Policies for Wearing Phi Theta Kappa's Commencement Honor Cord Explained

Phi Theta Kappa's Honors Cord, a double rope in the Society colors of blue and gold, is designed to be worn at community college commencement ceremonies by Phi Theta Kappa members, to indicate their membership in an academic honor society. Wearing the honor cord at commencement is a benefit of membership extended to all Phi Theta Kappa graduates, and the privilege of wearing the honor cord may not be used to reward members for participation in chapter activities. According to a Policy Statement issued by the Board of Directors in 1988, no chapter may deny privileges guaranteed by the Society Constitution to any Phi Theta Kappa member. Like the commencement stole and tassel, however, the wearing of the Phi Theta Kappa honor cord is contingent upon the academic regalia policy of each individual college. For example, if the college administration states that the honors stole, tassel and cord may be worn at their commencement exercises, it must be a consistent policy for all chapter members.