Putting the Pride on Sogang Graduates

Bachelor's and Master's Degree Regalia Renewal

As of February 2021, Sogang's bachelor's and master's degree candidates will be wearing newly designed regalia for their graduation. Though the offline award-granting ceremony was cancelled and replaced by celebrative videos to prevent COVID-19's spread, academic degree regalia are available for rentals by applying through the homepage. (▶For information on the survey on demanding rentals and returning bachelor's degree gowns, click here) Specific information on the distribution of the gowns, including schedules and places, will be given out in early February through the homepage. (For bachelor's degree candidates, see the 'Notice for Bachelors' posted on the Sogang University homepage; for master's degree candidates, see the relevant graduate school homepage.)

Sogang's traditional academic gowns with their simple black design and the university logo had been in use for over 20 years. On the occasion of its 60th anniversary, Sogang released a new design. In September 2019, the Task Force Team (TFT) for Academic Degree Gowns Improvement was formed, with 12 members from the heads of major departments and teams, and with the Executive Vice President as the TFT leader. In addition, five TFT staff members and two students (one undergraduate and one graduate student) were chosen for the screening committee for manufacturer candidates. Over several meetings, the TFT discussed how to create the gowns and designs, and, through Sogang University's official procurement process, a manufacturer was selected and production proceeded.

The new gowns reflect Sogang's characteristic school colors and logo. On the other hand, in full reflection of the basic nature of the graduate gowns, the design remains simple in order to fit as many students as possible.

▲ The new academic degree regalia to be worn as of February 2021

As for the new bachelor's degree gowns, the black robes have the addition of colored bands attached to the ends of the sleeves and on the chest, while the borderlines of these two different colors are in gold to match the university's colors. The master's degree gowns have velvet added to the basic materials of the bachelor's gowns. There are two velvet lines on the sleeves, as well, and the hoods are made in different colors to mark the relevant majors and departments. The caps have also been renewed, with the new caps showing black tassels on a square cap for bachelor's candidates and velvet bands and black tassels on octagonal caps for master's candidates.

Another advantage of the new regalia is the excellent fit. As the design is simple, focus was given to the liberated choice of materials: for maximized fit, the materials for high-density blouses are used for the gowns, offering excellent utility, fitness, breathability, and durability. The hood, which had been an inconvenient element of the former master's regalia, was renewed for the first time in its history. Considering the velvet band and the weight and friction of the hood, the new hoods are worn over the shoulders without the need to use pins or hooks.

▲ The new master’s degree regalia to be worn as of the degree awarding ceremony in February 2021

The graduation preparatory committee, consisting of undergraduate students, made comparisons among many samples in terms of pricing and designs, and the judging committee, with the chairman, proceeded with the screening. Even after the decision was made on the manufacturer, the committee continued proposing revisions on the detailed designs. Jeon Ga-eun (Department of Political Science, 2017), chairperson of the Graduation Preparation Committee, said, "All the diverse members of the committee – from the seniors awaiting their graduation to the freshmen and sophomore students – tried on the sample gowns and discussed how to improve them. We then passed on our opinions to the manufacturer with the message that the most important element was to ensure a design for everybody."

The manufactured gowns will be commissioned for storing and washing. In the past, the gowns were stored in the school warehouse, exposed to various issues from the lack of a thermo-hygrostat system or professional equipment. By reinforcing management, including sterilization, especially against COVID-19, students are able to rent clean gowns, while professional and continued management will ensure that the gowns are kept in the best conditions for long-term use. For this to be possible, there will be a small sum introduced for the rental fee (KRW 5,000 for bachelor's gowns and about KRW 10,000 for master's gowns).

Manager Kim Hyun-soo from the Office of HR and General Affairs, who supervised the renewal project as a TFT administrator, said, "Thinking back to my impression of the degree gowns back when I was an undergraduate, I wanted to do my best to provide proper gowns for the students through this project. The gown-wearing event is a time for students to wrap up their college years while taking their last photos from college. In this sense, I hope students in the new regalia will be able to form beautiful memories of college that they can cherish forever."