University of St Andrews Union Debating Society - Traditions

Traditions

At the start of a debate the convenor welcomes those gathered to the current session of 'the University of St Andrews Union Debating Society, the oldest and, some might say, the finest of its kind in the world' — this brings a resounding cheer of 'hear hear'. Another distinctive tradition is the wearing of gowns to debates, whether those be the scarlet gowns of the united college, the black ones of St Mary's college or the appropriate postgraduate gown.

On the basis that the Society claims always to have provided good value for money (indeed, unlike the societies of Oxbridge, both membership and attendance at debates are free to all students), when a monetary amount is mentioned in a speech, the members of the House cry 'How much?'; the sum is then repeated, to which the House responds 'That's cheap!'. The minutes are read at the beginning of each debate, but inevitably someone would rather proceed to the main debate, and so raises a point of order, moving that the minutes be taken as read; another member rises in opposition to the motion. At this stage a vote is taken by 'oral acclamation' — the announcement of which is met with a cry of 'Oohh', and after a vote the convenor generally believes to be closer than is apparent to the rest of the House (who nearly always believe that the 'nays' have it, which would result in the minutes being read in full), the minutes are taken as read, and the convenor requested to 'resign' on the basis of having effectively overruled the House.

The society's motto is Pro Amicitia Et Litteris — 'for friendship and learning'. The Gaudeamus is sung at the end of each debate, as the Board of Ten and speakers process out of the chamber. The Society also owns a sword, affectionately known as Bessie, which is said to be used by the Sergeant at Arms to protect the authority of the speaker: in practice it symbolises the authority of the House, in the manner of a ceremonial mace.