Graduation

Oxford is full of pomp and ceremony, no part of it less so than graduation, which takes place in latin. I’m not sure how other universities do it. The Oxford system has 3 parts. First, the proctors read out the names of each of the candidates who want to graduate. Then the proctors stride up and down the aisle between the deans of degrees who are sitting in front of the candidates. This is traditionally a tense moment as the deans of degrees have the power to refuse your degree. They haven’t actually used this power for a long time but it is nevertheless theirs and it’s nice when they nod acquiescence and allow you to graduate. This is all done in groups of hierarchy. First the doctorates, then the Dphils (if there’s a difference, which I’m not sure there is), then the MPhils, then the bachelors, so us, right at the bottom of the pile, a very cheering thought after 3 years of study. Then, you are called up to in front of the proctors and presented to them, in Latin. The ones higher upin the pecking order got presented individually but we were presented as a group. After a bit of latin, the appropriate response is “do fidem”, which I think means I will be faithful. You basically agree to abide by the tenants and laws of the University and not embarass it in pulic. You then leave the hall and change from your commoner’s gown into your graduate one with the ermine collar. My ermine collar was less ermine and more sheep. Some people got lucky with theirs, Phil’s was more like Polar Bear. You then wait outside and reenter to thunderous applause. You walk upto the proctor, bow and then you are a graduate.

After leaving for the last time we headed to the official photographers and did the traditional pose of mortarboard on head, scroll in hand, a la americane. We didn’t actually put on the mortarboard once during the ceremony, only for the photos afterwards, because it seems that that is what you do nowadays. Everyone has two photos, one smiling, holding the mortarboard and the other complete with scroll and wearing the mortarboard.

After the ceremony my ver rock’n'roll family, along with that of Tessa’s and Phil’s, head off to the Vault’s tea garden in St Mary’s church. With my brother (supposedly) in Albania, my parents and my aunt were my guests and were gasping for tea. I was also starving as I hadn’t had breakfast and also hadn’t really eaten much at lunch as I had been talking to friends and friends’ parents who I hadn’t seen for ages. The ceremony itself was ok but mainly for the parents and the highlight of my day was seeing Tessa and Phil. Hopefully I shall see Phil as well as Tessa when I go back for the ball. They won’t be attending the ball but it would be nice to see them during the day.

Oxford is full of pomp and ceremony, no part of it less so than graduation, which takes place in latin in the Sheldonian Theatre. I’m not sure how other universities do it. The Oxford system has 3 parts. First, the proctors read out the names of each of the candidates who want to graduate. Then the proctors stride up and down the aisle between the deans of degrees who are sitting in front of the candidates. This is traditionally a tense moment as the deans of degrees have the power to refuse your degree. They haven’t actually used this power for a long time but it is nevertheless theirs and it’s nice when they nod acquiescence and allow you to graduate. This is all done in groups of hierarchy. First the doctorates, then the Dphils (if there’s a difference I’m not sure what it is), then the MPhils, then the bachelors, so us, right at the bottom of the pile, a very cheering thought after 3 years of study. Then, you are called up to in front of the proctors and presented to them, in Latin. The ones higher upin the pecking order got presented individually but we were presented as a group. After a bit of latin, the appropriate response is “do fidem”, which I think means I will be faithful. You basically agree to abide by the tenants and laws of the University and not embarass it in pulic. You then leave the hall and change from your commoner’s gown into your graduate one with the ermine collar. My ermine collar was less ermine and more sheep. Some people got lucky with theirs, Phil’s was more like Polar Bear. You then wait outside and reenter to thunderous applause. You walk upto the proctor, bow and then you are a graduate.

After leaving for the last time we headed to the official photographers and did the traditional pose of mortarboard on head, scroll in hand, a la americane. We didn’t actually put on the mortarboard once during the ceremony, only for the photos afterwards, because it seems that that is what you do nowadays. Everyone has two photos, one smiling, holding the mortarboard and the other complete with scroll and wearing the mortarboard.

After the ceremony my very rock’n'roll family, along with Tessa’s and Phil’s, head off to the Vault’s tea garden in St Mary’s church. With my brother (supposedly) in Albania, my parents and my aunt were my guests and were gasping for tea. I was also starving as I hadn’t had breakfast and also hadn’t really eaten much at lunch as I had been talking to friends and friends’ parents who I hadn’t seen for ages. The ceremony itself was ok but mainly for the parents and the highlight of my day was seeing Tessa and Phil. Hopefully I shall see Phil as well as Tessa when I go back for the ball. They won’t be attending the ball but it would be nice to see them during the day.

Flying away to graduate

Tomorrow I fly home.

This is what I am doing in June.

Fly home 11 June, graduate 13th June, fly to France for 10 days from 14th until the 24th to visit Gran etc, fly back evening of 24th, ball 26th, fly back to Munich the 28th, work on the 29th.

It’s going to be a lovely relaxing holiday, or not.

I will try at some point to update this blog. So far this week I have been attempting unsuccessfully to book hostels in Croatia for August, this has been taking up a lot of time. Tonight I need to pack.