Our Mission
At Mean Green Gowns for Grads, our mission is to support the academic accomplishments of our low-income and first-generation University of North Texas students by providing them with a free rental of graduation caps and gowns. We
understand that graduation is a significant milestone in our students' lives, and we want to ensure that financial constraints do not hinder their ability to participate in this important celebration.
The Mean Green Gowns for Grads program began with a generous donation of approximately one hundred gowns and has steadily expanded over time. We are grateful to Erin and Kyle Hogue, UNT alumni, for their gracious donation, which allowed us to establish a dedicated area for the gowns.
Funding plays a vital role in sustaining our program and ensuring its success. The We Mean Green Fund (WMGF) has played a crucial role in supporting our initiative. In 2021, they generously granted us $11,000, empowering us to successfully launch and maintain our project. Building on this support, we were grateful to receive an additional $8,000 from the WMGF in 2022. This funding has been instrumental in allowing us to expand our efforts, procure extra regalia, and facilitate professional wet cleaning—a sustainable, carbon-neutral alternative to conventional dry-cleaning methods.
Traditional graduation gowns are generally made of polyester, a petroleum-based fabric that does not biodegrade. These keepsake gowns are typically only worn once and then thrown away. Constructed with the same chemical compound used to make plastic water bottles, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the polyester gowns will not fully decompose once in those landfills. Research shows that it takes 450 years for plastic bottles to break down in landfills (LeBlanc, 2019).
At Mean Green Gowns for Grads, we are proud to promote environmental responsibility and social consciousness through our program. By offering free graduation caps and gowns to our students, we not only celebrate their academic achievements but also contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Graduates who participate in the program can temporarily borrow academic regalia free of cost from the Diamond Eagles Student Resource Center, increasing participation in graduation ceremonies while also reducing waste through the reuse of caps and gowns. Furthermore, graduates who do not participate in the program can donate their used gowns after their graduation ceremony, contributing to the reuse effort and ensuring no one is left behind.
We accept donations of gently used UNT caps and gowns, including the green ones that the university adopted in 2015, as well as gowns from the masters and doctoral programs. Together, we can ensure that every student can walk across the stage and celebrate their hard-earned academic success.
LeBlanc, R. (2019, October 29). The decomposition of waste in landfills. The Balance Small Business.https://www.liveabout.com/how-long-does-it-take-garbage-to-decompose-2878033
Application Process
Mean Green Gowns for Grads is a program designed to support first-generation college students, DACA students, historically underrepresented, and low-income students at the University of North Texas. If you fall under any of these categories, you might be eligible to apply for this program. The goal of Mean Green Gowns for Grads is to ease some of the financial hardships associated with graduation expenses, ensuring that all eligible students can participate in this significant academic celebration.
To apply for the Mean Green Gowns for Grads program, follow these steps:
- Access the application (Application for Fall 2023 will open October 23rd, 2023)
- Please refrain from contacting DESRC regarding the application link. The application link will be available on this page on October 23, 2023, at 9 am CST.
- Complete the application form with the necessary information and required details.
- The Diamond Eagles Student Resource Center will process your application and verify your eligibility.
- Once your application is approved, you will receive information on how to borrow your graduation caps and gowns free of cost from the Diamond Eagles Student Resource Center.
- As part of our sustainability efforts, graduates who do not participate in the program will have the option to donate their used gowns after their graduation ceremony, contributing to the reuse effort and ensuring no one is left behind.
Mean Green Gowns for Grads not only provides financial assistance but also promotes environmental responsibility by extending the life of caps and gowns through reuse. The program is made possible with the generous support of UNT alumni, monetary donations, and contributions from the We Mean Green Fund. By participating in this program, you not only celebrate your academic achievements but also become part of a more inclusive and sustainable future.
If you have any questions or need further assistance regarding the application process or the Mean Green Gowns for Grads program, feel free to contact the Diamond Eagles Student Resource Center at desresources@unt.edu or call 940-565-2648.
Donations & Support
Graduation is a significant milestone in the lives of many students, marking the culmination of their academic journey. However, not all students can afford the expenses associated with a cap and gown, preventing them from participating in this momentous occasion. To address this challenge and ensure that every student celebrates their accomplishments, the Division of Student Affairs at the University of North Texas (UNT) has launched the Mean Green Gowns for Grads program.
Mean Green Gowns for Grads is a thoughtful initiative aimed at supporting low-income and first-generation UNT students by providing them with a free rental of graduation caps and gowns. The program also extends its impact beyond financial assistance, embracing sustainability by reducing waste through the reuse of caps and gowns. By participating in Mean Green Gowns for Grads, eligible graduates not only receive support for their graduation but also contribute to a greener and more environmentally responsible commencement.
How You Can Help:
Donate Your Gown: If you are a UNT alum, you can make a meaningful impact by donating your green UNT graduation regalia. Your gown will be lent to current students who may not have the means to acquire one, ensuring that they get to experience the joy of walking across the stage and celebrating their academic achievements.
They can be dropped off at the following locations:
Crumley Hall – Diamond Eagles Student Resource Center
1621 W. Highland St.
Denton, TX 76201
Mailed to:
Mean Green Gowns for Grads
University of North Texas
1155 Union Circle #305008
Denton Texas 76203-5017
Do not have a gown to donate, but want to contribute? You can submit a monetary contribution to our program! Below is a breakdown of what your contribution would provide to students. (Note: your contribution will supply whatever is most needed at the time of donation and does not guarantee to purchase a specific item below.)
$11 cleans one gown using environmentally conscious practices
$52.50 is the equivalent of one bachelor’s package
$120.50 is the equivalent of one master’s package
$171.50 is the equivalent one MFA package
For questions, you can email desresources@unt.edu or call 940-565-2648.
