Organization regalia will not be allowed during the May 2011 commencement ceremony, but implementing the policy will be tough because of an apparent lack of enforcement, according to a Faculty Senate committee.
The Commencement Committee, consisting of the Faculty Senate executive board, decided to implement the policy created by the Faculty Senate of 1992. The committee is also considering changing the color of the gown and having a separate ceremony where students can wear all other stoles and cords.
The memorandum, approved by the Faculty Senate in October, allows members of academic honor societies like Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Delta Kappa and African American Cultural Center and Latin honors to wear ribbons and stoles at the ceremony.
Faculty Senate President Kevin Cope said some groups on campus tell their members the memorandum isn’t going into effect, but it is.
Cope also said the Senate is by no means trying to diminish students’ achievements by enforcing the memorandum.
Cope said he spoke to the Student Government Senate about the finalization of the decision to enforce the memorandum after the SG Senate passed a resolution Oct. 6 urging the Faculty Senate to allow all regalia.
SG Vice President Dani Borel said while it has been finalized, no University departments have agreed to take on the responsibility of enforcing the memorandum.
Borel said a department would have to stand at the door checking students for banned regalia as they walk through the door, and departments have been hesitant to get involved.
Cope said students who disregard the integrity of the ceremony, especially when it is shown in pictures and on the news.
Joshua Goodrich, psychology junior, said if banning the regalia turns into a protest, it will take away from the ceremony.
But Lauren Horton, psychology senior, said being in an organization is part of a student’s time at the University and should be reflected in the ceremony.
“It’s a big part of the experience — it’s more than just academic,” Horton said.
Cope said the committee is looking into why the University gown color is black, but so far has found no reason except it is the “cheapest and cheesiest.”
Borel said the one aspect to be considered in changing the color of the gown is if the cost of the nearly $50 gown will rise.
Most stoles for academic honors are gold, so if the University was to change to purple gowns students would be wearing colors that mean something to them, Borel said.
Cope said the Commencement Committee is working to have a ceremony to honor students’ organization accomplishments the day before the commencement ceremony, but has run into issues.
“There’s a lack of venues on campus that can accommodate 300 to 400 people,” Cope said.
 
 
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Contact Celeste Ansley at [email protected]