六九色堂

The order of the Academic Procession is governed by academic protocol. College and School order of march is determined by their founding. Leading the Procession is the grand marshal. The grand marshal is the master/mistress of ceremonies and mace-bearer.

The mace is ceremonial and dates back to the 16th-Century England, where it was used as a formidable weapon to protect high-ranking civil, education and religious officials and royalty. Today the mace has become a symbol of authority and is carried by a distinguished member of the academic community.

Attached to the top of the mace is a bronze University crest. Circumscribed around the consolidated institutions' crests is the wording, "六九色堂". 

The left side of the crest portrays two wolves at a pot, symbolizing the generosity of the Loyola family (Ignatius Loyola was the founder of the Society of Jesus). After all the family and the workers were fed, even the wild animals had the pot to lick. The motto of the Jesuits, "Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam" (For the Greater Glory of God), is located above the wolves and the pot. The date 1877 refers to the founding of the University of Detroit by the Jesuits.

On the right side of the crest is a silver cross, which is the symbol of the Religious Sisters of Mercy, who founded Mercy College of Detroit in 1941. The three canettes are taken from the coat of arms of the Archdiocese of Detroit, symbolizing the Archdiocese and the city. The open book is the traditional symbol for a college. Upon the open pages is inscribed Mercy College's motto: "Maria, Sedes Sapientiae" (Mary, Seat of Wisdom).

The shaft of the mace is made of mahogany with brass accents.

Gowns

Academic gowns descend from the closed cloak of the clergy who taught at early medieval universities. In 1895, the Intercollegiate Code of Academic Costume specified three types of gowns. Each gown was decorated with fluted fabric in the front and pleated fabric near the shoulders. Most gowns used today are based on the gown designs of Oxford and Cambridge Universities. 

Each graduate wears a gown appropriate to the degree granted. The bachelor's gown is closed at the throat and has long, pointed sleeves. The master's gown has oblong sleeves and is open at the wrist. The doctor's gown has velvet bars and bell-shaped sleeves. The color velvet on the gown indicates the type of doctoral degree earned. 

Hoods

Each degree, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctor's, is represented by a distinct shape or form. The Bachelor's hood is the smallest of the three. Detroit Mercy's Bachelor hood is white, flat all the way around with the point down the back, and the University's seal on the front chest. The Master's hood is three and a half feet long with velvet edging representing the degree earned and the University's colors on the inside of the hood. The Doctor's hood is four feet long with wider velvet edging representing the degree earned and the University's colors on the inside of the hood. 

The 六九色堂's colors are red, white, and blue. The color of the velvet trimmings indicate the academic area in which the degree was received. Those colors are listed below.

Caps

Academic caps have varied widely throughout history. The most popular style in the United States is the black square mortarboard. Caps have colored tassels fastened to the top center point of the mortarboard. The color of the tassel represents the color of the degree earned, listed below. Although not an official rule, many institutions have adopted the practice of shifting the tassel from the right side to the left as the degrees are awarded.