The University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College supports the decoration of caps only for commencement ceremonies. While the University recognizes that this is an important activity, students choosing to wear a decorated cap during the ceremony must follow the guidelines below.

The guidelines will be enforced at the commencement ceremony, and the University reserves the right to request that graduates change any inappropriate or unapproved attire before they are allowed to participate in the ceremony. The University wants this experience for our graduates to be a positive and celebratory event of self-expression yet respectful of all.

Only the flat top area of the mortarboard may be decorated. Adornments must lay flat on the surface of the cap. Decorations cannot extend beyond the border of the cap or fall below the perimeter. Cap decorations that are motivated by animosity against a person or group because of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability, national origin, or which infringe on the rights and freedoms of others will not be tolerated.

Decorations may not include the following:

• Profanity
• Symbols for or references to alcohol or controlled substances
• Bows, ribbon, or tulle that do not lay flat on the cap
• Three dimensional objects
• Flowers or flower crowns
• Lighted objects

Note: This is not an exhaustive list, and any adornment or message deemed inappropriate or determined to pose a safety risk or distraction will not be permitted. The graduate will be asked to put on a new, undecorated cap if these guidelines are not followed. For questions concerning these guidelines, please email graduation@uaptc.edu.

The white stole given out by UA-PTC is not to be decorated. If decorated the student will be asked to remove the stole, and it can pick it up outside the arena after the ceremony.

Only UA-PTC officially sponsored clubs and honor recognitions will be allowed to be worn at the ceremony. No sororities or fraternities are officially associated with UA-PTC and no stoles representing them will be allowed to be worn at the ceremony. Students will be asked to remove non-approved items, and it can pick it up outside the arena after the ceremony.