Cambridge bans kilts at graduation...

[macwilkin]

When I graduated from university, those of us with honour cords from honours societies in our field were not allowed to wear them; only honour cords from the university were allowed. I was very upset, since I had worked hard to get my honour cords in history from Phi Alpha Theta (history honours society).

I'm not much on "casual" clothing for formal ceremonies, such as jeans -- I think that there are some instances in life that should be shown respect by appearing presentable -- but a traditional kilt & day wear is hardly in the same catagory. The same with the uniform of the armed forces.

Cheers,

Todd

[Alan H]

There is a very large difference between BEING EQUAL and BEING THE SAME.

Who remembers the Newberry Award-winning childrens book, "A Wrinkle In Time"? At the crucial moment, the little girl that is the heroine of the story rescues her father by remembering that "equal" does not mean "the same".

I would recommend the book highly to the Cambridge Edutocracy.

[Jewddha]

Alan, I find it amusing that A Wrinkle in Time is considered a grade 5 or 6 novel here, along with many other books in the same vein, yet such morals are long gone by the time one becomes... say a dean

[g koch]

About time someone clamped down on all this thinly veiled cross-dressing!

[Declan Rowan]

Lol you could kinda tell I was wearing a kilt under my gown... mainly because I am rather tall and the gown was not, and so when I sat down, my knees were very exposed... but still, I could have technically been wearing shorts...

Anyone who is that uptight about clothing really needs to take a nice lie down for awhile until they realise that they do not run the world. My mother did that to me when I was three, perhaps the deans need to have someone remind them?

[bjcustard]

Free Republic is a chatter as well, if anyone cares...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1371273/posts

[Raphael]

This is not exactly the first attempt for the English to 'outlaw' the wearing of the kilt.

[Hamish]

English wankers...

hey steady on,we are not all the same.

Again, you beat me to it Phil! I am sorry but I take exception to Mr Custard's comment - regardless of how I feel about Cambridge's proposals! The tone and language are totally uncalled for.

[Geoduck]

I sat bolt upright yesterday as I was hitting the snooze button and heard this announcement... I don't see this happneing here in the States, but who knows what the future holds.

I have mixed emotions on this, though. I agree that formal ceremonies have their place, and some might see the kilt (incorrectly) as less then the garment that it is. I do have to agree though, that institutions CAN have thier own dress codes, and it is those people who choose to join them, that also choose to follow their rules.

Granted, I probably went to the most prgressive public college in the U.S., The Evergreen State College. I believe that at leaset 10% of graduates wear nothing under their robes; the kilt would probably be welcomed under those cercumstances.

If I had the academic credentials to attend Cambridge, the attire required at commencement would probably be the least of my concern, though. Wearing of the kilt on an everyday basis, would be enough for me.

[beerbecue]

Looks like Cambridge has backed down a bit ...

http://news.scotsman.com/education.cfm?id=325732005

"CAMBRIDGE University last night showed signs of backing down after banning students from wearing kilts to their graduation ceremonies.

The English university told male students they must only wear formal dress of a black morning suit and white bow tie.

But the interdict sparked fury among patriotic Scottish students, and the university has been inundated with e-mails from angry alumni demanding that the dress law be removed.

Yesterday, officials at the university admitted they were prepared to make exceptions for those who felt strongly about wearing their national dress."