Graduate hat throwing ruled 'dangerous'

You can leave your hats on: Graduates may not toss their mortar boards

Students celebrating graduation have been told they can't follow the tradition of throwing their hats in the air because someone may get hurt.

Anglia Ruskin University, which has campuses in Cambridge and Chelmsford, Essex, said the corner of the mortar board may hit someone as it falls.

University officials are making the request in a statement on the university's website.

Alongside details about which robes students should wear at graduation ceremonies, the statement asks "graduands" not to throw their hats into the air.

"It is requested that graduands do not throw the hat up into the air," says the statement.

"This not only causes damage to the hats but it can also cause injury if the corner of the hat hits the graduand or others who may be nearby."

Frankie Whiffen, Anglia Ruskin Students' Union president, said: "I understand the university's concern but I think it's health and safety gone mad.

"People get injured putting their hands in vending machines but they don't ban vending machines."

He added: "It's very hard to monitor and regulate. What can be done if students ignore the rule and start throwing their hats into the air at graduation?

"It's tradition. Throwing your hat into the air is part of the student experience."

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This just shows the 'pussification' of the UK continuing unabated. What next, no crossing the street for fear of getting hit? No going outside for fear of sunburn?
WAKE UP GREAT BRITAIN. You're raising an entire generation of idiots.

- Anonymous, Nowhere, Hell

It was 27-years-ago this month that I graduated, we all tossed our hats in the air and the guy standing next to me got hit by a hat as it came down.
After only a couple of moments, he started looking a little unsteady on his feet and I then noticed blood starting to run down the back of his neck.
While the festivities kept going on, I helped the kid out of the auditorium and oddly enough ran into his doctor in the hallway.
So the danger is there, that can't be denied. On the other hand, when just taking your first steps out into the real world, you sometimes need to thin out the competition ahead of time or at least keep you eye on the hat!

- Jaxon, Dallas, TX USA

Re: Neil, Glasgow. Getting a bit touchy! Have you just realised you won't get far with your Humanities degree or something? I suppose there will always be openings for you at McDonalds or Burger King.

- Phil, Norfolk

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