Sponsio Academica
Encyclopedia
The Sponsio Academica is the oath taken by all students matriculating into the four ancient Scottish universities
. Traditionally the oath - in Latin - was given orally but it is now appended to the matriculation form signed by each student. Each student who takes the oath promises that they have put themselves under the authority of the Senatus Academicus
of their particular institution.
At the University of St Andrews
the following oath is taken.
Nos ingenui adolescentes, nomina subscribentes, sancte pollicemur nos preceptoribus obsequium debitum exhibituros in omnibus rebus ad disciplinam et bonos mores pertinentibus, Senatus Academici autoritati obtemperaturos, et hujus Academiae Andreanae emolumentum et commodum, quantum in nobis sit, procuraturos, ad quemcunque vitae statum pervenerimus. Item agnoscimus si quis nostrum indecore turbulenterve se gesserit vel si parum diligentem in studiis suis se praebuerit neque admonitus se in melius correxerit eum licere Senatui Academico vel poena congruenti adficere vel etiam ex Universitate expellere.
Translation:
We students who set down our names hereunder in all good faith make a solemn promise that we shall show due deference to our teachers in all matters relating to order and good conduct; that we shall be subject to the authority of the Senatus Academicus and shall, whatever be the position we attain hereafter, promote, so far as lies in our power, the profit and the interest of our University of St Andrews. Further, we recognise that, if any of us conducts themselves in an unbecoming or disorderly manner or shows insufficient diligence in their studies and, though admonished, does not improve, it is within the power of the Senatus Academicus to inflict on such students a fitting penalty or even expel them from the University.
At the University of Glasgow
the following oath is taken:
Ego in Universitate Glasguensi discipulus sancte polliceor me Senatui Academico par iturum ita ut quae ab eo secundum leges academiae praescribuntur praestem et animadversioni eius reverenter me subiciam; ipsius academiae dignitatem atque salutem quantum in mefuerit per reliquam vitam procuraturum.
Translation:
I a student in the University of Glasgow solemnly promise that I will fulfil the requirements made by the Senatus Academicus in accordance with the regulations of the University and will conform to its discipline and that for the rest of my life, so far as in me lies, I will maintain the honour and welfare of the University.
At the University of Edinburgh
the following oath is taken:
I acknowledge that in all matters relating to the teaching and discipline of the University I have willingly placed myself under the jurisdiction of the Senatus Academicus, and I recognise that if, in the opinion of the Senatus, my studies or my conduct are unsatisfactory, it has authority to forbid my continuance upon courses qualifying for a degree.
Ancient university
Ancient university is a term used to describe seven medieval and renaissance universities of the United Kingdom and Ireland that exist today. Six of those universities are currently located in the United Kingdom and one in the Republic of Ireland...
. Traditionally the oath - in Latin - was given orally but it is now appended to the matriculation form signed by each student. Each student who takes the oath promises that they have put themselves under the authority of the Senatus Academicus
Academic Senate
An Academic Senate is a governing body in some universities and colleges, and is typically the supreme academic authority for the institution.-Scotland:...
of their particular institution.
At the University of St Andrews
University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
the following oath is taken.
Nos ingenui adolescentes, nomina subscribentes, sancte pollicemur nos preceptoribus obsequium debitum exhibituros in omnibus rebus ad disciplinam et bonos mores pertinentibus, Senatus Academici autoritati obtemperaturos, et hujus Academiae Andreanae emolumentum et commodum, quantum in nobis sit, procuraturos, ad quemcunque vitae statum pervenerimus. Item agnoscimus si quis nostrum indecore turbulenterve se gesserit vel si parum diligentem in studiis suis se praebuerit neque admonitus se in melius correxerit eum licere Senatui Academico vel poena congruenti adficere vel etiam ex Universitate expellere.
Translation:
We students who set down our names hereunder in all good faith make a solemn promise that we shall show due deference to our teachers in all matters relating to order and good conduct; that we shall be subject to the authority of the Senatus Academicus and shall, whatever be the position we attain hereafter, promote, so far as lies in our power, the profit and the interest of our University of St Andrews. Further, we recognise that, if any of us conducts themselves in an unbecoming or disorderly manner or shows insufficient diligence in their studies and, though admonished, does not improve, it is within the power of the Senatus Academicus to inflict on such students a fitting penalty or even expel them from the University.
At the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
the following oath is taken:
Ego in Universitate Glasguensi discipulus sancte polliceor me Senatui Academico par iturum ita ut quae ab eo secundum leges academiae praescribuntur praestem et animadversioni eius reverenter me subiciam; ipsius academiae dignitatem atque salutem quantum in mefuerit per reliquam vitam procuraturum.
Translation:
I a student in the University of Glasgow solemnly promise that I will fulfil the requirements made by the Senatus Academicus in accordance with the regulations of the University and will conform to its discipline and that for the rest of my life, so far as in me lies, I will maintain the honour and welfare of the University.
At the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
the following oath is taken:
I acknowledge that in all matters relating to the teaching and discipline of the University I have willingly placed myself under the jurisdiction of the Senatus Academicus, and I recognise that if, in the opinion of the Senatus, my studies or my conduct are unsatisfactory, it has authority to forbid my continuance upon courses qualifying for a degree.