Degree Dispenser

‘Two Universities, both alike in dignity in fair Aberdeen, where we lay our scene, from ancient grudge break to new mutiny’. Of course the rivalry between the Robert Gordons and Aberdeen University is nowhere near as grand or epic as the two warring households in Romeo and Juliet. However, there is a long standing grudge between both campuses that all students realize after they wake up from their Fresher hangovers’. This rivalry, for me, is encapsulated beautifully by the Men’s toilet on the ground floor of the Aberdeen Uni’s hangout: the Hub. Around about two cubicles in; amongst the rustle of times news papers; polite, masqueraded coughs; and gentlemanly flushes; is a toilet roll dispenser. And on this dispenser, marked in well formed, clear graffiti is written: “Robert Gordon’s Degree dispenser”. Crudely elegant and evidently the product of an AU wise-ass, but it does summarise the grudge perfectly: RGU degrees are seen to be easily attainable and therefore not worth the paper their printed on (or in this case: wiped on).

Of course it’s an assumption that has grown out of RGU’s attempts to better it’s self as time went on. It originally started out as a college and in 1992 was awarded its status as a university and since then has seen its numbers grow steadily as it draws a higher proportion of applicants each year mainly into the growing technology sector. Of course, Aberdeen University is one of the oldest around and its focus on the Arts as well as science sets it apart from RGU’s more practical base in finding gainful employment. It’s remained competitive throughout the years as too has the reputation of the students.

That being said the rivalry hasn’t quite spilled out to the point that students go around biting their thumbs at one another (RGU students wouldn’t get the reference any way). But it’s a common joke amongst the AU student body that ‘It’s a college in University blazer’. Likewise, the RGU students have the opinion that AU’s students are smug bunch of pretentious prancers that enjoy the smell of their own farts (It’s true, with a cafeteria this good how could you not).

I suppose all in all it won’t matter come graduation time whether this rivalry has any basis in fact as we’ll all be in the same jobless boat as many graduate students have found out this year. But, we’ll continue the good manner ribbing of one another and drink in RGU student union and hope the Economic worries piss off by the time we’re dispensed our diplomas.