OUR VIEW: New gown policy great for grads

“Pomp and Circumstance” is getting a little bit easier.

This year, for the first time, caps and gowns will be for sale in the Utah State University Bookstore in the Taggart Student Center.

Changes to the process of getting students decked out to cross the podium to be recognized by their peers will save students two trips – one to the Spectrum to pick up the graduation regalia and one to take it back when they are done.

This is because, instead of renting out the gowns, for only $1.99 more students will actually own the outfit and won’t have to return it.

Students who wish to use their cap and gown in graduation pictures will now be able to arrange an appointment with a photographer at their own leisure. They will be able to wear the cap and gown when and where they want to.

Of course, keeping the cap and gown will cause some to wonder – what now? What do I do with this when I’m done?

Perhaps students will be able to sell them online at a discounted rate, much like the online book exchange that saves students money every semester.

For students with a recycling tendency, the gown could be made into a throw rug, a baby blanket, a tablecloth or a Christmas tree skirt.

We trust that students who have managed to earn a degree at an institution of higher education will certainly be creative enough to invent some use for that silly looking cap.