ACADEMIC COSTUME One of the most colorful features of the academic procession is the appearance of graduates, faculty, members of Oregon State System of Higher Education, and guests of the University in full academic costume. The design of the gown, the color of the tassel on the cap, and the pattern, length and colors of the hood all have long histories and special significance. American universities, unlike those of England and Europe, have adopted a standard code of academic costume. According to the code, the bachelor’s gown worn by Portland State University graduating seniors has straight sleeves and is worn closed. The master’s gown has long, pointed sleeves with the forearm being seen through a slit at the elbow of the sleeves. The doctor’s gown is faced with velvet and has bell-shaped sleeves. Each sleeve carries three bars of velvet, or chevrons. The doctoral hood carries the colors of the college or university conferring the degree (white and green for Portland State); and the color for the academic area: White—Arts and Letters Drab—Business Administration Light Blue—Education Sage Green—Health and Physical Education Golden Yellow—Science Cream—Social Science Citron—Social Work Cream—Urban Affairs One legend, which deals with the origin of the cap and gown, reveals that a venerable teacher in ancient Greece promised wealthy parents that their sons would be “appropriately dressed’’ when presented at a banquet honoring the completion of their academic studies. However, when the young men entered the banquet hall dressed in simple sackcloth robes and carrying mortar boards, the mark of common workmen, a startled cry arose from the audience. “Let me explain,” said the teacher as he raised his hands for silence. “Your sons are dressed in clothing of the mason, for their destiny is to build. Some will build cities, some will build lives—perhaps one of them may even build an empire. But all will be builders on the solid foundation of knowledge.” 7
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