By Ischei Mcleod
At the end of every school year, students across America put on a cap and gown to mark their transition into adulthood. High school graduates walk across the stage, shake hands with school leaders, and ceremoniously toss their caps into the air.
Why is it customary for graduates to wear such specific attire? According to GraduationSource.com, the tradition of wearing caps and gowns started in Europe during the 12th and 13th centuries when the first universities were built. It’s believed students wore the gowns to stand out from the general public and to keep warm, since these schools were often religious institutions and held in cold buildings.
Even though this tradition began hundreds of years ago, it has now become a huge industry. A company named Jostens has become one of the top providers of graduation gear – and some believe it holds an unfair monopoly over the market. This private business has made millions off students trying to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime event.
At Ukiah High School, seniors are required to purchase their caps and gowns through Jostens. The minimum price students will pay is $55, though many spend more for packages with tassels, keepsakes, or custom gear. While similar-looking gowns can be found online for lower prices, some students in the past have found the colors didn’t match and were forced to borrow one from someone else.
For students unable to afford graduation attire, Ukiah High offers some support. The school’s Family Liaison Office provides assistance for homeless youth, and the Student Activities Office has purchased a number of extra caps and gowns that can be borrowed. However, sizes are limited, and students who borrow gowns aren’t allowed to decorate their caps – a tradition many seniors look forward to as a way to express themselves at graduation.
Jostens is far from a nonprofit. According to a 2015 New York Times article, the company made $740 million in revenue that year. A letter sent to the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2005 said Jostens brought in over $203 million from class rings alone in 2003.
While it’s unclear how many schools Jostens supplies, the company’s website says it serves “thousands” of schools across North America.
Senior Jada Sturges shared her opinion on the price of caps and gowns: “I think it’s unrealistic to pay $70 or over $100 for a package of something that I can get for probably $20 on Amazon.” She added, “I actually know a lot of people who have done that and are getting something just as good of quality as Jostens is offering.”
Another senior, Genica Holderman, also questioned the pricing. “I personally don’t think cap and gowns are reasonably priced,” she said. “Most families here in Ukiah are very low income.” Holderman added that she believes there are many in the senior class “not able to afford those” and the cost is “kind of unreasonable.”
Jostens has also faced controversy over its business practices. According to The Daily, the company once used prison labor to manufacture its caps and gowns, but moved production to Mexico in the 1990s. Over the years, Jostens has also been sued multiple times. One case involved a rival company, Balfour, accusing Jostens of trying to steal sales reps and confidential client information. Other lawsuits have alleged labor violations, including workers not being paid for activities required before their shifts.
Ukiah High News emailed Jostens requesting comment about concerns raised in this article but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
Ischei Mcleod was born and raised in Montego Bay, Jamaica. She recently relocated to live in Ukiah. The move was sudden for her but she’s trying her best to get comfortable. She decided to join the journalism class at Ukiah High School because she’s always been interested in writing and reading literature. Ischei is not a very outgoing person; she prefers to write to express her thoughts and feelings. She is really eager to learn about journalism and all its qualities. In the future she would like to travel and documentate on all the beautiful and unique sights, people and culture she comes across.
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