Every Harvard academic gown has an embroidered crow's foot near the yoke on each of the facings, double for earned degrees and triple for honorary. The color of the crow's feet designates the faculty conferring the degree. It is the hood that has the greatest degree of color and symbolism. A master's hood is three and one-half feet long, the doctor's is four feet, but both have a silk lining in the colors of the university conferring the degree. Harvard's Commencement is one of very few where students still play so prominent a role.
Students choose their own topics.
Now for the ceremony. As the president's division nears the Theatre, the Harvard Band stikes up a jubilant fanfare. When they have finished, the conferring of degrees begins. With exuberant support from the audience, the president acknowledges the candidates from the various faculties, who rise and stand in place. They will receive their diplomas later, at ceremonies in the Houses and graduate schools.