Graduates asked not to toss hats

Officials made the request in a statement on the university's website

A university has asked students to refrain from throwing their mortar board hats in the air to celebrate graduation in case someone gets hurt.

Anglia Ruskin University, with campuses at Cambridge and Chelmsford in Essex, said a corner of a mortar board could hit someone as it falls.

Officials made the request in a statement on the university's website.

"It is requested that graduands do not throw their hat up into the air," the statement said.

The site also gives advice on protocol at graduation ceremonies and what to wear but makes a special plea about mortar board hat tossing.

"This not only causes damage to the hats but it can also cause injury if the corner of the hat hits the graduand or others who may be nearby," the statement added.