Transgender students fronted a campaign to update the university's
strict clothing rules, which require men to wear dark suits as well
as their academic dress – which includes a gown and cap - for
formal occasions such as exams.
But dons at the world-renowned institution have agreed to scrap the
regulations, giving men the choice of wearing either a skirt or
trousers, in line with their female counterparts.
'It's a small change that will eliminate the need for trans
students to cross-dress,' said Jess Pumphrey of the university's
LGBTQ society.
A university spokesman said: 'The regulations have been amended to
remove any reference to gender, in response to concerns raised by
Oxford University Student Union that regulations did not serve the
interests of transgender students.'
The new rules will come into force next month.
