From sinner

What is it?

Raisin Weekend is centred around the almost-unique St Andrews tradition of the "academic family" in which a first year (or at least those who choose to take part - it is not compulsory) is adopted by an academic mother and academic father - who are usually, but not always, in their third or fourth year. In one form or another, Raisin Weekend has been around since the very earliest days of the university. It was, and still is, a "rite of passage" for new students.

On Raisin Sunday, first years spend the day with their academic parents. First of all, they attend a tea party with their mother at which, traditionally, not much tea but a great deal of alcohol is consumed. Later, the children are collected by their fathers and the evening is spent in the drinking of yet more alcohol. In return for their parents' kindnesses, the first year is expected to give them each a bottle of wine. This is deemed the modern equivalent of a pound of raisins (actually, the modern equivalent of a pound of raisins IS a pound of raisins) which was the usual gift way back in the mists of time when students had a bland diet (has this changed much?)

On the following day (handily called Raisin Monday) and after being woken up, sobered up, cleaned up, and, in outlandish clothes, dressed up, children are presented with their Raisin Receipts. These are written in Latin and is a way of acknowledging the gift of raisins. They always used to be on parchment. Nowadays, almost certainly, the receipt will be something large, embarrassing and cumbersome which has to be carried around. The traditionalist father may later still give a "parchment" receipt though. The gift-giving does not end here. Academic mothers give each of their children "Raisin Strings" with a small gift attached. The gift or "favour" is supposed to reflect the personality of the child. The number of Raisin Strings depends on the status of the mother. It is one string per year of matriculation - blue for first year, crimson for second, gold for third and black for fourth. These strings, with gift still attached, will eventually be tied to the child's gown hooks.

After all this largesse, children are paraded through the town until they arrive at Sallies Quad. En route, third years, fourth years and graduates of the university (if they are wearing their gowns) can stop any first year and examine their Raisin Receipt. If they find a mistake in it then they can demand that the Gaudeamus be sung as punishment. Once at Sallies Quad, between 11 and 12 o'clock, a foam fight nearly always breaks out - it's almost traditional. The striking of 12 o'clock means the end of the fun for another year, and sees students slowly drifting off. Parents perhaps to have photos developed. Children, almost certainly, to sleep.

Are there rules?

Yes, there are some. Well, rules is probably too strict a term. Guidelines.

First years should ask someone to be their academic mother, but should wait to be asked by a potential father. Parents may only adopt in their third (Tertian) or fourth (Magistrand) year of study and may have as many children as they can afford to 'entertain' on Raisin Sunday, with the following exceptions:

Medics may adopt in their second year, since they have to go to Manchester after their third year. Small recompense, I know. Second years (Semis) desperate to pass on their half-formed wisdom may adopt if they really must, but really should be pushed off the pier by their children as proof of their dedication to parenting. The pier's dangerous, by the way. JSAs and JYAs may not adopt at all. Ever. Don't even try. Children should always be bejants and bejantines, but JYAs and JSAs can be adopted too. First years can have as many parents as you want, but it's best to limit yourself to a maximum of four parents or so, otherwise your Raisin Sunday may get a little hectic. Academic incest is frowned upon. Good banter, though.

And the Latin?

Ego civis (name of parent), tertianus/a (if you’re a third year) or magistrandus/a (fourth year) or alumnus/a (if you’re a graduate) huius celeberrimae universitatis Sancti Andreae, qui (subject you study) studeo, a te, meo/a bejanto/ina carissimo/a qui (subject child studies) student, unam libram uvarum siccarum accepisse affirmo pro qua multas gratias tibi ago.

AUC (The present year minus the number of years from the founding of the University in 1411/1413/1414/1415 - choose one of these dates at random (the University does!) then work it out.)

A very approxiamte translation is "I,..... a third year/fourth year/graduate fellow member of this celebrated university of St Andrews who with great natural ability and toil studies.....,gives this to you,....... my beloved bejant, of tired and invalided mind, from.......who studies.......,and as thanks for this will accept from you one pound of raisins"