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Carpe Diem, Yes, But Avoid Stitches, Eh?

British university aims to curb dangerous mortarboard toss

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted May 28, 2008 3:20 PM CDT

(Newser) – It’s fun, it’s tradition—and it’s off-limits at one British institution. Cambridge's Anglia Ruskin University has asked graduates to refrain from the customary mortarboard-toss, arguing that it damages the hats and is dangerous beside, the Guardian reports, after a student needed stitches recently. Grads-to-be, perhaps predictably, derided the advice as “health and safety gone mad.”

"Throwing your hat into the air is part of the student experience," said the student union president. "Who is going to go round stopping it anyway—the hat police?"

President Bush watches the Class of 2008 throw their caps in the air during Greensburg High School graduation in Greensburg, Kan., Sunday, May 4, 2008.
President Bush watches the Class of 2008 throw their caps in the air during Greensburg High School graduation in Greensburg, Kan., Sunday, May 4, 2008.   (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Graduation Ceremony At Nanjing University
Graduation Ceremony At Nanjing University   (Getty Images)
Mortarboard-throwing is just too dangerous, argues Anglia Ruskin University.
Mortarboard-throwing is just too dangerous, argues Anglia Ruskin University.   (Shutterstock)
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