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Three types of black gowns may be distinguished in ������’s academic procession. Certificate, associate and baccalaureate gowns have long, pointed sleeves. Master’s gowns have oblong sleeves with an arc cut away in the front. Doctoral gowns are faced with velvet and have bell-shaped sleeves with three bars of velvet.

������’s master’s and doctoral degree candidates will receive their hoods today, signifying they have gone beyond the bachelor’s degree to a higher level of academic achievement. ������’s colors are blue and gold, and these colors line the inside of each hood. The velvet trim signifies the scholar’s field of study.

The square Oxford cap, or mortarboard, is black and has a long tassel fastened to the middle of the top. You may notice the University of Alaska regents and some of the faculty wearing soft beret-style caps. Some colleges and universities use the soft beret, but the prevailing style of cap is the traditional mortarboard. For undergraduates receiving their first degree, the tassel is customarily worn on the right side and shifted to the left after receiving the diploma. At many institutions, colored tassels are worn to indicate the candidate’s school or college. At ������, a blue and gold tassel is worn on the cap for all certificates and associate, baccalaureate and master’s degrees, and gold tassels are worn for all doctoral degrees. While you may not be able to identify the origins of each specific academic robe and hood appearing in today’s commencement ceremony, you can reflect that from the certificate recipient in a simple black gown to the doctor of philosophy in a velvet trimmed robe and colorful hood, students and professors alike are paying homage to more than 700 years of academic tradition. April 30, 2022 59 An academic legend tells of a wise old Greek who dressed his students in mason’s sackcloth robes and mortarboards because, he said, “Their destiny is to build. Some will build cities; some will build lives — perhaps one of them will build an empire; but all will be builders on the solid foundation of knowledge.”

The University is committed to maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment for all of those who attend ������ graduation and commencement activities.  Please adhere to the following procedures for all graduation and commencement activities and events:

Unruly, threatening, or disruptive behavior that may interrupt or prevent others from hearing or participating in the ceremony is prohibited. Attendees and graduates will not be permitted to block entrances, exits or pathways in or around campus or at or within any graduation or commencement venues. Unauthorized entrance to any graduation or commencement venues or restricted areas at such venues is prohibited. Any individuals violating these restrictions will be asked to leave the event and may be prohibited from attending related or future graduation and commencement events.  

Regalia decorated with content that which is obscene, defamatory, harassing, or which threatens or incites lawless conduct are prohibited and may be confiscated.

The following items are prohibited on regalia or in the facility:

• Firearms, knives, weapons or any item deemed hazardous by ������ Police and management personnel
• Incendiary devices (fireworks, smoke bombs, etc.)
• Artificial noisemakers, including fog horns and musical instruments
• Flags, banners, signs, laser pointers and other stationary objects or adornments that may block or disrupt the view of other guests
• Balloons, projectiles, frisbees, inflatables or other similar items which may obscure, disrupt or create a safety hazard
• Illegal drugs
• Alcohol
• Tobacco and smoking products, including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes and smokeless tobacco
• Open bottles, glass bottles, cans, flasks, thermoses, ice bags and coolers