Dress Code & Accessories Info

Virginia Wesleyan Students - please refer to VWU's dress code policy.

Please use the guidelines below if you choose to decorate your graduation cap. Prior to the ceremony, please reach out to Mrs. Brioso-Ang at vbrioso-ang@sentara.edu for approval of cap decorations. 

Failure to follow the guidelines below will result in the removal of the cap. Graduates will be provided with a replacement cap (limited supply). If none are available, you will be denied the ability to walk in the commencement ceremony.

• Only the flat, top area of the cap may be decorated. 

• Only the tassel that comes with the cap is allowed to dangle or hang from the cap. Bows, flowers, chains, letters, etc. are strictly prohibited.

• Decorations must be flat to the surface of the cap. 3-D creations are prohibited. Nothing can be raised more than 1/2 inch off the top of the cap. 

• The cap’s decoration cannot contain advertisement, symbols, abbreviations, initials, words, slogans, patches, or pictures that refer to drugs or controlled substances, illegal activity, tobacco, alcohol, weapons, politics, anything of a sexual or inappropriate nature, or anything that advocates disruptive behavior detrimental to the safety and welfare of others. 

• There should be no language or imagery that can directly/indirectly be interpreted or inferred to be obscene, vulgar, or lewd. 

• Loose glitter on the cap is NOT permitted. The use of glitter glue is permitted. 

• The cap CANNOT make/emit noise or light up. Bells, horns, blinking or steady lights, or anything that emits disruptions or distractions during the ceremony are strictly prohibited.

Considerations for decorating your cap:
Thank a parent, grandparent, significant other, professor, advisor, or friend; recognize the field or job you are entering, a branch of the military that you serve or served in, inspirational quotes, symbols, or powerful sentiments.

Virginia Wesleyan Students - please refer to VWU's dress code policy.

"Cultural Heritage is an expression of the ways of living developed by a community and passed on from generation to generation, including customs, practices, places, objects, artistic expressions, and values" (International Encyclopedia of Human Geography, 2020). Sentara College of Health Sciences recognizes the rich diversity of the college's student body and embraces representation in the form of approved stoles.

Graduates may wear approved cultural heritage based stoles (see information below). The only customization permitted is "Class of 2024" or "Class of 2025" and/or the college's name ("Sentara College" or "Sentara College of Health Sciences"). The use of the college's or Sentara Health's official logos are not permitted. No other customization is permitted (no logos, designs, pins, or wording can be on the stoles).

Please view the tutorial video or read the instructions on how to design your stole FIRST. Incorrectly ordering your stole will result in the inability to wear it at the commencement ceremony.

1. Click here for instructions on how to design your stole and place your order.

2. Stoles start at $49.00 each (shipping/tax not included).

Click here to purchase your stole.

2. 1. • • You are not required to use the site we provide to order your stoles, but you must ensure any stoles ordered elsewhere still meet guidelines.

Virginia Wesleyan Students - VWU will provide honor cords for you.

Honor cords will be available after all grades have been posted and all GPAs have been calculated.  Those receiving an honor cord will be notified via their sentara.edu email with instructions on when and how to pick up.

Honor designations will be awarded to graduates based on the following scale (cumulative GPAs are not rounded):

• • • Summa Cum Laude -- 3.86 - 4.00

    • Magna Cum Laude -- 3.66 - 3.85

    • Cum Laude -- 3.50 - 3.65

Those with a 4.00 GPA will receive a red cord and those with a 3.50-3.99 GPA will receive a gold cord. The red and gold cords will be provided by the college and are yours to keep.

If you are an active member of our military or a veteran (thank you for your service!), you have the option to purchase a military honor cord at the same time you submit for your regalia. The cord is $11.50 and must be paid for at the time you submit for your regalia. Cords will ship directly to the college and will be picked up with your regalia.

**If you are an officer for SCOPE, the college will provide a cord for you.**

If you are a member of SCOPE, you have the option to purchase an organization cord at the same time you submit for your regalia. The cord is $11.50 and must be paid for at the time you submit for your regalia. Cords will ship directly to the college and will be picked up with your regalia.

**If you are an officer for the Sentara Nursing Students' Association, the college will provide a cord for you.**

If you are not an officer and would like to purchase your own cord, you are welcome to do so through the National Student Nurses Association's (NSNA) website. Click here to order your member cord. The member cords come in a package of 5. You can get together with your fellow classmates to split the cost.

PLEASE NOTE:

• Shipping times may vary. It is important to order as soon as possible to better ensure delivery by the end of the term.

  • If you'd like to know more information on shipping times, contact NSNA directly.

• Please have cords shipped directly to your home.

• If you order through NSNA and have any issues with your order, please contact them directly as we do not support orders through their site.

• Purchasing a cord is not required.

If you are a member of the STTI Honor Society - Chi Kappa Chapter (Sentara College's chapter), you are welcome to purchase an honor cord and/or stole.

Click here to purchase the honor cord.

Click here to purchase the stole.

PLEASE NOTE:

• Shipping times may vary. It is important to order as soon as possible to better ensure delivery by the end of the term.

  • If you'd like to know more information on shipping times, contact STTI directly.

• Please have cords/stoles shipped directly to your home.

• If you order through STTI and have any issues with your order, please contact them directly as we do not support orders through their site.

• Purchasing a cord/stole is not required.