So We Don't Wear the Mortar Board?

Today was matriculation for all Oxford University students, so there was a lot of pomp and circumstance. Part of the deal with Oxford is tons of ancient rituals, of which this is the oldest. Every new student had to go to the Sheldonian Theatre this morning to stand in line for a bit:

After waiting around, we were ushered in the Theatre and had to wait for the vice-chancellor of the University came in to speak to us. This speech was at firs tin Latin (of course) and then he gave a short talk to all the students about the importance of the day, how we needed to uphold the honour and academic standards of the University, and how we needed to respect everyone no matter what they believed or practiced. Fine.

After the ceremony (which lasted about ten minutes in total once it got started) we all went out to the local pub for some bacon and drink. I think the best part of the whole thing was getting to play dress up. We all had to wear these black semi-coats over a black suit with a white bow-tie and carry a mortar board. That's right, you must carry the mortar board, you are not allowed to wear it for three years until we graduate. Now the best part is that each May and September when we take our exams, we have to dress up again in the Oxford uniform, plus we get to carry the mortar board around. Why are we carrying the thing if we are not wearing it? Well that's tradition for you, I guess. It is pretty cool though to me a member of Oxford University now, even if it entails wearing silly things. This coming from a guy who will be wearing a cossack/dress for the rest of my life when I am ordained. And one more picture from the ceremony:

The five Americans at Wycliffe Hall this year: Erik, me, Borck, Pat, and Chris. Go free market capitalism! Now back to writing an essay on the causes and consequences of the exile of Judah. Very interesting.