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UWI TODAY
– SUNDAY 1 OCTOBER, 2017
TRADITIONS
The installation of Chancellor Robert Bermudez
and
the July induction of Campus Principal Professor Brian
Copeland, mean that two of the University’s highest levels
of ceremonial events were held at the St. Augustine Campus
during the past three months.
Not to be overlooked as meaningless pomp and
ceremony, these events call attention to the leadership
transition of the regional institution, signalling the
conferment of authority, and serve as the formal welcoming
of these senior office-holders into the university system.
Episode Five of the Netflix biographical series,
The
Crown
, which tells the story of the reign of Queen Elizabeth
II, references the prestige and almost religious significance
associated with bestowing the power of leadership. In that
episode, Queen Elizabeth II places her husband, Prince
Phillip in charge of her coronation and he upsets the
planning committee with his insistence that it should deviate
from ostentatious tradition.
Prince Phillip attempts to convince the Queen that her
coronation should be amoremodern affair: forward-looking
and symbolic of the socio-economic and technological
change of the times, her youth and the fact that a female
would be taking the crown. In the end, although he had
his way in introducing a modern twist by televising the
coronation, Prince Phillip lost the battle of altering much
of the traditions and rituals—including kneeling to his wife
when she was crowned.
According to the archives, in 1943 the vice-chancellors
of United Kingdom universities convened a special
commission to consider the principles which should guide
the promotion of higher education, learning and research…
in the colonies. The recommendations of that commission
saw a Royal Charter which establishedThe UWI in 1947—
opened formally in 1948—initially as an external College
of the University of London as the University College of
the West Indies (UCWI) and was made fully independent
in 1962. It’s no surprise then that these British traditions
of ritualistic ceremonies are a standing feature at our West
Indian university.
Dating back even further, the traditions and rituals—
although adapted from the British—incorporate elements
centuries-older, such as academic regalia, an academic
procession and the mace, which are based on the tradition
of the medieval university. The Middle Ages have made
a substantial contribution to the modern course of
instruction. The idea of a university itself is a medieval
institution by origin and its structure which includes the
division of teachers and of students into faculties and the
ordered systems of curricula and the awarding of degrees,
the administration of the university society, all took shape
in medieval times. Even the name ‘university,’ which comes
from
universitas
or
guild
, is a reminder of the fact, since
guilds were a characteristic feature of medieval society.
University Ceremonies and Rituals
Purpose and Tradition or Simply Passé?
B Y S H Y V O N N E W I L L I A M S
Ritual is characteristic of higher education, and not
just in the British systems. In the US higher education
system, the equivalent of an installation ceremony is called
an inauguration or investiture or induction. Furthermore,
in the US colleges and universities, the academic year is
bookended with convocation and commencement. In
between is a long line of building dedications, class galas,
tree-planting ceremonies, alumni merrymaking, and
founder’s commemorations. Clearly, rituals and ceremonies
are cultural markers of college campuses. (Manning, K
2000). But as Prince Phillip asked, what’s the purpose of
these traditions and rituals in this modern era?
Well, rituals are said to provide cultural preservation
and transformation and allow communication that
cannot be stated overtly and dramatise the rich history
of the institution. As The UWI turns a page in its history,
approaching its 70th anniversary, one can see the need for
reinforcing the University’s rich history at ceremonial events
while transforming its strategic direction. Whether it’s an
induction or installation, the ceremony celebrating a new
leadership is a joyous occasion on the University calendar.
Months of planning, high profile guest lists and local and
regional announcements herald an occasion of great joy for
the University community.
Induction Ceremony for a Campus Principal
I learned that inductions were uniquely constructed by
The UWI, during the stewardship of Sir Alister McIntyre as
Vice-Chancellor. The first was a special double ceremony
held at the Mona Campus in 1991 when Professor Gerald
Lalor became its Campus Principal and Professor Marlene
Hamilton was appointed Deputy Campus Principal.
However, the inductions of Deputy Principals have been
discontinued.
The programme begins with procession of the academic
staff (every formal University ceremony begins and ends
with one) which was derived from the clerical processions of
the RomanCatholic Church. After the arrival of government
and state dignitaries, the Chancellor’s procession follows.
This comprises the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Campus
Principals and Pro Vice-Chancellors who are all seated on
the stage. Welcome remarks are delivered by the University
Registrar and followed with greetings by representatives
fromacross the University community.The Vice-Chancellor
then typically contextualises the moment and the actual
induction involves him robing the new Principal. This is
followed by brief remarks from the University Chancellor,
who then caps the Principal in the mortarboard (the
academic cap with a stiff, flat, square top and tassel) and all
of this culminates with the Principal’s inaugural address.
Installation Ceremony for a Chancellor
On the other hand, the actual installation of the
Chancellor is among the first order of proceedings at
this ceremony. Following the academic and Chancellor’s
processions, the University Registrar delivers introductory
remarks, followed by the Vice-Chancellor who announces
the purpose of the assembly during his statement. The
Chancellor is then called upon to recite the official
declaration, which reads that he has undertaken an
obligation to promote the well-being of the University and
its members. As part of the ceremony’s ritual, he is also
robed by the Presidents of the Student Guild Councils
across the four campuses, and capped in the mortarboard,
as a symbol of knowledge and wisdom, by a representative
from among the Campus Principals. He then receives the
mace—a wooden staff—from the Vice-Chancellor, signaling
his official installation.
Although steeped in tradition, over the years the
installation and induction ceremonies have beenmodernised
and cultural variations are seen across the campus territories
and based on the personalities and preferences of the
incumbents. Chancellor Bermudez for instance, had a hand
in the selection of some of the music used in his ceremony,
requesting contemporary Caribbean artistes. The current
version of installations, inductions and other University
events also incorporate livestreaming and digital campaigns,
inviting the world to tune in. I think Prince Phillip would
approve.
Not to be overlooked as meaningless pomp and ceremony, these events call attention to the leadership
transition of the regional institution, signalling the conferment of authority, and serve as the formal welcoming
of these senior office-holders into the university system.
PHOTO: MARIA NUNES
