Commencement has a brand new look — and that includes what the graduates are wearing. The caps and gowns have turned green, in more ways than one.
The students who have purchased their caps and gowns know that instead of the traditional black regalia, this year’s graduates will be wearing emerald green gowns and mortar board caps.     
Stacy Miller, academic regalia coordinator at The Duck Store and University alumna of 1980, thinks the new regalia fits the University and its graduates better than ever.     
“I was personally excited about the color change, as I think it better reflects our campus. Green is symbolic not only as a University color, but it is also symbolic of the commitment to being green environmentally,” she said. “The black color is very generic and is worn extensively for academic ceremonies worldwide, but the green is far less common and therefore more distinctive.”
The gowns aren’t just a symbol of the University’s commitment to the environment — the fibers of the material are actually made out of wood sourced exclusively from renewable, managed forests.
Gown company Jostens’ new Elements Collection is “environmentally responsible,” with fabric that decomposes in soil after one year, zippers made entirely from recycled PET plastic, as are bottles and other food containers, and even packaging made from a plastic that is supposed to decompose more quickly.      
“We felt both the color and the function of the new regalia better represented what the University is about,” said Amber Garrison, director of family programs and commencement at the University.    
This also gives graduates the opportunity to buy their regalia rather than rent it, which also helps the environment by using less fuel to ship the gowns to the University and avoiding
chemicals needed to treat the gowns before reuse.     
Jostens is also starting a new “Give-Back Program” to continue commitment to the environment. Each gown comes with a numbered tag that students can enter on the Jostens’ Web site. For every tag entered, Jostens donates $1 to the Green Belt Movement or the Nature Conservancy.      
“I felt that this option would be very appropriate at the University of Oregon, given the environmental awareness we have here,” Miller said. “When we have a chance to make better environmental choices, we need to do so.”     
Miller and Garrison report that overall, people love the new color and sustainability of the gowns, and everyone is looking forward to a bigger and better commencement
celebration this year.    
“Graduation will be very special this year as we begin many new traditions meant to reflect and celebrate the hard work of all our graduates,” Garrison said.
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