Abbreviations of certificates awarded by New Zealand universities
Specifications for individual universities, polytechnics and other institutions of higher education
The terminology used by the various institutions are not consistent, and some are not even consistent with their own earlier ordinances. All have been rendered into consistent terminology, for ease of comparison. Where the terminology used here differs from that used in official publications, there is no suggestion that the system used here is necessarily more acceptable, for there cannot be a correct system. However, there are certain standard features to bear in mind, especially when the hood is described, and a consistent system is necessary for ease of comprehension.
All colour references are to the British Colour Council Dictionary of Colour Standards (first published 1934, 2nd ed 1951). For example, BCC 144 is gold. Where no British Colour Council reference is given, the colour is not included in the guide, or the institution concerned has not based their colour-scheme on the Dictionary. The Pantone Matching Scheme is used by the Auckland University of Technology (PMS). Regrettably, most universities are lax with respect to colours, so that uniformity is rarely preserved.
The lining is that material which constitutes the inside of the hood.
The material of which the hood is made, usually black stuff, is the outside.
Fur or silk (or in the case of Otago honours baccalaureates, white grosgrain), is normally used to form a border on the inside edge of the cowl.
Where the border on the inside edge of the cowl is inset slightly, so as to show part of the lining on the outer edge of the interior of the cowl, it is known as the trimming.
A material which is used as a strip on the outside edge of the cowl of a hood (and perhaps also around the cape) is said to be the edging.
A narrow strip overlapping both the inside and the outside of the cowl, so as to form an edge to the cowl, is the binding, in which case the cowl is said to be bound.
Some hoods have a coloured cord or very narrow ribbon at the junction of two other materials. This is the piping.
Some gowns have facings of a colour different from that of the rest of the gown, especially the higher degrees. Where no colour is given it is assumed to be black stuff.