Sept graduation update - gown payment and pick-up

We’re inching closer to graduation so this update is about everything to do with your gown payment, pick-up and drop-off. 

We know it’s tricky choosing the right size for your trencher (your headwear) during the registration process. So, we’re offering “trencher try-on” at our Customer Services desk (The Hub, Dunedin Campus). Drop by whenever it suits, check that your chosen size is right and, if it isn’t, email graduation@op.ac.nz to let us know the new size you need. 

Customer Services is open Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5.00pm. 

How much is my regalia? 

Regalia is the name given to your gown and trencher. Below is a list of our current fees for each type of regalia. 

You need to pay this fee in full before you collect your regalia from the Gown Room.  

How do I pay for my regalia? 

Before you arrive to collect your regalia, you can pay for it using any of the methods below:   

• Pay online via Eventbrite
• Pay with cash or EFTPOS at Customer Services (The Hub, Dunedin Campus)
  • Monday – Friday, 8.30am – 5.00pm
  • Wednesday 13 September, 8.30am – 7.00pm
  • Thursday 14 September, 8.30am – 7.00pm
• Pay with credit or debit card over the phone by ringing 0800 762 786.   

When does the Gown Room open? 

Our Gown Room will be open at the following times in the lead-up to grad so you can come and collect your regalia.   

Where is the Gown Room? 

The Gown Room is located in B Block at our Dunedin Campus. This is accessible from St David Street. There is also plenty of parking on Harbour Terrace. View Gown Room location on Google Maps here.   

What will happen at the Gown Room?

We want your experience at the Gown Room to be fun and chilled as you prepare for your big day. There’s some comfy seats in there and our friendly staff will make sure you feel prepped and good to go. 

They’ll firstly check that you’ve paid for your gown and support you with this if you’ve got any questions or had any issues. 

Next, they’ll double check which programme we have you listed as graduating with. If, for any reason, our system is showing the wrong programme, we’ll be able to change this and make sure we have it right. 

And then they’ll give you your regalia and help you try it on to make sure it’s the right size and that you’re happy with it. This will also help you know how it needs to be worn on the day. 

Can someone collect my regalia on my behalf?  

Yes, but it’s your responsibility for the safe return of your own academic regalia. If you’ve organised for someone else to collect your gown, please send the person’s name and contact details to graduation@op.ac.nz   

Remember, you need to make sure you’ve paid for this before they can collect it.  

Where and when do I drop my gown off after the ceremony?  

We want to make it really easy for you to spend time in your regalia after the ceremony and to get lots of photos with your loved ones. So, we have a range of regalia drop-off times. 

When returning gowns, please either hand them to someone or place them in the collection bin. Please don’t leave gowns or trenchers on the floor as they can get easily damaged. 

If your regalia is not returned to one of these locations during the drop-off times shown below, we’ll have to invoice you up to $1,000 for the cost to replace your regalia.   

In a hurry?

Hopefully you’ll have plenty of time after the ceremony to wear your regalia and get some photos. But we know some people are on a tight schedule, so we also have a regalia drop-off location in the Town Hall. This will be available immediately after graduation finishes. You’ll exit the Town Hall via the big doors at the back of the hall and the drop-off point is straight across the foyer in front of you. 

If you choose this method of drop-off, please line up and hand your gown to a staff member so they can cross your name off the list. If we don’t note down that you have returned this, we may end up invoicing you. 

How do I look after my regalia?  

• Hang your regalia up to make sure it doesn’t get creased.  
• Please don’t pin anything to it.  
• If you need to iron anything, please use a dry iron on low heat (i.e. no steam), with a cloth to protect the fabric.  
• Makeup, perfume/body spray, tanning products, and food and drink can mark regalia easily, and cigarette burns, car door marks and footprints are often found on returned regalia.  
• Throwing trenchers in the air can also damage them so please be careful.  
• Please look after your regalia – if it’s damaged when you return it, you may need to pay a cleaning or replacement cost.  

What if I need to cancel my gown hire?  

Please try to let us know as soon as possible if you’re not coming and need to cancel your gown order (email graduation@op.ac.nz). The processing of refunds into your bank account takes up to 10 working days. If you have to cancel your order quite close to graduation day/on graduation day, please be aware that your refund may take a little longer to process due to workload.