Graduate while going green


winter commencement 2015

As you walk across the graduation stage this semester, think green. As in, going green. Perhaps sustainability and reducing your carbon footprint seemed very far from commencement, but, sustainability is part of FIU’s daily life, even during graduation.

Since 2011, FIU graduates have been wearing eco-friendly commencement gowns. Today, about 29 plastic bottles are saved from the landfill per gown.

“This is great for FIU,” says Office of Sustainability Manager Alexandra Dutton ’09, MBA ’15. “It’s a message and a learning opportunity for students. I was a student that graduated recently, and as a student I would feel good knowing that my university is trying to make a difference in the world, trying to make a better future. And that my university is living up to its values of sustainability and carrying it out in every aspect.”

In 2007, FIU committed itself to reducing its carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions by signing the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). Numerous initiatives across the university have sprung up to meet that goal.

Environmental buffs are happy to see that each Herff Jones gown, which is made of 100% recyclable material, also saves the equivalent of half a gallon of gas in energy. The gowns use 2.1 liters less water than non-recyclable gowns and they help decrease the effects of global warming through 1.5 pounds fewer carbon dioxide emissions or greenhouse gas, which speaks directly to the ACUPCC.

Senior communication arts major Ashley Perez, who graduates this semester and will begin her master’s degree in environmental policy and management at FIU next fall, says she’s happy plastic bottles are  being used for something that means so much to the FIU community – graduation gowns.

panther graduation winter 2015 “Knowing that what I’m wearing is what I work for every day,” she says. “Putting that [gown] on gives me more power and represents everything I’m passionate about. We’re implementing that saying ‘Worlds Ahead’ by doing this.”

Herff Jones College Specialist Debbie McInerney says that while universities are moving toward sustainable graduation gowns, there are still many that haven’t answered the call for increased sustainability.

“FIU is one of the universities that is out at the forefront [of sustainability],” she says. She adds that, considering FIU’s size, the environmental impact of wearing sustainable gowns is exponential.

Over 4,000 students are registered to attend commencement ceremonies this spring, and between the last three semesters – summer and fall of 2015 and this spring 2016 – more than 13,300 FIU students will have graduated.

Thanks to recycled commencement gowns, FIU graduates can do their part just by walking across the stage in their caps and gowns.