Cambridge bans kilts at graduation...

[Niblox]

This is a lunatic regulation. Not only is it going to prove unpopular with the students, it will make the university authorities very unpopular too.

The wearing of national dress is an opportunity for the graduate to show respect for the degree he or she is going to be awarded; it shows respect for the university; and above all, for the graduate themselves and all the hard work they have put in.

As long as they wear the gown and hood appropriate to their degree, then it does not matter what else they wear, as long as it is neat and tidy. I know a few graduates turn up in trainers and jeans, but these are in the distinct minority, and they are usually looked on by their fellow graduates as "letting the side down". If they can't get a clean white shirt, tie, and plain black trousers and shoes together, then they shouldn't be at the ceremony at all.

It sounds to me like political correctness gone not just mad, but stark, staring, raving bonkers! and this coming from minds as elevated as the praelectors of Cambridge University, the oldest one in England (just shows, age doesn't confer wisdom).

[Riverkilt]

Ahhh yes, I used to be in the tick of that stuff. Sold Caps and Gowns for E.R. Moore company for many years.

Universities do want that uniformity at graduation, its their one time of year to showcase academics.

Despite their efforts graduation is also a time of personal accomplishment and graduates have always, will always, find ways to stand out as the individuals they are.

When the faculty march at the head of the graduation procession they wear their different gowns and different colored hoods that denote where they individually recieved their degrees and what their degrees are. By looking at a faculty member's hood you can tell by the size of the hood the level of the degree. The width of the trim also tells the level of the degree. The color of the trim tells the academic field of the degree, and the center of the hood tells the university it was received from.

Many universities even have gowns unique to them that faculty from that university wear. Doctorate gowns are often trimmed with the color of the academic field the doctorate was granted in.

Bottom line, the faculty procession is a riot of color and very individual information about each professor.

No reason the graduates should be lined up like drones....other than one last effort at control.

Universities hate to give up control. Most don't even actually award the diploma at graduation ceremony. They pass out a blank diploma holder.

The diplomas are controlled by the administration who only give them up when they're sure all fees and fines are paid up by the graduate.

Control control control...with kilts being a freedom statement its no wonder they are not welcome.

Ron

[Graham]

Ron, if what you say applies to Cambridge, then the "equality" argument from the faculty is void.

There is nothing more "dignified" than a kilt in what ever circumstance.

[bjcustard]

English wankers...

hey steady on,we are not all the same.

Humble apologies for the generalization...

When I graduated from the U of Kansas, it was closer to Mardi Gras than conformity. People on roller skates... People with parade floats on their mortarboard... People wearing their gown over little else... Seems to me Cambridge has forgotten who the ceremony is for... but I digress.

Cambridge wankers...

[Declan Rowan]

lol we didnt even go up for our diplomas at graduation... that was a second, smaller event that was more assembly line than recognition. And yes, I wore my kilt to that as well, just to buck the tradition.

I wonder if this boils down to someone needed to put their name to something important sounding, and thought that this would be the ticket to ever-lasting fame, or else they had a situation where they felt uncomfortable (or inferior) because of someone challenging their reality with the non-conformity... Either way, someone's going to get a black mark on their name for awhile, especially with the non-conformist groups out there.

Call me crazy, but sometimes I wonder if conformists know that the rest of the world doesnt act like they do. Or are they kinda like zombies, just going around like everyone else in the crowd.. (I appologise for the random imagery, just saw Shaun of the Dead and now thinking of conformist zombies... wow, I need to lay off the caffeine or sugar or something...)

[bubba]

The student could always tell the school they have more important matters to attend to so won't be at the ceremony. If anything comes up call them at the pub

[Galant]

Clearly this is non-enforcable under the human rights act

Except that I'm not sure it applies. The students aren't forced to sign up to go to Cambridge. However, in choosing to do so they agree to abide by certain rules and practises, as outlined by Cambridge, that others who don't go to Cambridge may freely and without reprimand ignore.

Cambridge isn't violating human rights, it is simply exercising the right to set forth its own dress code and rules for membership with and participation in the life of the University.

As far as I can tell there's three options. First, bring about change from the inside. Petition, complain, do what one can as a member of the University and effect a change. That wont help this graduating class though.

Second, don't attend graduation and then wear your kilt. You'll get to wear it, but wont be there. I suppose that option is a form of the above.

Third, don't go to Cambridge.

[highlander_Daz]

If it was a term and condition of entry to the university that you wear X on graduation day a kind of blanket rule , then I beleive they could enforce the rule, however by exempting Religious garb they are clearly discriminating against people who are not religious but choose to be patriots, I would simply turn up in a kilt in Blue clergy tartan (worn by religious clerics) or start a quasi religious cult - grand church of the kilted tartan worshiper, I think this a line in the sand, I can understand an army needing to enforce uniform rules like this but not some stuck up university churning out overprivilaged walking encyclopedias who are clearly being brainwashed to accept rules and dictats without quibble -very unhealthy .
as offensive is the banning of military uniforms -you can wear it to fight and die for your country but not to get an empty toilet roll holder come on !!!

Chan ann leis a’chiad bhuille thuiteas a’chraobh

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I wore my kilt to my college graduation... of course no one noticed under my cap and gown.

This is ridiculous. I understand the requirement to wear a cap and gown. This is a special ceremony, these are the ceremonial garments, and if you want to participate in this ceremony, you wear the proper garments. It is only fitting.

But why try and regulate what you wear under the thing? No one can tell anyway unless the university wanted to employ someone to go a-looking under the gown of each student.

Matt

[Magnus Sporrano]

I ran into this same story independently and posted it under the Kilts In The Media forum since I didn't already see it there.

In any case, I think this is very dangerous thinking for the Cambridge administrators. Our world is already too homogenized. Fears of European nations losing their local cultural identities were well-founded after all. Cambridge is setting the tone for the world leaders of tomorrow.

Shame on them. :x