Students at the University of East Anglia have taken to the internet to discuss their disappointment over the uni’s rules and regulations on where their graduation gowns can be worn on their special day.
The graduation ceremonies are taking place in a sectioned-off part of the university, which has been dubbed the ‘festival area’ during graduation season.
Students were left frustrated after finding out that they are unable to wear their hired gowns and mortarboards outside of this area. This means that they will not be able to take graduation pictures in their gowns anywhere else on campus, and with any other guests who aren’t able to get into the sectioned-off area.
Those affected by these regulations took to Twitter to express their upset over the situation, with one graduand writing: ‘@uniofeastanglia not allowing us to take photos by the lake after paying £85 for caps and gowns is actually disgraceful. especially after waiting 2 years.’
‘Considered not going’
One 22-year-old PGCE student told Eastern Daily Press: ‘I’m the first person in my family to graduate university and just wanted to be able to go down to the lake on campus and get some nice family photos. Photos in the sports hall just don’t have the same appeal and if I had known about the gown rule I would have greatly considered not going.’
The university issued a statement in response to student backlash, where they apologised for ‘any misunderstanding regarding the opportunity to take gowns and mortar boards outside the Festival Area.’
They explained that due to ‘additional Covid-19 restrictions’ and an increase in graduation ceremonies, gowns need to be returned before leaving the area in order to be professionally cleaned in time for future ceremonies.
‘We understand that there may be some disappointment but we hope that graduation will still be an exciting and special occasion for all our students, their families and guests and we’re looking forward to celebrating with them over the next two weeks,’ the statement read.
Mixed feelings
UEA wrote that they had seen ‘such a positive atmosphere on campus’ already, and mentioned that the festival area includes live music, local food and drink options, space to celebrate with guests, key university information including careers ‘and much more.’
However, not everybody was satisfied with this response, and one student tweeted: ‘This is really sad for students who have invited extended family. Can they not have pictures together?’