Graduation Gowns Sustainability Project Under Way

NC State Poole College’s Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity, in collaboration with the college’s office of undergraduate programs, launched a sustainability project at the December 18, 2013 commencement ceremony at PNC Arena.

The project’s goal is to reduce graduation-related expenses for future students by encouraging the recycling of graduation gowns. The effort is aligned with Poole College’s Sustainability Initiative, which was launched in August 2013 to advance sustainability as a set of decision challenges balancing financial, social and environmental concerns.

“A graduation gown and associated academic regalia is used only once, and can cost up to $100, an expense that is a challenge for many of our students,” said Dr. Shannon Davis, associate dean for undergraduate programs in Poole College. “Through this project, the students will collect donated gowns after one graduation ceremony, have them cleaned, and then make them available for resale at a discounted price to future graduates,” she said.

Any proceeds from the resale effort will be used to support student engagement activities in the college. “We resell textbooks – why not graduation gowns?” Davis added. A test run at the December ceremony, when the campaign was first announced, yielded a dozen gowns from one collection station. Several other graduates announced intentions to donate their gowns following a day of post-graduation photos with their families.

Used graduation gowns – by recent and previous graduates – can be dropped off in the Poole College’s Office of Undergraduate Programs, 2150 Nelson Hall, throughout the year. The AKPsi membership had voted in fall 2013 to pilot the project at December commencement ceremonies.

Read more

Poole College students launch reuse-reycle graduation gowns effort