Commencement Traditions Academic Regalia Academic dress is believed to have originated at medieval British universities when those institutions were associated with the church. The hoods are a carryover from the times when monks wore them either as a head cover or as a shoulder cape sometimes used to collect alms. Gowns are usually designed according to the degree held by the wearer. Doctor's robes are often worn open and have velvet edging down the front and three velvet bars across each sleeve. The length of the hood and the width of its velvet border indicate the wearer's highest academic degree.
Colors designate the wearer's college or university and field of study.
The degree-granting institution is traditionally represented by the color of the hood's satin lining. Robe color and cap shape may also designate the college or university. At Smith's first commencement in 1879, caps and gowns were considered ill-suited to the pioneer spirit of the college. Over time, however, traditional academic regalia came into favor. By 1910, at President Burton's inauguration, the standard for faculty dress was black academic gowns.