As the oldest university in the United States, Harvard University has a long tradition of academic dress. Harvard gown facings bear crow's-feet emblems, a symbol unique to Harvard, made from flat braid in colours distinctive of the wearer's qualification or degree. Crow's-feet are double for earned degrees, and triple for honorary degrees. Representation of a university class, 1350s. ... Harvard University (incorporated as The President and Fellows of Harvard College) is a private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. Founded in 1636,[2] Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning still operating in the United States. ... Academic dress or academical dress (also known in the United States as academic regalia) is traditional clothing worn specifically in academic settings. ...

History of Harvard academic dress

According to the Laws of Harvard College of 1807:

Every Candidate for either Degree shall attend the public procession, on Commencement Day, to and from the College. And every Candidate for a first degree shall be clothed in a black gown, or in a coat of blue grey, a dark blue, or a black color; and no one shall wear any silk nightgown, on said day, nor any gold or silver lace, cord, or edging upon his hat, waistcoat, or any other part of his clothing, in the College, or town of Cambridge. And any Candidate for his Degree, who shall neglect such attendance, without sufficient reason, to be allowed by the President, or shall be habited contrary to this regulation, shall not be admitted to his Degree that year.

Most universities in the United States follow a uniform code, first published in 1895. Harvard Academic Dress, however, is outside of this code, as the University chose not to participate in the Intercollegiate Commission on the matter in 1893.

In 1822, the crow's-feet emblem was adopted for undergraduates' dress.

In 1897 the Harvard Corporation suggested that all Harvard hoods be lined in crimson, however, due to the then presiding President Eliot's dislike of academic dress, this was in fact not adopted until 1902. 1897 (MDCCCXCVII) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... The President and Fellows of Harvard College (also known as the Harvard Corporation) is the more fundamental of Harvard Universitys two governing boards. ...

In 1955 the Harvard Doctoral gown was voted and approved by the Corporation.

Gowns

• First degree candidates or bachelors of arts or sciences wear a gown of black cloth, with facings of the same material cut in the bachelor's shape as described by the Intercollegiate Code.
• The master's gown is of the Intercollegiate Code master's pattern.
• The doctoral gown is crimson silk with facings continuing around the yoke, in black velvet. The sleeves are trimmed with three black velvet bars with pointed ends.

Hoods

All graduates' hoods are black lined with crimson silk, and are cut in the Edinburgh simple shape. Rank is indicated by the hood length: bachelor's hoods are 36", master's 42", and doctors 48". The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1582,[4] is a renowned centre for teaching and research in Edinburgh, Scotland. ...

Masters of Harvard Houses wear tippets embroidered with the House shield.

Under the Gown

Tradition holds that formal full dress, white tie, be worn under the gown, although in recent years, this is rarely observed among students. Queen Elizabeth II with Commonwealth Prime Ministers, in the 1950s. ...

In 1892, the first year gowns were worn to Class Day, the Class Day Commitee established that:

No senior will wear ribbons, badges or medals of any description on the gown. The cap will not be removed for the purpose of greeting acquaintances, but will be removed indoors. Black coats and waistcoats with white ties, and dark trousers will be worn under the gown. There must be no violation of this rule. The cap and gown will be retained in the evening, unless removed to facilitate dancing.

An acceptable variant was full formal dress, white tie, but without the coat, the gown being worn in its place.

When academic dress is worn

Academic dress at Harvard is most often worn at a Commencement. It is also worn on Class Day.

Tradition also held that Harvard College Seniors as well as members of the graduate schools of Harvard wear gowns after May 1. After the 1940s, this is no longer commonly observed.

In 1906, however, College Seniors, and graduate students of "other Cambridge departments of the University [were] especially urged to wear caps and gowns, as it is only in this way that many of these men will become known to other members of the class whose daily work has heretofore prevented acquaintanceship" as had been the custom for many years.

For Harvard University graduands, academic dress is required for admittance to the Commencement ceremony.

External links

• Harvard Commencement Guide to Academic Garb
• Harvard Magazine: Reading the Regalia, A guide to deciphering the academic dress code
• Harvard Magazine: These Festive Rites
• Harvard Crimson: Wearing of Caps and Gowns Begins Today (Tuesday, May 01, 1906)
• Harvard Crimson: Notice to Seniors (June 23, 1892)