A British university has banned hat-throwing at graduation ceremonies

Your college graduation is a pretty big deal, you've done the hard work, taken the naps, and finally snatched that degree.

The ceremony is a big part of the day, and for some, so is the cap and gown. There's also the matter of throwing the cap in the air in triumph, it makes a statement, it says 'I made it, I don't know how but I did!'. (via Tumblr) Sadly it seems like the hat-toss is to be scrapped at one UK University. Student newspaper The Tab reports that the University of East Anglia is putting a stop to the classic rite-of-passage due to health and safety concerns. A spokesperson for the university stated: “The decision to not have the traditional ‘hat throwing’ photo opportunity for all students this year follows a number of injuries over recent years to graduates hurt by falling mortarboards." In fairness, getting a mortarboard corner to the eye is probably not ideal. “This is an unacceptable risk and we want to ensure no student’s graduation day is ruined by the potential for avoidable injury”. Apparently, some gowns were also returned in shoddy condition following the hat-throwing. “[The ban] has been agreed by our academic dress suppliers who often receive back damaged mortarboards, and our photographers.” Hilariously, students do have the option to mime throwing their (invisible hats) in the air and they will then be photoshopped onto the picture for an £8 fee. One student said: “This is health and safety gone mad." “Students should be given the choice and told that if they don’t want to throw their hats then they can leave the group photo." We can imagine the original photos would look completely ridiculous, and would almost prefer the unphotoshopped ones. (via Giphy)