MILWAUKEE, April 14 (UPI) -- Doctoral students at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee say they shouldn't have to pay $765 to buy or $138 to rent commencement ceremony gowns.
With the cost of education so high and the economy reeling, the Ph.D. students contend it's too much for the university to ask of students who wish to attend the spring ceremony, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Tuesday.
The $138 rental price is three times the cost of similar doctoral graduation regalia at UW's Madison, Wis., campus, the newspaper reported.
"We have already paid years of tuition, fees, books and other expenses," said political science doctoral student Carrie Cihasky. "It's a slap in the face to have to pay so much more during these economic times."
UWM Provost Rita Cheng said the school switched to the pricier, custom-made gowns in 2006 because of a decision by an administrator who has since left the university, telling the Journal Sentinel that because of student complaints, starting next year the school will charge $58 to rent or $584 to purchase the garments.
