Graduation Gown Hire Service Wraps Up Busy Year at University

The academic dress hire service at the University of Otago has successfully concluded a bustling graduation season, managing over 2,000 gowns for multiple ceremonies throughout December. Dr. Jules Gross, the gown room manager for Graduate Women Otago, described the week leading up to the events as a hectic period for the team responsible for distributing and collecting academic regalia.

Managing the Rush of Graduations

With two graduation ceremonies held on December 6, 2023, followed by additional events the following week, staff members worked diligently to ensure that the gown rental process ran smoothly. Dr. Gross noted that the team has perfected the logistics of handing out regalia, collecting it back, and preparing it for future use. Most gowns returned in good condition, but some presented unique challenges.

“Depending on where people have been for dinner, if they’ve still been wearing their hood, you can get some rather exotic food smells,” Dr. Gross explained. “We also encounter beer smells and heavy perfume. December tends to be warm, and wearing a black gown in the heat can be quite uncomfortable.” Any gowns that did not meet cleanliness standards underwent a “sniff test,” and those deemed unsuitable could remain out of circulation for several months.

A Dedicated Team and Community Support

The team, described by Dr. Gross as “a small army of staff,” undertook spot cleaning, steam cleaning, ironing, and minor repairs. Despite the challenges, she emphasized that very few gowns suffered damage, as most graduates treated them with care. “It’s not good to dry clean them,” she said, “so during the summer break, we’ll gently wash them in the machine.”

To facilitate the return of gowns, the team employed a multi-text system, sending reminders to those who failed to return their regalia on time. “We’ve only had two missing out of the 1,500 hired from the last two graduations,” Dr. Gross stated. This level of organization reflects the commitment of the team to ensure a seamless experience for graduates and their families.

Despite the occasional need for “sniff tests,” Dr. Gross finds joy in witnessing the excitement of graduates. “The excitement on their faces when they come in to get their regalia is really rewarding,” she remarked. Many graduates express mixed feelings, especially when they enter the gown room with comments like, “Mum’s making me graduate.” Yet, once dressed in their gowns, their pride becomes evident.

When asked about the return of regalia the following day, often accompanied by a hangover, Dr. Gross chuckled, “No, I don’t feel sorry for them. We often get a lot of mums and dads returning regalia the day after.” This light-hearted comment underlines the celebratory atmosphere surrounding the graduation events.

Importantly, the academic dress hire service operates as a charity, with all proceeds directed towards scholarships and grants for the community. As the academic year wraps up, Dr. Gross and her team can look forward to a brief respite before the next graduation, scheduled for May 2024.