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UWM doctoral graduates protest pricey commencement attire

Many people would agree that earning a PhD is hard work worth celebrating. But is a doctoral graduation gown worth $800?

At a time when the economy is rocky and jobs are harder to find, some University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee doctoral students are balking at the price tag of the regalia they’re supposed to wear to spring commencement – a fancy frock that is three times as expensive to rent as doctoral attire at UW-Madison.