A UM historical find: student fined for bringing cabbages to university

Back in 1912, student life at the University of Malta had its own set of rules and breaking them could land your name in an official register of misbehaviour.

Deep in the University of Malta Library Archives lies a fascinating volume known as the Book of Defaulters (1902-unknown), sometimes referred to as the “naughty book.” This register recorded instances of student misconduct, documenting the more curious (and sometimes humorous) breaches of discipline over the years.

On one particular page, a rather unusual offence is recorded: a student was fined for bringing cabbages to University.

While the entry offers no explanation as to why the cabbages were brought onto campus or what the student intended to do with them, the record gives us a charming glimpse into student life more than a century ago.

Today, this small but memorable incident stands as one of the many quirky stories preserved in the University’s archives, highlighting how even the most ordinary objects, like a cabbage, can become part of history.

To bring this story to life, we’ve also created a short reel inspired by this archival find on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Special thanks to the Department of Archives and Rare Books.