Graduation Stoles Stolen

Graduation season is upon us once again, as it is time to celebrate achievements, determination, and new paths forward. Looking into a sea of graduates, they typically are all wearing the same graduation gown, but some have donned additional accessories that highlight specific accomplishments during their academic journey: cords and stoles. Some universities have special traditions regarding their stoles — which many students use as an opportunity to showcase the most meaningful aspects of their education. Other students, like myself, have stoles that represent important parts of their identities — ones that have significantly contributed to their lives and are crucial to who they are today.

When I graduated college, I proudly wore two important stoles with my graduation gown: First-Gen Next Gen and Pan-Asian AAPI. As the first person in my family to go to college, my first-generation student stole reminded me of the importance of hard work and perseverance. Raised by Chinese immigrant parents and growing up in a majority-Chinese immigrant neighborhood, my AAPI stole represented the impact of my cultural heritage on my upbringing and life thus far, especially the people that I am connected to from my culture – my family, friends, and the larger AAPI community as a whole. While I grew tremendously and forged strong bonds with my community and peers, these two identities significantly defined who I was in college, and they continue to define who I am today and who I eventually will become. Receiving and wearing my stoles during graduation ceremonies offered me formal opportunities to proudly share my personal background with others, as well as an opportunity to learn and admire those who come from other backgrounds too.

Many students look forward to the day they receive their own affinity stoles, which happens at affinity graduations that are specially planned for students in different affinity groups to celebrate their identities. However, this year, my alma mater recently made a last-minute decision to cancel all affinity group celebrations. The administration will also no longer provide stoles or funding for stoles to students from affinity groups. These students will no longer be able to showcase their diverse stories during a time of celebration and cheer. I know how important it was for me to have my stoles — I can’t imagine taking that away from anyone.

A stole isn’t just a piece of fabric; it’s a visible symbol of perseverance and pride, that students achieved their successes despite hardships and barriers along the way. For many of my fellow AAPI community members, our AAPI stoles were of particular significance, especially in recent years with the rise of anti-Asian hate and the lawsuits regarding diversity in higher education. Throughout college, it was important for me to join and foster shared spaces to connect with peers from similar cultural backgrounds as me. Together, we bonded over stories, food recipes, and musical artists, offering a sense of home away from our families. Continuing that note, graduation was also a powerful moment where we all donned our stoles to celebrate each other, knowing that we have all overcome barriers to get to where we are now. A stole isn’t just a piece of fabric, no; it represents a community that is always there to welcome you and provide support, no matter where or who you are.

And how do I know that’s true? Because it is happening right now. Alumni from these affinity groups immediately jump-started fundraising efforts to support graduating students. Despite the lack of administrative funding, affinity group leaders have already guaranteed that each student will receive a stole, free of charge. Some groups are also planning their own independent affinity graduation ceremonies, so that students are still given their moment to shine. While I am frustrated with the situation, the overwhelmingly positive community response offers slight — but temporary — relief.

The Class of 2025 will celebrate their affinity identities at graduation. We must take action to ensure that the class of 2026, and onwards, will too.

Author: Tina Chen

Editor(s): Amelia P., Leandra S.

Image source: Joshua Hoehne, Unsplash