I am petitioning for Open University students to be allowed the option of wearing a Mortar Board hat for their graduation ceremonies.
The Academic Dress is a centuries-old classical tradition, comprising of a Mortar Board, Gown and Hood.
We are working just as hard as any other student at any other university in the world. In fact, students at the OU often choose to study through passion and personal determination. We get to graduate, but we would like to be recognized as graduates with full academic dress.
Please sign the petition if you think it is FAIR to allow students the option of wearing a Mortar Board hat during their actual graduation ceremony, not just for the posed photograph's that very few loved ones will see.
Many students feel disregarded as graduates when they do not get to wear the mortar board. As a fellow petitioner has stated "It is the cherry on top".
We have worked so hard - lets never give up. Strength in numbers!
*Please include your name when you sign as anonymous signatures may be disallowed at the end of the petition. Thank you*
Updates
August 29, 2012
I honestly did not think this would take off like it has when I first tapped it out on my phone. It feels like everyone is finally seeing that we really do want that traditional look because we earned it just like everyone else. Someone just sent me a message about their own ceremony and it honestly made my eyes a bit watery which is embarrassing but hey it is what it is.
Reached 100 supporters
August 29, 2012
33 Comments
Completely agree - my family are shocked and disappointed that as an OU student I am not allowed to wear a Mortar board during the Graduation ceremony.
The lack of a mortar board only reinforces stigma surrounding OU degrees as well as the common misconception that OU degrees are somehow ‘easier’ to complete and, once achieved, are less legitimate than brick uni degrees (I assure you this misconception is alive and kicking, not only within the general public perception but even some employers. We (graduates of the OU) deserve fair recognition and due credit, and something as central to graduations as the mortar board being missing serves (albeit falsely) as a visual representation or reflection that something is missing in terms of an OU degrees legitimacy.
I graduated in 1992 after brain damage in 1972 followed by 5 hospitals. My Student number is M1748813. Mine was an Arts degree with a Pass in Psychology. I want to get another degree majoring in Music WITH A MORTER BOARD. I have become a published author and a member of the Magic Circle. The OU got my brain limbered up again and the mortar board is a huger incentive. Tony Penelton
I think it's disgusting that OU students who, through challenging times, sometimes working full time and studying in every other spare moment, and paying full fees for the privilege, are not allowed to wear the full graduation dress at their ceremonies. This is I feel a display of inequality, it makes you feel your degree which in some cases you have worked harder to achieve is worth less than those gained through attending a university. I think graduates should at least have the choice. The actual wording of the OU is that you are not allowed to wear a mortar board at the ceremony, but may wear one for the photos!!! Reeks of inequality and singling out of OU students when they have to go up to collect their award and are not complete in formal dress. Something needs to change.
having been to one graduation for my BSc with the OU and hopefully very soon going for my MSc it would be nice to be able to wear a Mortarboard as it does just feel like your not quite there without one or the OU isn't good enough which I know is not true but it does give that impression to other people?
I can't believe the OU doesn't permit mortarboards during the graduation ceremony!! Crazy!
100% agree
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I am petitioning for Open University students to be allowed the option of wearing a Mortar Board hat for their graduation ceremonies.
The Academic Dress is a centuries-old classical tradition, comprising of a Mortar Board, Gown and Hood.
We are working just as hard as any other student at any other university in the world. In fact, students at the OU often choose to study through passion and personal determination. We get to graduate, but we would like to be recognized as graduates with full academic dress.
Please sign the petition if you think it is FAIR to allow students the option of wearing a Mortar Board hat during their actual graduation ceremony, not just for the posed photograph's that very few loved ones will see.
Many students feel disregarded as graduates when they do not get to wear the mortar board. As a fellow petitioner has stated "It is the cherry on top".
We have worked so hard - lets never give up. Strength in numbers!
*Please include your name when you sign as anonymous signatures may be disallowed at the end of the petition. Thank you*
Updates
August 29, 2012
I honestly did not think this would take off like it has when I first tapped it out on my phone. It feels like everyone is finally seeing that we really do want that traditional look because we earned it just like everyone else. Someone just sent me a message about their own ceremony and it honestly made my eyes a bit watery which is embarrassing but hey it is what it is.
Reached 100 supporters
August 29, 2012
33 Comments
The mortarboard should be allowed at Open University degree ceremonies as it is a key part for all students and their families who want photos and memories of this special day. These students have worked very hard for their degrees and want to follow the tradition not to be told we don't do this here for some ridiculous non-conforming reason!!
Completely agree - my family are shocked and disappointed that as an OU student I am not allowed to wear a Mortar board during the Graduation ceremony.
The lack of a mortar board only reinforces stigma surrounding OU degrees as well as the common misconception that OU degrees are somehow ‘easier’ to complete and, once achieved, are less legitimate than brick uni degrees (I assure you this misconception is alive and kicking, not only within the general public perception but even some employers. We (graduates of the OU) deserve fair recognition and due credit, and something as central to graduations as the mortar board being missing serves (albeit falsely) as a visual representation or reflection that something is missing in terms of an OU degrees legitimacy.
I graduated in 1992 after brain damage in 1972 followed by 5 hospitals. My Student number is M1748813. Mine was an Arts degree with a Pass in Psychology. I want to get another degree majoring in Music WITH A MORTER BOARD. I have become a published author and a member of the Magic Circle. The OU got my brain limbered up again and the mortar board is a huger incentive. Tony Penelton
I think it's disgusting that OU students who, through challenging times, sometimes working full time and studying in every other spare moment, and paying full fees for the privilege, are not allowed to wear the full graduation dress at their ceremonies. This is I feel a display of inequality, it makes you feel your degree which in some cases you have worked harder to achieve is worth less than those gained through attending a university. I think graduates should at least have the choice. The actual wording of the OU is that you are not allowed to wear a mortar board at the ceremony, but may wear one for the photos!!! Reeks of inequality and singling out of OU students when they have to go up to collect their award and are not complete in formal dress. Something needs to change.
having been to one graduation for my BSc with the OU and hopefully very soon going for my MSc it would be nice to be able to wear a Mortarboard as it does just feel like your not quite there without one or the OU isn't good enough which I know is not true but it does give that impression to other people?
I can't believe the OU doesn't permit mortarboards during the graduation ceremony!! Crazy!
100% agree
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The mortarboard should be allowed at Open University degree ceremonies as it is a key part for all students and their families who want photos and memories of this special day. These students have worked very hard for their degrees and want to follow the tradition not to be told we don't do this here for some ridiculous non-conforming reason!!