History of "High Table"

The origin of "High Table" goes back to physical layout of the dining halls of English colleges at Oxford and Cambridge Universities. In those colleges, undergraduates in their commoners or scholars gown would sit at long refectory tables. At the far end of the hall, on a raised platform or dais, a table was set for the master and fellows of the college who sat above the undergraduates – at the High Table.

This arrangement visually reinforced the hierarchy of masters and fellows above students. The High Table Dinner was usually served at a set time and opened with an appropriate Latin grace spoken either by the Master of the GraduateCollege (a senior faculty member), the Dean, or a designated student. Graduate students were required to wear academic gowns to supper.

With the Master or Dean presiding, High Table now is a democratic affair and brought together selected students and faculty and administrative guests, while the whole idea was to provide an additional opportunity to bring them together.

Dress Code in High Table Dinner - Click here