After getting ready the morning of graduation, seniors do one final outfit check before putting on their cap and gown. A UNK blue and gold tassel hangs from their cap, ready to be turned over, representing the transition from student to alum.
This year, though, standard graduation regalia will include one more item – a stole.
Many organizations and departments on campus hand out stoles to graduating seniors, but starting with May’s graduation, the regalia package now includes a UNK stole.
This change, while made with good-intent, needs reworking.
As reported by The Antelope, University officials said the stole addition was meant to highlight unity and shared achievement. While these are wonderful things to highlight, there are other parts of the graduation ceremony that represent the same thing and are not an additional cost for students.
Even with adding the stole to the regalia package, it’s almost a guarantee that at least one graduate will show up without one. The unified look seems like a long shot.
Every graduate deserves to be recognized for their hard work. Earning a degree is a huge accomplishment and one we don’t diminish in any way. That said, adding a standard stole in a way takes away the significance of other stoles meant to signify academic achievement, special honors or organization involvement.
The standard stole feels like a participation award that we have to pay for, causing other honors to fall to the wayside.
The most concerning outcome of the stole addition is the price tag. Prior to the change, graduation regalia cost students $50. This in itself is hefty for students. Adding the stole raised the cost to $80, and with shipping and taxes, it comes out to just over $100.
Students now have to prepare to spend twice as much as they would’ve expected. $100 is a price many students not only don’t want to pay, but also simply can’t. Plus, this price tag comes after paying the $25 graduation application fee.
After years of loans, debt and paying for college, paying such a big sum to graduate feels like a slap in the face. We know nothing in life comes free, but seeing the cost to walk in the graduation ceremony is discouraging for seniors. Many may choose not to walk because they can’t afford or don’t want to pay for the regalia.
Cost shouldn’t be a deterrent from celebrating one of the biggest accomplishments of one’s life.
For future graduation ceremonies, other options should be considered. On the online store, students only had the option to buy the regalia package instead of individual components. While this may be a distributor’s decision, UNK should look into an option that separates the cap, gown, tassel and stole. Some students may be able to borrow or rent a gown for less, which would help make the stole cost more feasible.
A rental system could be a good option as well. Many students don’t need or want all of their graduation regalia past the ceremony. Renting could be cheaper and help with sustainability. Having students pay a deposit could help ensure items are returned or covered if not.
