<p>When I last talked to my son a couple of days ago, he was complaining rather bitterly that graduates have been “strongly advised” to wear “business casual” attire underneath their caps and gowns. (Although I can’t imagine that they seriously expect the guys to wear jackets underneath.) His point being that nothing much is going to be visible (especially for someone as short as he is), so why in the world should he have to wear anything in particular? Why can’t he wear blue jeans? Etc.</p>
<p>^LOL What a class act! It’s The University of Chicago, not a public high in Flatbush. My recollection is that gowns are to be returned immediately after ceremonies. Often, one briefly meets classmates and their families after gowns are returned.</p>
<p>“I can’t imagine that they seriously expect the guys to wear jackets underneath.” If it is hot, then he should wear a necktie at least until he collects his jacket from you. However, this is unlikely. At minimum, he should wear a jacket and tie and no jeans. I wore a suit and tie both at Chicago and at Columbia.</p>
<p>At Columbia only the janitor was wearing at jacket without a tie. Everyone else wore both.
See [Columbia</a> janitor graduates with honours - YouTube](<a href=“Columbia janitor graduates with honours - YouTube”>Columbia janitor graduates with honours - YouTube)</p>
<p>Is your son a janitor?</p>
<p>The post above is a little silly. There are plenty of men wearing coats and ties, and women wearing the equivalent, but in this case “plenty” means maybe 10-20% of the graduates. And I’ll bet that’s the case at Columbia, too. Most of the graduates are wearing something comfortable and casual. Maybe things should be different, but that ship sailed somewhere around 1968.</p>
<p>I’ll use up at least half of my box of Kleenex and be just as proud even if they “streak” out of the stage after they graduate.</p>
<p>Not sure the pants matter, and in 70 degree heat (lucky you!) I can’t imagine anyone wanting to wear a jacket under those polyester gowns, but a shirt and tie sure look nice in the formal pictures they take as the graduates descend the stage with their diplomas. Just saying . . . As for the special seating, I guess they changed things this year, but last year they reserved seats for our whole party, not just wheelchair +1. Coincidentally we will be back in Chicago for a wedding next weekend. Looks like the weather will be more cooperative this year!</p>
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<p>The very fact that you asked that question shows who has class here and who doesn’t. </p>
<p>Also: If you were really such an expert, you’d know that the specific meaning of “business casual” for men is no ties! So if you wore one in the face of such instructions, people would assume that you were either illiterate or pretentious.</p>
<p>@DonnaL: See for yourself! [University</a> of Chicago 2010 Convocation Graduation Ceremony - YouTube](<a href=“University of Chicago 2010 Convocation Graduation Ceremony - YouTube”>University of Chicago 2010 Convocation Graduation Ceremony - YouTube)</p>
<p>Thanks, rhg3rd. I saw enough guys with open collars, no ties to satisfy me that my son will be just fine if he decides not to wear a tie. And I certainly saw no evidence of sport jackets under the caps and gowns!</p>
<p>Re rhg3rd’s video: While I certainly saw more ties than I would have expected, I note that the video includes a grand total of about 8 undergraduates – the three student marshals leading the parade, and other student marshals carrying the banners for the university’s professional schools. Every other student in the video was a professional school graduate, most of them from the law, medicine, business, and public policy schools. The video ended just before the Division of Social Sciences came before the camera, which (after its master’s degree recipients) would have included the first group of undergraduates without a formal role in the ceremony.</p>
<p>We enjoyed a wonderful 2012 Spring Convocation. Thanks for all the helpful hints. S2 took great pictures with a telephoto lens. No luck so far trying to get him to post some to the Convocation Facebook page.</p>