2011 Project365 (day174)

Date: 23 June 2011 20:01:32

I have enjoyed today's photo - I didn't think this day was ever coming! Today I finally graduated, and was very proud to do so. I had a lovely day, my parents arrived last night and now their 21 year wait for a photo on the sideboard of me graduated is finally nearly over (I haven't attended any of my previous four graduations). It's been a long day - I had to get in early to register and pick up my tickets and robes, and then head over to my department where I was picking up spare tickets from one of the Masters students whose family had to be elsewhere today (what bad luck to have your brother graduate his PhD at another university in another country the same day as your own graduation. I have promised him if I ever meet his brother I shall kick him in the shins). After that I met up with HD and my mum and dad, posed for photos (including this one) then had to hang around with the other PhDs graduating this morning (there were 8 of us). Eventually we were allowed in, after some formalities (including singing the university song, Gaudeamus Igitur or somesuch) and the bestowing of an honorary doctorate on someone I must confess I'd never heard of, it was our turn. They did the PhDs first, so at least we got it over with. I was feeling quite sad and angry (people who read my facebook last night will know about that already) - last night I heard that the university Court (the senior management) had overridden the recommendation of the Senate (who should have the final say in academic matters) and have said they will be closing down the Slavonics department in 2012 (there's some information in this article in the Herald today). I am really sad and very angry about this decision - the partnership my own department has with Slavonics, with nearly all of our postgrads getting language training and more besides from staff in Slavonics, is a really important part of departmental life, and the quality of research outputs from our department is in my view undoubtedly enhanced by the close links with Slavonics. So, when it was my turn to be given my hood while the Principal muttered something or other in latin and bopped me on the head with the silly hat, I couldn't bring myself to shake his offered hand. I think I was the only person to do this (it was a bit hard to see as we were right at the front where those waiting in line to go onto the stage were standing) which is very disappointing. This Principal has done untold damage to the university and the sooner he goes the better. I don't suppose this does my chances of getting a job at Glasgow much good (as there were only 8 of us it would be easy enough for him to figure out who I was afterwards, particularly coupled with the ranty email I sent him last night referring to the fact I was graduating today). But I simply could not in any conscience shake his hand when he is causing untold damage to the future good of the university. I'm very sad. At the end of the ceremony we all processed out into the Quadrangle where we ended up following a piper round the quadrangle, Pied Piper-style, which really was very very surreal! After that it was drinks and photos (not masses from me as the camera batteries went shortly after the ceremony - my pics are here in this flickr set), and then off to the department for more drinks and chat and whathaveyou. We then had a lovely lunch just the 4 of us (me, HD and my parents) and then had a very pleasant wander round the Botanic Gardens. From there back to town for some restorative caffeine, and then we left mum and dad to their own devices for the rest of the evening back at their hotel, as we were all looking really very tired. We are planning an adventure tomorrow with them before they go back on Saturday, so I am very grateful for the weather forecast, earlier this week it really wasn't looking at all hopeful but I think it's going to be nice so we shall have a fine old time showing them a bit of beautiful Scotland.