Wearing Other People's Graduation Regalia

carnation · #1 05-22-2010, 02:37 PM

Today, our 8th child graduated from high school. We noticed that one girl--who's maybe the biggest B at the school--was wearing honors regalia and a teacher stared at her and said, "That must be her older sister's; believe me, she didn't graduate with any honors." (We've known the kid for years and we figured that out early on. Evil jerk.)

I asked my son about it and he said that a lot of people walked with friends' or siblings' past regalia. I was

; as a former college professor, I can't believe that someone would do that. This son didn't graduate with honors--he was 0.2 of a point short--and we wouldn't have dreamed of heaping his older siblings' regalia on him.

Has anyone else heard of this?

als463 · #2 05-22-2010, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carnation

Today, our 8th child graduated from high school. We noticed that one girl--who's maybe the biggest B at the school--was wearing honors regalia and a teacher stared at her and said, "That must be her older sister's; believe me, she didn't graduate with any honors." (We've known the kid for years and we figured that out early on. Evil jerk.)

I asked my son about it and he said that a lot of people walked with friends' or siblings' past regalia. I was

; as a former college professor, I can't believe that someone would do that. This son didn't graduate with honors--he was 0.2 of a point short--and we wouldn't have dreamed of heaping his older siblings' regalia on him.

Has anyone else heard of this?

Wow. That is really weird. Why would someone do that? That is the same to me as wearing someone else's Greek letters when you never joined that org. or ever went Greek. Carnation, where do you teach as a Professor? My boyfriend has been looking at some great colleges for a Masters/Ph.D. program or Medical School. Any suggestions?

Well, I think that is weird someone would wear someone else's honors cords and whatnot. Did anyone ask the girl about it? I'm just as

as you are about that. Is that the new thing these days? You know, wearing other people's items that you did not receive or earn yourself?

DrPhil · #3 05-22-2010, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by als463

My boyfriend has been looking at some great colleges for a Masters/Ph.D. program or Medical School. Any suggestions?

I'm sure he's more than capable of researching that himself.

als463 · #4 05-22-2010, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I'm sure he's more than capable of researching that himself.

I don't see why I can't ask about that. Maybe you have some advice about it. Anyone who wants to give advice about Masters/Ph.D. programs is more than welcome to do it. He is open to any state. The only reason I care about it is because I'm really hoping to move to a state where I would enjoy living and not a state that I would probably hate. Where did you get your Ph.D., if you don't mind me asking? I have my Masters but, not in something he is looking for.

He has been looking at schools in Georgia, where carnation is from. Maybe she has some good advice about it.

As far as large universities catching things like that, I know that for some reason my school was really stupid about that. I remember they told us we couldn't wear any cords or stoles. It was so stupid. I wanted to have one made up with my letters on it but, I was too afraid to upset the administration. One of my friends, an SGRho, was smart enough to not care. She had the nicest stole with her letters on it. After that, I was so annoyed I didn't do the same.

DrPhil · #5 05-22-2010, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by als463

I don't see why I can't ask about that.

Because it's his gig.

Let him have it. If he was your underage son, that would be different.

Quote:

Originally Posted by als463

As far as large universities catching things like that, I know that for some reason my school was really stupid about that. I remember they told us we couldn't wear any cords or stoles. It was so stupid. I wanted to have one made up with my letters on it but, I was too afraid to upset the administration. One of my friends, an SGRho, was smart enough to not care. She had the nicest stole with her letters on it. After that, I was so annoyed I didn't do the same.

I've never heard of a college or university forbidding cords and stoles. The graduation coordinators probably didn't care for the school's restriction and didn't mind your friend's stole. If it had been something more ridiculous, like someone else's honors regalia, they probably would've caught it (a lot of schools of various sizes highlight the honors students during the program along with a corresponding name and number for each graduate).

als463 · #6 05-22-2010, 03:52 PM

[QUOTE=DrPhil;1932820]Because it's his gig.

Let him have it. If he was your underage son, that would be different.

