Anglia Ruskin University, in Cambridge, recently attempted to put a stop to mortarboard throwing. It’s a much-loved academic tradition that has fallen foul of health and safety concerns of late, as universities strive to prevent graduates flinging their mortarboards in the air. The instructions were sent out to students at the University of East Anglia (UAE) after the institution in Norwich reportedly said that a number of graduates had been hurt by falling hats in recent years. This is an unacceptable risk, and we want to ensure no student’s graduation day is ruined by the potential for avoidable injury.”The institution said the ban had been agreed by academic dress suppliers, which often received “damaged mortarboards” after graduations. Yet at one UK campus, a very 21th-century solution might now be at hand after students were told that images of the headwear will be digitally added afterwards if they simply mime the act when photographs are being taken.

Source: The Guardian May 17, 2016 17:47 UTC