Graduation

According to an article in The Scotsman, Cambridge University is being pressured to reconsider their ban on graduating students wearing kilts:

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.

A Cambridge University spokesman said: "These regulations have always been in place at the university but they were never enforced.

"Recently the number of people flouting and abusing the rules was becoming more prolific and extreme. If students feel strongly about the issue they can talk to the university and decisions will be made on an individual basis."

The kilt ban was sparked after university proctors — officials responsible for student discipline — complained about the variety of flamboyant clothing being worn to graduations.

Ye think they'd have learned from the last attempt to ban the kilt in the wake of the Rebellion of 1745!

Speaking of graduations (said he, switching topics), when did the idea of graduating from Grade 8 to high school become a formal occasion? My son is lobbying for a tux for his graduation later this month — I didn't think that would be an issue until Grade 12!