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[history grrrl]

I can relate. In fact, I'm even thinking of buying the regalia from my Ph.D.-granting institution, an Ivy I despised. I rented for graduation because I wasn't planning to be a prof and the purchasing price is absurd. But now here I am, a prof, and I'll need the stuff for commencement. I could go generic, but I actually want the Ivy garb. I'm not quite sure why; it seems so elitist. But I think it's because I'm proud of having survived that hellhole. I also think of it as a kind of respectful salute to my employer -- a way of saying, "Yeah, I went there, but I love being here."

However, I've been trying to contact the alumni people for about two months about regalia, and no one has bothered to respond to my (very polite) two emails and one phone message. Perhaps they've looked up my donor record...

[%sig%]

[Go for it!]

Good news: getting robes specific to your PhD granting institution has nothing to do with your alma mater.  

Go through your current institution's bookstore, where I assume people order regalia.  All you need do is tell them what type of degree (M.F.A., PhD, etc) in what field (uhhh, history?), and the school (Stanford looks so nice, I have a friend from there).  They will take it from there.  All is standardized.  All is easy.

I finally broke down & ordered a tam, which I'll pick up tomorrow. :)

OH.  To original poster: in spite of liking the spiffing up, I bought the cheapest get-up they had (~400, yes), and it looks fine.  No piping for me.  I wouldn't bother, unless you think it looks groovy.  No shame in that.  Most people don't do it where I am.

[Art Historian]

I'm ashamed to admit this, but...when I was trying to narrow down my choices for Ph.D. programs (between four schools), I actually went and looked at regalia to see who had the best looking robes.  It didn't really influence my decision, but still...I looked :)

[I bought piping]

I bought piping, because I will wear regalia often, I have a PhD (which means blue or black velvet panels on a black robe), and my degree-granting institution's colors were red & white.  I wanted more red in the robe, and I wanted the blue panel to stand off the black robe.  So I shelled out for piping (in for $500, might as well make it $700).  Sell a short piece to the Chronicle to cover the difference.

Every time we process, one or another shabbily-dressed colleague ends up admiring it.  Of course, they drive nicer cars, if I cared about that.

[%sig%]

[teacher]

Ah yes, history grrrl, you are right!

BTW, congrats on the new president of your university.  They have made a good choice.

[history grrrl]

Please don't say how you know -- at least, not on these forums -- but do tell me this: Is it because a) we know each other or know people in common, b) you are a skilled researcher, or c) I am too transparent?

I may have to disappear for a while and reemerge later on with a generic handle and fewer details in my stories.

[%sig%]

[ahem]

it was probably an educated guess, but now you've confirmed. You didn't have to do that.

[Mouse]

Wow, not only is faculty attendance at graduation "encouraged, but still optional" at my school, admin pays to rent our regalia and takes care of all the ordering details.  Something to be said for teaching at CCs, where we don't really have "real" graduation ceremonies and the faculty have nothing be proud of regarding their own alma maters!  (Just my little dig at the "CC vs. University profs thread from earlier.)

[anontoo]

If you happen to be in southern Ontario, DSR Harcourts in Toronto makes academic gowns. There used to be another place, but I can't remember the name. I've looked into it a couple of times for my partner, but it's hard to justify the expense. Is there more than 1 new president or is my place the only one? He's a really great guy (I just found out recently that all 4 siblings in his family are academics - how often does that happen? -  and his sister works down the hall from my partner. Small world, isn't it?)

[pooradjunct]

For those of you who are whining about spending the money to rent or buy a gown... you should be ashamed of yourselves.  You have a job in your field, benefits, and are certainly making a hell of a lot more than I am adjuncting.  If it's required or strongly encouraged, spend the money to rent or buy the darn thing and be proud to wear it.  I can tell you that I'd LOVE to have this problem.

To the original poster, think of it like any purchase that you're hoping to wear or use for a long time.  It's better to spend the money upfront to get the quality or style that you want, because you'll be getting a lot of use out of it.  If you enjoy the piping and want it, then get it!

[melba]

$400  is absurd!

Send me $200 and your measurements. I'll get out my sewing machine.

[Not melba]

send me your measurements and if they are appx 36-24-36 send me a naked picture and I will send you $200.

[teacher]

Lets just say I am a good researcher and used my powers of deduction. The 'president' guess was in order not to out where you are (I could have used geography but that would have been a dead give away to others). Many Canadian universities have new presidents this year. (I can think of at least 4 right at the moment).

I guess I will have to change my handle again, too.

[anontoo]

I realized last night that my partner's uni also has a new president - the installations were a week apart. oops. So maybe you're safe history grrrl.

[anonthree]

I am so sick of the continual whining of adjuncts.  No one is forcing you to work for crap pay.  In fact, one could argue that your willingness to work for said pay is just contributing to the problem...if you will work for peanuts, then the system will continue to offer you peanuts.  

You might also want to check your faulty argument.  Just because you, as an adjunct, don't have $400 to spare for a garment that you will wear only a few times a year doesn't automatically mean that someone with a t-t position DOES have $400 to spare.  It's a lot of money, no matter what your position.  I don't suppose you've given any thought to the fact that you, a lowly underpaid adjunct, still make more than much of the world's workforce.  You should be ashamed of yourself for complaining, what with your access to technology and the free time to respond to internet postings and all.  So get off your "poor me/shame on you!" high horse.