Your uni graduation is a pretty big deal: you’ve done the hard work, taken the naps, and finally snatched that degree.
The ceremony is a big part of the day, and for some, so is the cap and gown. There’s also the matter of throwing the cap in the air in triumph. It makes a statement; it says ‘I made it. I don’t know how but I did!’
Sadly it seems like the hat-toss is to be scrapped at one British University.
Student newspaper The Tab reports that the University of East Anglia is putting a stop to the grad rite-of-passage due to health and safety concerns.
A spokesperson for the university stated: “The decision to not have the traditional ‘hat throwing’ photo opportunity for all students this year follows a number of injuries over recent years to graduates hurt by falling mortarboards.”
In fairness, getting a mortarboard corner to the eye is probably not ideal – and it could be worse: they could be pointy hats, like at Hogwarts.
“This is an unacceptable risk and we want to ensure no student’s graduation day is ruined by the potential for avoidable injury,” the statement added.
Apparently, some gowns were also returned in shoddy condition following the hat-throwing. “[The ban] has been agreed by our academic dress suppliers who often receive back damaged mortarboards, and our photographers.”
Hilariously, students do have the option to mime throwing their (invisible hats) in the air and they will then be photoshopped onto the picture for an £8 fee.
Even the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) thinks the move is excessive. A spokesperson told ITV News:
“You’d think universities would study history and do a bit of research before repeating tired health and safety myths like this one….As far back as 2008, HSE made clear the law does not stop graduates having fun and celebrating their success in the time-honoured fashion.The chance of being injured by a flying mortar board is incredibly small and it’s over-the-top to impose an outright ban. We usually find the concern is actually about the hats being returned in good condition.”
The reaction to the news has been a mix of anger and amusement:
When did Universities in England become so pathetic? East Anglia University banning the throwing or mortarboards. Astonishingly ridiculous
— Philip Hamilton (@PhilipHamilton_) May 18, 2016
https://twitter.com/TheBrettLeppard/status/732830834416353284
https://twitter.com/elenacresci/status/732847718339612672
Is it April 1st? Just switched on @SkyNews – graduate ceremony of hurling of #MortarBoard banned by UEA on #Health&Safety…Good Grief
— Nick de Bois CBE (@nickdebois) May 18, 2016
