The Cap & Gown Rental Project loaned 17 of its 20 caps and gowns in less than an hour when it opened on May 19. The rental period was intended to last until May 22, but ended early after all the graduation gear was rented out on May 20.
Hanita Dhillon, a third-year English student and chief of staff in the General Representative 1 office, said the speed at which caps and gowns were loaned shows the need for more financial resources on campus.
The Cap & Gown Rental Project, established last year, allows graduating students to rent donated graduation caps and gowns for free, instead of purchasing the items from the UCLA Store.
Manjot Singh, former Undergraduate Students Association Council General Representative 1, said the project aims to alleviate costs for graduating students who struggle financially. He said he worked with his office’s special projects committee to reach out to UCLA alumni online and distribute flyers on UCLA Alumni Day, asking for cap and gown donations.
“I think it’s a great way for alumni to leave a legacy here,” Singh said, “I know I would love to help out graduating students when I’m done.”
Currently, the project works on an honor code, which asks that students only rent out items if they cannot afford them otherwise, Singh said. Students are required to return the items before a chosen date, or they risk a fine of $45.
“We hope to work with the Dean of Students in future years to make sure that students renting caps and gowns actually can’t afford to buy them, and didn’t just forget to,” Singh said. The Dean of Students can verify if students who want to use this service are struggling financially, Singh added.
Dhillon said the office hopes to work more with the UCLA Alumni Association and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Janina Montero to have the Cap & Gown Rental Project officially recognized. The project aims to receive more donations in future years by advertising the project on the official commencement website, Singh said. The office will also collect caps and gowns following commencement day this year, Singh added.
Compiled by Amanda Wilcox, Bruin contributor.