One of the caps distinctive traits is the possibility of removing the top white crown, which in return reveals a black version of the cap's crown. This is due to the Icelandic tradition dictating that after an entire year as a graduate and after finishing a year of university education the student should remove the white cover-piece, signifying his or hers academic status as a university "student". This practice has its roots in the traditions concerning the black caps of the Danish students. During the year the cap is white, the student is known as á “"nýstúdent”" or new-student.