Hiromi_X
"Rights and Privileges"
While digging through my shits, doing some pre-packing organization and whatnot, I came across my diploma. I took it out and read it, and within the flowery language on it, I saw a phrase stating that I have been awarded this degree and the "rights and privileges appertaining to it." What on earth could these be?
Comments
I hate the doublespeak. They can't just say "This person has been awarded this degree/diploma because they met our requirements for: class attendance, produced work, testing standards and peer group acceptance."
Which is what it really is. Of course, you could always send a very nice letter or email to the dean/principal (high school or college?) and confuse the fuck out of 'em. Hey.... that's an idea... Hmmm......
1. Posted by darkneuro on March 26, 2008
You have the right to donate money to the university...
2. Posted by gregarious on March 26, 2008
The right to sneer at people from That Other University Which Is Obviously Inferior. And at people who don't have a degree at all!
3. Posted by Tina Marie on March 26, 2008
The right to frame it and hang it in your office? It seems everyone exercises that right pretty freely.
4. Posted by Miss Syl on March 26, 2008
It meant they awarded you a brain, like the scarecrow in the Wizard of OZ. But you got the high quality admirable brain that give you the ability to outthink asshats, overcome any obstacle with your own wits, and fight off evildoers armed only with a handmixer and hydrogen-powered (because they're so Earth-friendly) scooter.
Or, it could be what gregaious said. I could go either way.
Sorry I've not been around much lately. Since I have no diploma, I've been looking for someone with brains like yours to bail me out of life. So far, no luck :-)
5. Posted by Omnipotent Poobah on March 26, 2008
You have the right to donate money to the university...
That's certainly how the uni seems to see it!
Anyway, all good ideas everyone, but it must have meant something specific at some time, maybe involving the wearing of ceremonial robes and membership in places with wood paneling on the walls.
Since I have no diploma, I've been looking for someone with brains like yours to bail me out of life.
Brains and diplomas don't necessarily go hand in hand, even the elite ivy-covered sort, as our current president illustrates.
6. Posted by Hiromi on March 26, 2008
I know it's not the same in the US, but here, degrees confer the socially metaphoric equivalent of cuts in line, and seat-back.
Dunno what the rights are, those seem like privileges to me.
7. Posted by Holly on March 27, 2008
If it's a Masters degree, you can have slaves. I volunteer.
8. Posted by Ray on March 27, 2008
Holly, it's interesting how a degree is required to even get your foot in the door for certain jobs in the U.S., but no one really seems to give a damn. I mean, if someone got a degree from Harvard or Yale or something, people are impressed, but that feeling seems to be along the lines of "That's a nice brand of X you got there."
If it's a Masters degree, you can have slaves. I volunteer.
ooo, what if I get a PhD?
9. Posted by Hiromi on March 27, 2008