Academic Dress Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to describe the requirements for wearing academic dress at CIT graduation ceremonies and special graduations.

2. Scope

Where this policy refers to CIT, it includes CIT Solutions.

This policy covers all students who have successfully completed a CIT course and have been formally invited to attend a CIT graduation ceremony to receive their award, CIT staff and official guests of CIT invited to participate in the proceedings of a graduation ceremony.

This Policy does not apply to:

• College or Department end of semester/year functions that include the recognition of achievement or non-accredited training.

3. Principles

3.1 CIT Graduands and CIT staff involved in the formal aspects of formal CIT graduation ceremonies are to wear academic dress in line with CIT Academic Dress Protocols or in line with the protocols of the institution from which they graduated to reflect academic status.

3.2 CIT Graduands and CIT staff involved in the formal aspects of special graduations are required to wear academic dress in line with CIT Academic Dress Protocols or in line with the protocols of the institution from which they graduated to reflect academic status if the awards being conferred are Category 2 awards (Diploma level or higher).

3.3 CIT Graduands and CIT staff involved in the formal aspects of special graduations are not required to wear academic dress but may choose to in line with CIT Academic Dress Protocols or in line with the protocols of the institution from which they graduated to reflect academic status if the awards being conferred are Category 1 awards (Certificate IV level or below).

3.4 Official guests of CIT involved in the formal aspects of CIT graduation ceremonies or special graduations may wear academic dress, but this is not compulsory.

3.5 If a person holds more than one academic qualification, he or she may wear only one hood/stole at a time (usually the higher degree). The hood should be appropriate to the gown.

3.6 Academic dress indicates a single qualification from a single institution and protocols must not be mixed.

3.7 At CIT graduation ceremonies where qualifications are conferred, CIT graduands are to wear academic dress in keeping with the qualification to be conferred.

3.8 A person may only wear the academic dress that they are entitled to in line with the protocols of the institution from which they graduated.

3.9 No individual piece of academic dress may be worn in isolation; whole academic dress must be worn in line with CIT Academic Dress Protocols or in line with the protocols of the institution from which a person graduated to reflect academic status.

3.10 CIT Graduands attending a CIT graduation ceremony must pay the hire charge for academic dress as approved by the Chief Executive prior to being issued with academic dress. Financial assistance to cover the cost of robing for individuals suffering from financial hardship can be requested by the graduand from Student Support or CITSA.

3.1 Permissible Exceptions:

1. No Academic dress is to be worn if:
   • Members of religious orders wear their customary habits.
   • Military, Police, Fire Brigade, Corrective Services personnel wear their formal dress uniforms.
   • All other graduates not wanting to wear academic dress to formal CIT Graduation Ceremonies must seek approval from Student Experience Lead and Academic Registrar in writing at least 5 working days prior to the ceremony, and will be considered on a case by case basis.
     • Cultural requirements preventing the wearing of Academic dress will be considered.
     • Conscientious objections based on religious, moral or ethical grounds will be considered.
2. CIT graduands, CIT Staff and official guests of CIT involved in the formal aspects of a CIT graduation who are Indigenous Australians may choose to wear an indigenous stole in addition to their academic dress in line with CIT Academic Dress Protocols or in line with the protocols of the institution from which they graduated.
3. CIT staff who are performing duties on stage during CIT graduation ceremonies must wear a black academic gown, no stole or hood is to be worn.
4. Prize/Medal winners attending a graduation ceremony only to receive their prize/medal must wear academic dress in line with the qualification that they have graduated from; if they have not yet graduated or have completed a program that is not a category 2 program a black gown with no stole or hood is to be worn.
5. Performers involved in the formal aspects of CIT graduation ceremonies may wear a black gown, no stole or hood is to be worn.

4. Documentation

4.1 Related Legislation/Regulation

No related legislation/regulation.·

4.2 Related Policy and Procedures

• Academic Advice and Issuance Certification Policy
• Guidelines and request for Special Graduation Form
• CIT Academic Dress Protocols

4.3 Related Documents

• Guidelines and request for Special Graduation Form
• CIT Academic Dress Protocols

5. Definitions

All terminology used in this policy is consistent with definitions in the CIT Definition of Terms.

6. Policy Contact Officer

For more information about this policy contact Executive Director, Education Futures and Students.

Contact CIT Student Services on (02) 6207 3188 or email infoline@cit.edu.au for further information.

7. Procedures

Nil.