On Wednesday, Feb. 22, the University announced that the regalia for this year’s commencement would not include the golden stoles, a decision that surprised many in this year’s graduating class. Stoles, which are a type of scarf associated with graduation attire, became part of the University’s official commencement regalia in 2006.
Even though the stoles are a relatively new addition, some in the senior class said they were traditional icons that they looked forward to. Senior Jonathan Martinez was frustrated by how the University made its decision.
“[I]t seems like a great tradition that’s being taken away from this graduating class,” Martinez wrote in an email to The News-Letter. “[A]t the very least, if they’re going to take it away, I would at least appreciate an explanation.”
Jill Williams, who is the primary planner of this year’s commencement ceremony for undergraduates. According to Williams, one of the reasons for the change was to reduce the costs of the regalia. This year it costs $50, half the price of previous years.
She explained how not requiring the stoles helps create a greater sense of “one university.”
“We are seeking to create a cohesive ‘One University’ academic appearance across Doctoral, Masters, and Bachelor levels in all nine divisions, and ask graduates to adhere to this year’s approved regalia,” Williams wrote in an email to The News-Letter. “Offering various options for students to purchase will leave out those who cannot afford the additional expense.”
However, senior Claire Parker, who created an online petition to bring back the stoles, stressed that it made Hopkins regalia unique. The petition, which was shared through Facebook, currently has 536 supporters, including both current students and parents.
Parker further explained that she feels the University does not do enough to solicit opinions from its students.
“[W]hat inspired me to create the petition was really a lot of built up frustrations with the University’s attitude towards undergraduates,” Parker wrote. “My personal Hopkins experience had certainly felt like the administration cares about the graduate students first and foremost.”
Mina Farag, a graduate of the class of 2016, explained in an email to The News-Letter that he was disappointed by the University’s decision.
“The stole was the most expressive piece of the gown and offered a hint of color to a five-hour long ceremony,” Farag wrote.
Some undergraduate seniors, however, feel that frustration over the decision to remove the stole is not warranted. Jonathan Brown, a senior and Student Government Association (SGA) senator, argued that the frustration over the stole is not necessarily worth it.
“I think my degree and speaking about my experience at college is more profound than a piece of cloth,” Jonathan Brown wrote in an email to The News-Letter. “I was not aware of the tradition, but I still do not think it’s worth increasing the price of the regalia.”
Senior Jordan Britton echoed these sentiments, saying that to them stoles were not nearly as important as their diplomas.
“The lack of the stole does not detract from the value of your degree. There are so many people who wish they could have the opportunity to graduate from Hopkins but can't for a variety of reasons,” Britton wrote in an email to The News-Letter. “Being able to even complain about the stole is a sign of privilege. The petition is shortsighted and shows a lack of appreciation for the opportunities they've had in life.”
According to Williams, the vendor contracting process was started over a year ago.
Charlie Green, SGA president, explained that while the decision made sense, SGA should have been directly consulted.
“I would say that after talking to Jill Williams after the decision would made, it logistically made sense from a cost perspective,” Green wrote in an email to The News-Letter. “However, I wish that this change was communicated to the SGA before the change was made.”
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