Academic Costume One of the most colorful features of the academic procession is the appearance of graduates, faculty, members of the Oregon University System, 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. Gold, silver, and green cords are worn by honors graduates. 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. The tassel on the cap indicates by color the college or school conferring the degree. In addition to the cap and gown, candidates for advanced degrees wear the academic hood, the traditional garment signifying high scholarly attainment. The doctoral hood carries the colors of the college or school conferring the degree on the outside and PSU’s colors of green and white on the inside. 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.” Bachelor and Tassel / Hood Master Degrees Color Liberal Arts and Sciences Arts White Sciences Gold Business Administration Drab Education Light Blue Engineering Orange Fine and Performing Arts Brown Music Pink Social Work ............................Citron Urban and Public Affairs Peacock Blue Public Health Salmon Pink Doctoral Degrees Tassel / Hood Color Doctor of Philosophy Dark Blue Hood Gold Tassel Doctor of Education Light Blue Hood Gold Tassel 8
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