FISHERS, Ind. – Students at Fishers High School started a petition encouraging the school to cut ties with its current graduation apparel provider.
With just 370 signatures short of its 2,500 goal, students gave three reasons why they want to stop using items from Herff Jones – the biggest issue named was price.
The Change.org petition called “Hamilton Southeastern Schools: End the Herropoly at Fishers High School” states the rental base package for Fishers 2017 graduates costs $67.95.
“More recently, the website has changed the total price to $78 - which becomes $103 after May 1st for ‘rush shipping.’ Students who did not purchase at least this package were not permitted to walk at graduation,” the petition read.
Students said similar graduation robes, caps and tassels could be purchased on sites such as Graduation Source and Amazon for about $20.
Other reasons students provided for wanting to discontinue business with Herff: "deceptive marketing techniques" and a claim of “sexist remarks made during the mandatory sales pitch,” according to the petition.
One comment on the petition’s webpage said, “I shouldn't have to participate in a business transaction to receive the diploma I have worked for and earned the last twelve years, let alone support a monopoly that has degraded my gender.”
Signatures will be delivered to Hamilton Southeastern Schools according to the petition.
