Winter of your 4^th (or 5^th) year is a time to come to the end of university life and prepare for ‘real-life’. The graduation ceremony is a reminder that you’re at the end of your university years that would have seemed short for some, or seemed to have dragged on for others, and a cheer for a new beginning. However, there have been persistent complaints from students about this graduation ceremony. It was the matter of academic gown. This issue has been mentioned from the most recent August graduation ceremony. After March 2019, the 61^st student council in Chung-Ang University Seoul campus (α⁺) began the course of remaking the uniform. On June 10^th, they made progress in changing the design of the gown, including a survey of students' preferences. However, the alteration in the design of the academic dress was halted. The Graduate Preparation Committee of the 62^nd student council in Chung-Ang University Seoul campus (Syn-) explained they heard this from the school at a meeting held on August 7^th. Therefore, we do not know when the design of the gown will be changed. So then, what does an academic gown mean? Why was there a controversy about the gown? CAH will take a closer look at this. Let's find out together.

1. What Does an Academic Gown Mean?

What is the academic gown? A dictionary definition of the gown is the clothes that we wear in the graduation ceremonies after obtaining a degree. The black gown traditionally worn now comes from the clothes of monks and priests from medieval universities, which formed around the 12^th century. The medieval university had characteristics as cathedral schools, where they usually wore long black or brown gowns. Later, the gown became a school uniform, and the shape of the uniform has been changed over time. Based on the academic uniforms of European universities, John James, director of Princeton University in the U.S., created the prescript in 1893. Academic gowns in the United States are uninformed by degrees according to regulations. This academic dress is still in use. In Korea, American academic gowns were used at the first graduation ceremony held in 1908 at Che Jung Won Medical School[1], the first modern higher educational institutions. An interview with a student who is in 4^th grade and who is about to graduate, said, "The academic gown is not only a symbol of graduation but also it is a symbol for my parents because they want to take pictures with me when they see me wearing the gown."

2. Why is the Issue of Gown Continuing?

First of all, the existing academic gown does not show the characteristic of Chung-Ang University. At present, the gown is entirely black. In 2019, at Chung-Ang University community sites, cauin, a proposal to make a new gown of Chung-Ang University appeared. The student asserted the black gown is hard to be distinguished from other schools. Besides, the student said that he suggests the gown, including the symbol of CAU, could show the identities of CAU. After that, in 2020, another post demanded a change in the design of the current academic gown.

Another reason is that the plan to change the design of the gown has been discontinued. In 2019, the 61^st student council of the Seoul Campus, Chung-Ang University tried to change the design of the gown by holding a design contest for students. However, at the graduation ceremony held in August 2020, students still wore the traditional black academic dress. Why has the project to change the design of academic dress been discontinued? In response, the Graduate Preparation Committee (GPC) of the 62^nd student council of Seoul Campus told the results of the meeting with the university. The GPC said that the project of Chung-Ang University to produce a new academic gown last year was part of the 'Royalty Enhancement Project' under the previous Provost of the school. However, the Provost was changed while the project was underway. Besides, due to the spread of the COVID-19, the project has been ceased." "We also confirmed that the project proceeded beyond a certain stage last year. However, the graduation ceremony, face-to-face, could not be possible, and the Provost was changed. Thus, it would be hard to discuss again immediately." Students responded on 'Every time,' "I voted last time, but why are we still holding off on the basic black dress?" and "Why are they delaying the change in the design of the gown even now it is possible to rent the black gown?"

3. Cases of the Gown Changes

Within Chung-Ang University, the Ph.D. gown changed to a new design at the 2012 spring commencement ceremony. The new academic gown is based on the traditional color of Korea, celadon green, and used colors that symbolize each of the five colleges of Chung-Ang University. According to Chung-Ang University, these colors were used as symbolic beauty to show harmony and communication between academic disciplines and the value of a Ph.D. Besides, the academic gown of the School of Korean music has used the design based on "a long crane-white gown" worn by scholars from the Joseon Dynasty since 2005. However, the undergraduate academic remains the same.

How have the academic uniforms been changed at other universities?

Following Sookmyung Women's University and Korea University in 2005, Seoul National University (SNU) in 2012 changed its black gown from the first graduation ceremony in 1947 for the first time in 65 years. According to SNU, the new academic gown shows the identity of SNU by displaying its unique colors and symbolic marks. In 2017, Yonsei University also changed its new academic gown and graduation cap, called 'The Eagle Gown.' Chun Jong-suk is a professor of the Department of Clothing and Textiles at Yonsei University and designed the gown. She said in an interview with the JoongAng Ilbo, "The graduation ceremony, awarding the degree, is one of the most important ceremonies in the university. The academic gown represents the identity of the school." Hanyang University, Seoul Women's University, and Ewha Womans University are also using newly redesigned gowns. Recently, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies is conducting a project to change the design of the uniforms.

Wearing a black academic gown, holding a bouquet, and throwing your graduation cap are common at graduation ceremonies. However, many universities, including Yonsei University, have changed the existing design to a design that can show their unique traditions and characteristics. Students of Chung-Ang University said that they feel the lack of a unique gown, can show the character of Chung-Ang University. Chung-Ang University has more than 100 years of history, but students should wear a black gown which has history from elsewhere. According to the survey of Chung-Ang University students, conducted in November by CAH, some students also said they wanted to wear a more beautiful and stylish academic gown that can show the character of Chung-Ang University. They suggest adding the point with a logo and a blue dragon and use the blue that is the symbol of Chung-Ang University. Currently, the project to change the design of the academic suit has been ceased. However, if the project continues, we may discuss the academic gown again. Therefore, the university needs to listen to the opinions of students regarding the gown design, and the students need to have more interest in changing the academic gown and actively express their opinion. If so, a new one will be born.

[1] The basis school for Yonsei University School of Medicine