“[The
cap and gown] is symbolic, and it is something I have imagined for many years,”
she says. “[It] also represents the graduates as professionals, as we should be
when we graduate. I, along with many other dedicated students, find that this
trivializes our education and significance of graduation.”
The
lack of a cap and gown requirement is one that was decided upon by students
themselves. Several years ago, the provincial government amended the B.C.
University Act, changing the status of several post-secondary institutions to
that of a University, which mandated many changes at these schools.
“When
we received University status in 2008, we polled students about whether they
would like to wear a cap and gown at convocation,” says Barry Patterson,
Executive Director of Communications at Emily Carr University. “The majority of
those who responded did not wish to wear a cap and gown, and since this time,
the matter has not come up. To address those that wished to have formal attire,
the University created scarves for the event, which reflect the specific degree
awarded.”
However,
Woods-Gonzalez feels that this is too important of a tradition to be left to a
survey, particularly one done so long ago: “Not only do I find this a matter to
not be surveyed, I do not think that a survey from over five years ago is relevant
to the current demographic of students. The cap and gown is a symbol and
tradition and is not questioned at any other university I have heard of,” she
says. “Opinions vary throughout individual demographics … What I find
interesting is how this issue was even brought up for discussion. I could not see
any other university putting this up for discussion.”
Despite
the lack of dress code, Emily Carr does encourage students to dress formally
for the event: “The majority have worn formal or semiformal attire, but others
have chosen to wear attire that reflects their personal style or cultural background,”
says Patterson. Emily Carr being an Arts institution, some students may use the
event to express their creativity, or personal quirks.
“Due
to the certain individuality of our student body, certain individuals take the
event as an opportunity to make a statement,” says Woods-Gonzalez. “Last year,
one student arrived in her pajamas. Not only is this an absolute embarrassment for
myself as a student of the university, it is appalling to the school and
graduating class in its entirety.”
Patterson
notes that, in the past, this decision was made democratically, and that the
university is open to instituting the requirement, if the students will it.
However, Emily Carr has never had a cap and gown requirement for their graduation
ceremony.
“If
the majority of students want to wear gowns, then we will accommodate their
request, if time and resources permit us to do so for this year. If not, we
will certainly address it for next year’s convocation ceremony,” he says. To this
end, Woods-Gonzalez has been in contact with the students’ union about doing
another student survey.
However,
Woods-Gonzalez is aware that another survey of the students may fail to meet result
she wishes. Regardless of whether or not she is successful, she still wishes to
attend her convocation in the traditional attire – if she can get a group of
people to show up together in cap and gowns. “I think it would look strange if
I was the only one in a cap and gown!” she notes.
“I
find it upsetting that most people I have discussed this with, including
students, say, ‘What do you expect? You go to art school,’” says Woods-Gonzalez.
“The problem is, I do not go to art school; I go to an accredited art
university. I am getting my undergraduate degree, just as anyone else would at
UBC, Capilano, or SFU. I do not think the image of a casual convocation represents
us as the outstanding arts university that Emily Carr is. If our school took
this more seriously, so would the students.”
Until
a survey is completed, it appears as though cap and gowns will remain
voluntary.
“I
want to change this frivolous altering of tradition,” Woods-Gonzalez says. “I
have been imagining my undergraduate convocation for many years, and the way my
school has decided to approach the ceremony is not only disappointing, but a
complete embarrassment.”
//Gurpreet Kambo, news editor
//Graphics by Jason Jeon
//Gurpreet Kambo, news editor
//Graphics by Jason Jeon
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