75% Oxford University students want to wear gowns to exams

Oxford University students here in the UK have voted overwhelmingly against ending a centuries- old tradition of wearing black and white gowns, suits and mortarboards to examinations.

A referendum held by Oxford University Student Union (OUSU) voted to keep the signature ‘subfusc’ look for examinations, over-ruling concerns of a minority who felt the system was “archaic” and “elitist”.

The student body said as many as 75.8 per cent or 6,403 students voted to keep ‘subfusc’ - the dark suits, shirts, bow ties and ribbons worn under a gown - compulsory, the Daily Telegraph reported on Saturday. Only 2,040 students - the equivalent of 24.2 per cent?- voted against the age-old practice.

Subfusc is defined by the world famous university as a dark suit with dark socks, dark skirt with black tights or stockings or dark trousers with dark socks, a dark coat if required, black shoes, plain 

white-collared shirt or blouse, white bow tie, black bow tie, black full-length tie, or black ribbon.

Students wear a black gown on the top and carry a mortarboard into examinations with them. Those who flout the strict dress code can be punished by the university.