Toss off · Issue 873, by Abigail Whittaker

A university has warned students to refrain from tossing their mortar board hats during graduation celebrations in the interest of safety.

In a statement on their website, Anglia Ruskin University gives advice on the graduation ceremonies and the required attire for graduates but make a specific effort to discourage the tradition of flinging hats into the air.

The information detailed that “this could not only cause damage to the hats but can also cause injury if the corner of the hat were to hit the graduand or others who may be nearby”.

The University, which has campuses in Cambridge and Chelmsford, has since defended the move highlighting that they have not banned hat-throwing.

A spokesperson said: “We have advised students to be careful since a student had to be hospitalised after he was struck on the head by a hat several years ago.”

The student in question received stitches but no other injuries of a similar nature have been recorded.

But President of Anglia Ruskin’s Students’ Union Frankie Wiffen emphasised that hat-throwing was part of the student experience.

She said: “I understand the University’s concern but I think it’s health and safety gone mad.

“What can be done if students start throwing their hats into the air at graduation? It’s tradition.”