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« Reply #30 on: January 28, 2008, 03:24:43 PM » |
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You people seem awfully self-centered (the ones who disdain ritual, that is.) With age, you will realize that rituals are important to human beings, especially the ones around you who are NOT you. Hooding is a "rite of passage", and only at graduation (I repeat ONLY!) will you find EVERYONE in a good mood--all smiles!. I walk every year and it's a special treat to hood a candidate or two--the one day a year I don't worry about my own convenience but attend because its the right thing to do, and give something back to the institution and the people who helped the graduate attain success.
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croaker
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« Reply #31 on: January 28, 2008, 03:34:42 PM » |
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Why is it self-centered to disdain a meaningless ritual? A graduate should be allowed to decide what rituals matter to them and which do not. I understand the need for professors to show up and honor the students that desire to go through the ceremony, but how does forcing students to dress up in archaic gowns "give back" to the university? Surely going through comprehensive exams and a dissertation defense should serve as a sufficient rite of passage.
Perhaps you should take more than "one day a year" to to stop worrying about your own convenience. There are plenty of other rituals you can take part in, should you choose.
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angel
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« Reply #32 on: January 28, 2008, 08:09:50 PM » |
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You people seem awfully self-centered (the ones who disdain ritual, that is.) With age, you will realize that rituals are important to human beings, especially the ones around you who are NOT you.
Yes, kindergarten class, remember that when you grow up you will realize how important rituals are to humanity. Always keep in mind that there are people around you who are human beings but who are NOT YOU. Hard to grasp, I know. |
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« Last Edit: January 28, 2008, 08:10:44 PM by angel »
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figee
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« Reply #33 on: January 28, 2008, 08:24:06 PM » |
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I went to my graduation, and my parents flew half way round the world to see it. It meant a great deal to all of us, and was a wonderful day. But then my family is also very big on rituals and events to get together as family. Given we meet for everyone's birthday for a meal, missing my graduation wasn't an option.
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"Eating at the Italian restaurant was a mistake." - student explaining how food poisoning was contracted while on fieldwork in Orissa.
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olive
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« Reply #34 on: January 28, 2008, 08:25:57 PM » |
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Goingcrazy, I know that Realfrancie already mentioned this somewhere, but is there any chance that you can find some sort of 'wiggle' room regarding when you finish your requirements, sign off, walk, and all? I know my university has some flexibility with this, for people who are nearly done, and if all but one of your committee members are happy with your progress, you might be able to get your writing/revisions done enough to still walk, even if you don't get your diploma til later. In all likelihood, I'll walk before being entirely done with my writing, which is fine with me. In any case, good luck with your writing (and re-gaining that momentum)! I actually started this post because I have been writing like mad to walk in May. I have one person on my committee that is probably going to prevent that from happening. Good luck to you all who get done in time to walk!
As for me, being hooded in front of my family was one of the main things keeping me going. Now, I my momentum has been so deflated that I am starting to not care.
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galactic_hedgehog
Procrastinating, Python-quoting, Blue Blazer-drinking, chocolate-chip cookie-eating, Pastafarian, Not So
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Posts: 18,564
Mind Ninja
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« Reply #35 on: January 29, 2008, 02:25:41 AM » |
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A Finnish guy I once knew used to have a video of his graduation on his webpage. They got to wear top hats and carry swords! If I ever need another PhD, I'm going to Finland!
Finland, Finland, Finland,
The country where I quite want to be,
Your mountains so lofty,
Your treetops so tall.
Finland, Finland, Finland.
Finland has it all.
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Your professors were probably afraid of your galactic genius and did everything they could (behind the scenes) to thwart your hedginess. Hedgie loves to read. |
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grasshopper
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« Reply #36 on: January 29, 2008, 07:50:02 AM » |
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You people seem awfully self-centered (the ones who disdain ritual, that is.) With age, you will realize that rituals are important to human beings, especially the ones around you who are NOT you. Hooding is a "rite of passage", and only at graduation (I repeat ONLY!) will you find EVERYONE in a good mood--all smiles!. I walk every year and it's a special treat to hood a candidate or two--the one day a year I don't worry about my own convenience but attend because its the right thing to do, and give something back to the institution and the people who helped the graduate attain success.