I've never heard of a college or university forbidding cords and stoles. The graduation coordinators probably didn't care for the school's restriction and didn't mind your friend's stole. If it had been something more ridiculous, like someone else's honors regalia, they probably would've caught it (a lot of schools of various sizes highlight the honors students during the program along with a corresponding name and number for each graduate).[/QUOTE]

That's just it, though...I will be moving with him. We are planning on getting engaged/ married and I don't want to move to some place that is so far away or that I hate. In fact, he told me that until I started working again, this summer, I should check out other schools with great programs in what he wants. He works stupid/crazy hours at the hospital and he is currently studying up for the GRE. There isn't anything wrong with asking for my help. In fact, I enjoy doing it. I respect a lot of the people on here and I'm sure they would have some great advice to give regarding grad schools. if you have any advice-please share.

Nope, they were jerks about it. That really surprised me. I wish I would have just not listened and worn my gear. Maybe it has since changed. I hope it has for the sake of the newer classes graduating.

carnation · #7 05-22-2010, 04:01 PM

All I can figure out is that they must not check the kids before they march in or that whoever checks them has no clue who's supposed to wear what. Come to think of it, I believe that someone said that the coaches were in there with the graduates. (Mystery solved.)

I still think that the honor society and honor grad faculty should check them before they march. Last year, the NHS advisor refused to let the members who had done dual college/high school enrollment wear their stoles because they hadn't come to any meetings--they were taking their college classes. Punishing them for excelling!

There was a huge uproar and the national office of the NHS said there was nothing they could do. One of Tall Son's sisters found her old NHS stole and told him to wear it anyway but he said it really didn't matter to him anymore and we didn't want him getting jerked out of line. Now I realize he probably wouldn't have but the difference was that he had earned his stole. These kids earned nothing.

starang21 · #8 05-22-2010, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I've never heard of a college or university forbidding stoles.

mine did. we weren't able to wear anything unless the school said it was ok.

i snuck mine on.

but then again, mine didn't even call our names for the undergraduates. they just flashed the names on this screen and it was like a lunch line.

honeychile · #9 05-23-2010, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I've never heard of a college or university forbidding cords and stoles.

We weren't allowed - only Masters and PhDs were permitted them. But I think it was part of the times, because they allowed them now.

In all of my graduation pictures, I'm easy to find - I was seated next to the Master of Thrift who wouldn't get a cap and gown and wore a suit.

On a hijack, we had to wear white gloves for a receiving line at DAR recently, and the people who said they were selling new ones ran out. Those of us who were voting (as opposed to spending money!) got together and about 10 went through the line, gave the next ten their gloves, and so on.

jessica.lanelle · #10 05-22-2010, 02:54 PM

I can't believe the school officials would let someone wear honors regalia that they did not earn. That is totally unfair to the people that did earn it, regardless of who it belonged to originally.

als463 · #11 05-22-2010, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jessica.lanelle

I can't believe the school officials would let someone wear honors regalia that they did not earn. That is totally unfair to the people that did earn it, regardless of who it belonged to originally.

I agree with that. Why would the school not make them take it off? If it was a major university where you don't exactly know who is in what-then, I can see it not making a big stir. In a highschool where everyone probably knows everyone's business, it is a big deal. What did the Advisor of that honors group say to the girl? If anyone should have said anything-it should have been the Advisor.

DrPhil · #12 05-22-2010, 02:58 PM

No, but kids do the darndest and dumbest things.

This wouldn't go over at the college level. The most they get to do is put silly stuff on their cap and smuggle beach balls in.

bostongreek · #13 05-22-2010, 03:12 PM

I do know that robes and tassels are handed down and sold (those things can get expensive!) at the college level, but that's really tacky to wear honors cords you did not earn.

Kappamd · #14 05-22-2010, 08:53 PM

My university limited us to 3 "extras." I had my stole from Kappa, my honors medallion, and my medallion from the honors college. They didn't check to make sure we were wearing what we had "earned," but they did check that. They also discouraged decorating our caps, but some did it anyways.

I'm not sure what the reasoning is behind the restrictions, but I would imagine it has something to do with the above-mentioned attention whores. My university holds four ceremonies over the course of a weekend, so I'm sure they are eager to cut down on any potential "drama."

Drolefille · #15 05-22-2010, 08:57 PM

Unlike "perps" while people wearing cords that aren't theirs might be annoying, I don't see them as something worth kicking up a fuss over as another parent. If the administration wants to do something about it, great, but there's little benefit to stepping in and no real harm caused to others by the misrepresentation.