Categories: uncategorized
Date: 12 March 2004 23:04:05
A few days ago my "graduation kit" arrived from the hallowed halls of Sydney University (oops sorry, it's the University of Sydney now... apparently that sounds more modern or something). It includes a number of delightful documents.
1. Three tickets and an "I'm not coming to the graduation ceremony" form all on one piece of paper.
2. A glossy brochure entitled "the time of your life" (no capitals... hmmm maybe it should the the university of sydney... that's even hipper!). This brochure is trying to sell me tasteful timepieces with the university crest and my degree/year of graduation on them. There are fourteen to choose from!! I think I'll pass.
3. A brochure saying that university was the best time of my life and asking for money... well I assume it is. I haven't made it to the punchline yet.
4. Another glossy brochure called "Congratulations on your achievement!". It has a picture of various frocked up academics (from my faculty now I look closely at it) doing graduation stuff. It gives me the opportunity to to order the photograph that captures the moment that I am congratulated by the chancellor on my achievement. Now this is interesting because the girl in the picture is being congratulated by a male and the chancellors have been female for the last 10 years or so. Now I know this photo is less than 10 years old because the pharmacy academics shown haven't been around that long. Does this mean I might be congratulated by some other random person? Actually I have no idea who the chancellor is anyway...
5. A brochure about hosting a graduation lunch at one of the uni function centres.
6. An invitation to the Pharmacy Graduation Celebrations (ie. piss up)
7. The Union graduation handbook - this includes information on academic dress hire, graduate luncheons, portrait photography and framing, life membership of the union... and some other things.
8. The university Information for Graduands booklet. This has chapters on what to wear under your frocks, what your parents should wear (they encourage guests to wear academic dress as well but seem a bit surprised that very few do), what to do when your name is called (it involves bowing, handshaking, smiling sweetly), what colour your hood lining is (mine is amber and copper) ooh and a list of university memorabilia! I think I might purchase a kangaroo skin wallet.
So yes. Am I excited? Not particularly. But I have a large pile of paper work to get through now! Must order frocks and hat thing by Monday.