soapbox

(File this one away for next year, the year after that, or whenever.)

So, yesterday was the due date for the rental/purchase forms for doctoral cap/gown/hood stuff.  Why so early you ask?  Apparently the shipping takes a couple months (or at least, can take that long) and more importantly if Dartmouth makes a big order this early then they get free shipping, which I am told* is a savings of ~$1000.

The key point is that you have to sign up now and hand over the ca$h ($55 to rent, $500 to buy, and she said it goes up almost every year) without hope of refund if you don’t get the thesis defended and paperwork done by the witching hour of May 31st.  The Department Handbook is kinda vague about it, but it does say “let the office know a couple days before your defense” in order to get the proper paperwork going, and since you have to submit your thesis to the committee at least a week before the defense, you’d better actually finish the damn thing by mid-May if you want to walk.

Finally, Ruth made random comments about how hoods/gowns get pricier every year, and that even if you don’t buy one now, when you do buy one you should do so through Dartmouth since they are nicer and you may get a discount.  Also if you purchase the set as a student then Dartmouth pays for your hood.  Not sure that any of this matters but it’s worth passing along.

* all this info courtesy of Ruth Dube over in Wentworth, who was very helpful yesterday. Thanks!