For Ph.D. hoods, at least in the U.S., the width of the velvet tells
the degree. The color of the velvet tells the discipline. The lining
of the hood tells the institution. Some institutions, such as
Rutgers, Columbia, Harvard, Yale, and the University of Rochester,
also have official robe colors, although the individual can always
choose black. Master's hoods have narrower bands the color of which,
I believe, tells only the type of Master's (M.A., M.S., etc.), and a
lining in the institution's colors. Bachelor's hoods, which contrary
to common practice should not be worn TO the ceremony but should be
awarded AT the ceremony, have the narrowest velvet, again coded only
to type of Bachelor's (B.A. white, B.S. gold), and a lining in the
institution's colors. Where I used to teach the graduates wore their
Bachelor's hoods to the ceremony, and that's why students in the
program I used to teach in looked distinctive: we always gave a
champagne breakfast for our graduates before the ceremony, and I was
in charge of turning their hoods right-side-up before they left for
the ceremony, and they were often the only ones there who had it
right! The things ARE rather counter-intuitive to put on, but if
someone would explain to the kids that the little loops are meant to
go around a shirt button I think they'd figur out how to get it on
right-side-up eventually.
On the robe: the Ph.D. robe has full sleeves with three horizontal
velvet stripes and is worn closed; the M.A. robe has bat-wing
sleeves, traditionally sewn closed across the bottom and with a
horizontal slit at about the elbow for the arm to come through (but
cheap robes may have open sleeves that come down to the elbow in
front and are angled longer in back--yes, no place for tissues, car
keys, or the Times crossword) and is worn open, held in place by long
crossing ties attached to the inside of the robe (although cheap
robes just have zippers and therefore can't attractively be worn
open). Bachelor's gowns have full sleeves longer in back than in
front, like typical angel costumes in school pageants, and are worn
closed. I believe outside the U.S. there is a wider variety of robe
styles.
Theoretically here only Ph.D.s are entitled to the soft square cap
instead of the mortarboard (and only they get the gold tassel), but
many M.A.s who own their regalia wear the soft cap too, but with a
black tassel. All due appreciation for tradition, but why BUY
something that makes one look like an idiot? Yes, my colleague from
New Zealand had a "floppy" cap of which I continue to be very jealous.
Now that I'm a Roads Scholar (one of the many nicknames for people
who teach part-time at several institutions at once) I don't get
invited to participate in graduation, so things may have changed over
the last decade or so.
--Ruth Anne Baumgartner
scholar gypsy and amateur costumer
On Apr 16, 2009, at 8:23 PM, Susan Farmer wrote:
Quoting R Lloyd Mitchell <rmitch...@staff.washjeff.edu>:
Yes, the hat I described is the floppy one...and now seems to be
the major style of Phds at W&J, Pa.
After reading some of the other replies, it would appear that the
color scheme is not totally understood. Math and all of the other
disciplines have a traditional color so that if you are watching
a 'parade', you can identify what department the wearer
represents. The other color identifies what Institution the
degree was gained. The style of the hood itself identifies the
Degree of higher learning. Thus, ubless every one went to the
same university the colors will make their own honorific statement.
It's my understanding that the Color Scheme only applies to hoods.
The velvet is the color of the discipline -- the color(s) of the
satin are the colors of the institution. The velvet bands on the
front of the gown and the sleeves c either be the discipline
colors, trimmed in the discipline colors, or Your Basic Black.
Susan
-----
Susan Farmer
sfar...@goldsword.com
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
Division of Science and Math
http://www.goldsword.com/sfarmer/Trillium/
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