fine Quality regalia is custom made and takes 8 weeks to be sewn and delivered.
      • Payments can only be accepted in store, NOT over the phone.
• Order In Store
  • ​Purchasing Regalia
    • If you do not order and pay at expo, please visit the Union Bookstore location (620 McKinley St, Lafayette, LA 70504) no later than Friday, March 3.
      • This date ensures that you will be able to receive your cap and gown in time for the ceremony.
      • Payments can only be accepted in store, NOT over the phone.
  • Renting Regalia
    • If you do not order and pay at expo, please visit the Union Bookstore location (620 McKinley St, Lafayette, LA 70504) no later than Friday, March 3.
      • Payments can only be accepted in store, NOT over the phone.
• Price for Purchasing
  • Doctoral Custom Gown - $670
  • Doctoral Custom Hood - $161
  • Doctoral Custom Tam/ Tassel - $108
  • Doctoral Custom Order Shipping Fee - $19.95
     
• Price for Renting
  • Doctoral Student Tam/Tassel, Hood & Gown Rental - $157.94
  • Doctoral Student Rental Deposit - $100.00
    • Deposit will be refunded once all rental items are returned. Rental returns are due back to the Bookstore by the Monday after Commencement. 

Final Notes

• Union Bookstore (620 McKinley St, Lafayette, LA 70504) Store Hours
  • Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Cap and gowns must be picked up and paid for by Thursday, May 11.
  • If you fail to get a cap and gown, you will not be allowed to walk at Commencement.

Announcements

Orders for personalized announcements can be placed at Grad Expo or with Balfour online by visiting: https://www.cbgrad.com/

Please enter the following information before you click Get Started.

University Ring

Orders for rings can be placed at Grad Expo or with Balfour online by visiting: www.balfour.com/louisianaring.

• Spring and Fall Ceremonies: Please note that rings must be ordered at Grad Expo to be available for the Ring Ceremony.
• Summer Ceremonies: Please note that rings ordered will not be ready in time for the Summer Commencement Ceremony.