Formal Hall

One of the advantages of going to an old university like Cambridge, which is about to celebrate the 800th anniversary of its founding, is taking part in long-standing traditions. What we have found, however, is that access to such events depends on to which of the university's thirty-one colleges you belong. The college is like your home away from home—many undergraduates are required to live at their college for a year or more—where one studies, eats and socializes. The university is where you take your classes.

M* is a member of St. Edmund's College, which was only founded in the 1960s. While it is known as one of the friendlier colleges, we have spent so little time there due to its location and lack of amenities. A number of the older and wealthier colleges have amazing grounds, sports fields, gyms and social events where well known bands and djs headline. These older colleges also have elaborate formal dining halls where the head table, reserved for fellows, is raised.

M* and me

M* had been to a formal hall (dinner) once, but the dress was casual. Last Saturday evening, there was a black tie formal hall at Pembroke College arranged by and for Judge Business School students and guests. It was nice to get dressed up, and, as the program is ending soon, have the opportunity to spend time with a good portion of the MBA class.

The Judge football team's defense

The fellows were not seated at the head table until the rest of us were settled. An announcement of their impending arrival was announced along with a warning that photos were not permitted while fellows were in the room. All but one or two people obeyed—the offenders were given the evil eye by Pembroke's Catering Manager (I'm guessing his title). Once the fellows finished dining, had their departure announced and exited, the cameras were whipped out and the photo documentation of the evening continued.

Johannes, Michael, Taro, Tialda, Nicole, Maria, me, Manuela and James

Many colleges are not known for their cuisine, but I was impressed with the quality, taking into consideration that there were 150 guests. They even accommodated vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free diets.

Oxford MBAs vs Cambridge MBAs

Saturday was Oxford MBA vs Cambridge MBA day. Judge students travelled by car and coach (our mode of transport) to Oxford to participate in friendly competitions of football, touch rugby, cricket, squash, badminton, volleyball, rowing and dodgeball. M* and the rest of the football team played a strong game, but somehow Oxford got one goal in. That first match was an indicator of who was going to win the rest of the day's competitions. The rowing team bucked the trend and became the only Cambridge team to win a match. As last year's Cambridge MBA team did not win at all, Cambridge's performance this year was an improvement.

There was actually another competition where Cambridge held its own—the drinking relay. After the sporting matches, we made our way to the Said Business School for dinner and entertainment. The Oxford program is larger than Cambridge's (250 vs 110 students) and is comprised of a larger portion of Americans (50 vs 10 students). The very American Oxford MC of the evening awards ceremony announced that before the dj and dancing was to begin both schools should put their seven best drinkers forward. There were enough volunteers that the teams were enlarged to 11. Cambridge won the first relay; Oxford clamored for a rematch. Oxford won the second match by a gulp, and Cambridge suggested best of three. The final round should have gone to Cambridge but was deemed too close to call.

The last 1 1/2 hours of the evening found Judge-ites monopolizing the dance floor. The Oxford student who was djing read the crowd well and played a mix of old school ("White Lines" and "Vanilla Ice"), new pop-dance ("Sexy Back", "Promiscuous Girl") and enough high-energy Indian songs to make one student comment that he felt like he was in a disco in Bangalore. It was great fun with a tangible poignancy, in my view, as students realize that the number of opportunities for such moments are dwindling.

M* warming up for the football match.

M* being illegally defended by the Oxford team.

Oxford and Cambridge football group photo.

Start of the rowing race on the Thames—Cambridge is in white.

Geese and goslings along the Thames.

M* crouched and ready at the start of dodgeball.