For many, a University of Oregon education costs upwards of $150,000. On top of that, you have put hours and hours of hard work into earning the degree.
Once you’ve crossed the finish line, it seems fitting that you should have something to show for any prestigious awards you might have garnered during your education. For some awards and extracurriculars, you’ll get that for free. However, if you are a first-generation student and want to show off your achievement, it’ll cost you $38 at the Duck Store.
For students who may be putting themselves through school and juggling the already high costs of caps, gowns and senior photos, an extra cost for something they worked so hard to achieve seems insensitive.
Devlin Christiansen is a graduating journalism student at UO. He is a first-generation student, and had no idea about the first-generation student stole. When talking about the cost of the stole, Christiansen was surprised.
“I think that’s really high. It kind of just reflects that generations of families haven’t been able to afford education like that,” Christiansen said. “This is supposed to be a celebration, so I think it’s awfully ironic that they would be charging that much for something so significant to people.”
There are some ways to counteract this, such as the Grad-to-Grad Gown Share run by the Student Sustainability Center. However, the website clearly states that “Gowns are first-come, first-served. We also have a limited number of caps and other regalia available.”
This does not guarantee a student a stole, or even a cap and gown.
Applied voice major Gianna Alberico is also a first-generation student. She graduates next year, and said that she plans on purchasing a first-generation stole, but thinks the university should at least help cover the cost.
“For me, wearing that stole represents honor and privilege,” Alberico said. “My parents didn’t get to go to college for financial reasons, but I get to carry that honor.”
She also said she’ll consider using the Grad-to-Grad Gown Share, but doesn’t know if they’ll have the first-generation stole available.
For many first-generation students like Christiansen, working at least part-time is a necessity to afford schooling, food and other basic necessities. He worked throughout his whole time at UO, only taking two quarters off due to taking 18 credits.
Christiansen believes the university should do more than just acknowledge first-generation students. It should put its money where its mouth is.
“If the university wants to say that they really value first-generation students, throwing in an extra stole in the graduation package for kids doing something that never happened in their family, that would be a good way to show it,” Christiansen said.
For a university that proudly celebrates its first-generation community, $38 shouldn’t be the price of that recognition. If the UO genuinely wants to honor students who charted new territory for their families, it should make sure the symbol of that achievement, in this case, the stole, doesn’t come with a barrier to entry.
