Dress-down Wadham
Wadham students voted against compulsory sub-fusc for exams last Sunday in a bid to change University regulations on exam wear.
The Wadham Student Union listened to a motion at Sunday's meeting which proposed to make the wearing of sub fusc for examinations optional, but retaining the traditional for ceremonial purposes.
The motion was proposed by OUSU/NUS representative James Lazou, with the intention of bringing it to the next meeting of OUSU council on Friday, if it went through. Finally the motion was passed, although only by a slight majority.
It was two-fold in nature: on one hand the motion addressed an access issue, stating that a provision should be made to provide students with cheaper gowns.
On the other hand an issue of students' rights was highlighted. Lazou argued that "exams are uncomfortable enough as it is, sub fusc is fair enough for official ceremonies like matriculation, but students do not need any added pressure during their exams."
Cambridge abolished the wearing of sub fusc (Latin for 'sombre or dark clothing') some years ago. However, many Oxford colleges continue wear the traditional dress for a number of college activities, although it is no longer obligatory for lectures, library and official University events.
Christ Church and Keble are obliged to wear sub fusc every night for formal hall, and it is often obligatory for Collections as well as the usual regualtions for formal examinations.
In February of this year, St. Hughs JCR discussed a motion proposing to make the wearing of sub fusc mandatory for all future JCR meetings. It does not appear to have been implemented.
17th Oct 2002