As members of the Class of 2002 proceed through FitzRandolph Gate during Commencement in June, many will wear the patriotic colors of the American flag.
In commemoration of Sept. 11, each senior has been given the option of adorning a jacket sleeve with red, white and blue as a symbol of national pride.
Chair of the senior class jacket committee Brandon Hall '02 said he supported the decision.
"I actually think that having something that serves notice of Sept. 11 is a good idea," he said. "I personally have it on my jacket."
Hall acknowledged, however, that not everyone supports the idea.
Complaints arose from a number of seniors, including some international students and others, who said they prefer not to have Sept. 11 define their Princeton careers.
Class representatives said they found the arguments against using the ribbon convincing, which prompted their decision to make the ribbon an optional accessory.
"We wanted to make sure that every voice was heard," senior class president Spence Miller '02 said.
"In the spirit of America, I'd give people the freedom to choose."
About 60 percent of the class chose to include the ribbon.
This year's jacket was designed by Rebekah Wagner '02, who decided to create and send in a submission only after a last-minute reminder of the deadline.
Wagner spent that night toying with several designs and after conferring with her roommates, submitted it the next morning.
"I really like it because it's simple," she said. "It's a little more classy, but at the same time a little bit fun."
Of the 33 designs submitted, Wagner's was chosen through an online vote of the senior class.
The winning design touts the University's tiger mascot, intertwined with the University colors orange and black and the graduating year.
"I think it's really well done," Hall said. "It captures the essence of Princeton in going into the new millennium."
Wagner included the ribbon in her original design.
"Every person in this nation has been affected by the tragedy of Sept. 11, and I think it is because we realized how privileged we are to live in America and how proud we are to be American," she said.
But Wagner also acknowledged that not all her classmates would share her sentiments.
She said the optional ribbon and lack of uniformity among beer jackets will not divide the class, as feared by some seniors.
Rather, Wagner said, the distinctive tradition of this year's jackets would bring unity to the class during reunions, class day and graduation.
"I wanted [the ribbon] to be a reminder of how blessed we've been in this nation," she said, "and for people to be proud of that as well."
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