This is a very elementary understanding of ritual and rite of passage. We take most necessary rites of passage for granted. We barely even consider ignoring them. Getting married, for instance. Sure, people will personalize their weddings. Some will just get a justice of the peace to sign a certificate in front of a few family members or friends. But there's a ceremony of sorts involved, no matter how simple, to mark the transition from one stage of life, one role, to another. That some people are saying that this rite of passage does not matter to them speaks more about the rite of passage itself than about the people, wouldn't you say? |
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martina
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« Reply #37 on: January 30, 2008, 09:14:28 AM » |
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Sometimes ceremonies aren't for us, but are a gift to the people who love us. It's not that big a sacrifice. Just a thought.....
This ceremony, in addition to not being 'my cup of tea' is going to cost a couple of thousand dollars in overseas flights, accommodations, etc., as well as those I will then obligate my family to take (even within the same country), not to even mention, the dead-boring ceremony I will subject them to and the time I will have to take off...this is time and money that can be more wisely spent. I want my gifts to those I love to be what they would like - not what they feel obligated to be a part of.
BTW - this is unlikely an age-related issue "...those of you who distain ritual...with age will realize..." - not at my age.
I also don't worry about 'doing the right thing. Nobody can do the right thing all the time. If I do make an effort to do it some of the time, I'm ok with that.
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plantscience
Did you remember to water your plants?
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Posts: 165
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« Reply #38 on: January 30, 2008, 01:36:57 PM » |
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A Finnish guy I once knew used to have a video of his graduation on his webpage. They got to wear top hats and carry swords! If I ever need another PhD, I'm going to Finland!
Finland, Finland, Finland,
The country where I quite want to be,
Your mountains so lofty,
Your treetops so tall.
Finland, Finland, Finland.
Finland has it all.
Aren't the Finnish robes also trimmed with fur? I can't remember which country they were from, but some of the faculty at my PhD-granting ceremony wore the most beautiful robes that were lined with fur, beads, etc. They were gorgeous and really added to the ceremony. |
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Teaching growing techniques since 1991
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spectacle
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« Reply #39 on: January 30, 2008, 01:56:15 PM » |
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I didn't walk for my MA, but I will for my PhD. I think I'll deserve a little bit of ritual and regalia after all of this. My parents will not be invited. Because the thought of them in the same room with my advisor (or any of my committee members, really) makes me break out in hives. It's my Special Day and I deserve to not be anxious.
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I think this thread is going well. Don't you think this thread is going well?
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daurousseau
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« Reply #40 on: January 30, 2008, 02:04:25 PM » |
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If you get your Ph.D (not talking MD, PsyD, EdD, and all that), then you are presumed to be the world's expert in your exactly patch of knowledge. Putting on a robe and sitting around with a bunch of other people who have nothing but a robe in common--bit of an anti-climax, no? Gilding the lily?
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spectacle
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« Reply #41 on: January 30, 2008, 02:08:40 PM » |
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Putting on a robe and sitting around with a bunch of other people who have nothing but a robe in common--bit of an anti-climax, no? Gilding the lily?
Maybe, but I really want the outfit. Those robes are wicked cool. |
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I think this thread is going well. Don't you think this thread is going well?
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locutus
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« Reply #42 on: January 30, 2008, 03:36:07 PM » |
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It's not that rituals are bad. There's a difference between a shallow ritual and one with actual meaning to it. Take the comparison between hooding and the dissertation defense. It's clear to me that at least in my department that the defense (and the later party) is the real rite of passage. That's when people are congratulated, when thank yous are given and when all the people you've been working with for years are in one room. Just because it's not as "official" as the hooding ceremony doesn't mean it's less meaningful. I think concentrating on everyone going lockstep through some official ceremony with vague connections to what Oxford did in the 1200s is missing the point.
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Render unto Geedorah what is Geedorah's.
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belladonna
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« Reply #43 on: January 30, 2008, 03:49:33 PM » |
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I defended at the very end of summer. Then I went straight to my TT job. My diploma was mailed to me. I am considering flying back to my graduate school and get hooded at the end of this semester. I am fond of rituals and regalia. And it's a good excuse to fly back to a big city (I now live in a small town), visit the familiar old haunts, see friends. Organizing that trip would be a pain, though.
The funny thing is that I already wore doctoral robes, as a professor, to attend graduations here where I work.
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takapa
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« Reply #44 on: January 30, 2008, 04:03:34 PM » |
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My family couldn't make it to my graduation, but my best friend who was in another grad program half a continent away was thrilled about it and made the trip to see the thing. It was great. I was happy she was there, but when I saw how proud and excited she was, I realized just how important it was.
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