User Contributed Dictionary
Alternative forms
sizerNoun
- at certain universities, e.g. Cambridge and Dublin, a student who receives an allowance for his college expenses (study grant); originally in return for serving other (paying) students.
See also
References
Extensive Definition
A sizar formerly referred to students of limited
means at the universities of Cambridge
and Trinity
College, Dublin, who were charged lower fees and obtained free
food and/or lodging and other assistance during their period of
study.
According to Alumni Dublinenses, most students
entered college as Pensioners. In other words, they paid a fixed
sum annually. The other two categories were: Sizar and Fellow
Commoners (Socii Comitates). Sizars were "allowed free education in
consideration of performing certain, at one time menial, duties";
Fellow Commoners paid double fees and enjoyed several privileges,
including that of finishing the College course in three years
instead of four. "Sizards were sons of poor parents, frequently the
clergy"
The word sizar is thought to derive from the
"sizes" or "sizings" (in turn a shortened form of "assize") which
were the specified portions of food and drink made available at a
fixed price at the college. One of the sizar's duties was to fetch
the "sizes" for his colleagues.
The word sizarship is still used to refer to
monetary awards made to members of a student body willing to take
on defined jobs with responsibility. According to John
Stillwell, "Sizars had to earn their keep as servants to the
wealthier students [...]" .