Traditionally, Whitman students have worn college-owned black caps and gowns at graduation. This year, for the first time, student will instead march in dark blue gowns which they are being required to purchase.
As of this year, graduating seniors must purchase their own cap and gown through the school. The requirement is an effort by administrators to unify the types of gowns worn during commencement and maintain the appearance and commencement tradition at Whitman. However, this move has been criticized by many seniors, who feel they have enough other expenses pay for and things to worry about.
In years past, Whitman has loaned out various black gowns to graduating seniors from Whitman’s inventory of gowns, and new caps were provided at no extra cost to students. The administration has moved to change this because the previous gowns are of different styles and a certain number of gowns were mended each year to accommodate shorter students.
“We had gowns that were purchased in the 70s, the 80s and the 90s and they all look and feel a little different,” said Development Officer Jed Schwendiman “It’s becoming harder to maintain the bulk of the inventory so that we can keep the students, faculty and alumni who are here for their 50th reunion in gowns.”
According to Schwendiman, although the administration was behind the major push for the change in caps and gowns, the Senior Class Committee was consulted and helped select the vendor from which students will be purchasing their gowns.
Many seniors, however, feel they have not been adequately informed of the reasons for the switch. With the amount of work many seniors have to accomplish before graduating, some feel that they have been left in the dark about the change and have not had the time to argue against the policy.
“I’d just really like to just sit down with someone and ask why this switch has happened, in the sense we’re preparing for our thesis and orals and we just get an e-mail telling us that we have to buy our caps and gowns,” said senior Gauri Mirashi.
Seniors graduating from Whitman this year are required to purchase their cap, gown, and tassel through the school for a total of 29.99 dollars plus tax. Students are given the option to keep their gown, or recycle it for students graduating the following year, who will also be required to purchase caps and gowns.
Seniors who choose to not keep their gown will be asked to place their gowns in bins located outside of Cordiner Hall and Reid Campus Center after commencement. This program has been developed by senior ASWC Senator Robin Lewis and Schwendiman. Schwendiman has high hopes that the program will be in place in future years for students who financially cannot afford to pay the extra fee for a cap and gown.
“We’ll collect donated gowns, pick them up, and hang them up for current juniors on a first-come, first-served basis,” Schwendiman said.
Because the college requires graduating seniors to attend commencement in order to receive their diploma, paying for a cap and gown is a requirement for students to graduate. For many seniors this year, who no longer have the option of renting a gown from the college or re-using a gown from a previous senior, the added expense is another worry.
“Whitman is diverse in terms of financial status, and I think it is unfair that students are required to buy a cap and gown,” said Mirashi. “Spending 30 dollars for a one-time use is just not worth it.”
According to Schwendiman, financial assistance, however, is provided for students who are recorded to meet the financial aid requirements.
“For students [who cannot afford a gown] we ask them to come into the Dean of Students Office and we’ll help them subsidize the cost,” Schwendiman said.
Other seniors across campus are also critical of the policy change because they feel as though Whitman is emphasizing the image of the college and the tradition of commencement over the environmental goals of many students across campus.
“I think it’s representative of an instance where the college’s environmental goals are in conflict with the college’s desire for a certain image,” said senior and Sustainability Coordinator Ari Frink.
Senior ASWC Senator Elise Otto, who has been critical of the policy change, said in an e-mail, that although the policy may appear to be unfair to many students, the change may be better for the college in the long run.
“The college has definite reasons for switching to new gowns. Senior Senator Robin Lewis and I have been working hard to make sure that switch happens at the lowest environmental and student cost without creating unnecessary work for valued Whitman staff,” she said.
