KEARNEY – The University of Nebraska at Kearney is adjusting its commencement attire policy to give graduates additional opportunities to celebrate their personal achievements, honors and student organizations.
Traditionally, UNK has highlighted academic achievement by limiting commencement medallions, stoles and cords to those associated with GPA and academic organizations.
Following a request from student government, UNK administration made the decision to expand commencement ornamentation to include additional academic honor societies, learning communities and officially recognized student organizations.
“The dialogue surrounding the adoption of items of organizational and cultural significance that was prompted by our students has provided a tremendous opportunity to reflect on commencement as a time of celebration and to represent the array of experiences that brought students to UNK and supported them in their intellectual growth and development as individuals,” said Charlie Bicak, senior vice chancellor for academic and student affairs.
Beginning with the upcoming spring commencement, students who are part of the Honors Program or graduate with Latin honors may wear approved medallions. Other student organizations may now wear approved cords or stoles granted to them by groups or departments, once approved by the Commencement Committee. UNK also offers military honor cords for veterans and active-duty service members.
The new commencement attire policy can be found here. For this semester only, faculty and staff advisers of UNK student organizations may apply for cord and stole approval for expedited review. Requests received by April 16 will have full consideration. In future semesters, applications must be received 90 days prior to commencement.
