The Price of Tradition v. The Price of Admission: BEd Students and X-Ring

For some StFX students, the question surrounding X-Ring is not just about what colour or face size to buy. It is whether they can justify buying one at all.  

With prices rising, students in the Bachelor of Education program are reconsidering purchases, looking at cheaper options, and relying on family support. Others remain interested in getting a ring, despite the worry about what it will cost.  

The Bachelor of Education program is a two-year professional program that requires an undergraduate degree for admission. For its students, X-Ring eligibility comes at the beginning of their second year, after years of tuition payments. That leaves an alarmingly short time to save for a symbol of connection to the university, especially for students arriving from other universities who may not have anticipated this expense.  

For first-year student Alex Mitchell, enthusiasm for the tradition has become intertwined with concerns about the price tag. Friends who completed their undergraduate degrees in the prior school year at StFX, had shared their excitement about receiving their rings. However, when comparing last year’s prices with what Mitchell’s roommates reportedly paid, this year has soured that mood.  

“I’ve been debating silver because I have FOMO and I really want one,” Mitchell said. “What are they going to go up to next year when we have to get ours?” 

For fellow first-year student Carter Neale, the X-Ring was part of the reason he applied to the university. Despite the price, Neale still intends to buy one next year, describing excitement about taking part in the university’s identity and traditions. The purchase has involved planning early. 

“Coming from a school that’s not in Nova Scotia, I think that the ring was a main draw for me,” Neale said. “I’ve been saving up since I put in my application to come out here.” 

For some second-year students, the purchase has depended on help from family. Megan James acknowledged that purchasing an X-Ring would not have been possible without financial support from her parents. 

“It was way too much to justify, but they thought I would miss out if I didn’t have it,” James said. “I looked up the prices, so I wasn’t surprised when I went into the store, but it made my eyes widen.” 

For students who already own an X-Ring from an earlier degree, the increases have prompted questions about whether this year's purchase is worthwhile.  

“I would have loved to get another X-Ring this year, but it is doubled and some the amount that I paid two years ago,” said second-year student Kaitlyn King. “So I’m not getting anything.” 

For context on pricing, King reported paying approximately $1400 for her X-Ring in 2024. She described her ring as a 10-carat yellow gold ring with a two face-size. According to the X-Ring website checkout, this ring at a band size of eight is currently priced at $6265.44 including tax. 

Others, including second-year student Sarah Mattausch, have decided to not buy a ring at all. “I won’t be getting one. It’s not important to me,” Mattausch said. 

When asked about the suggestion that wearing an X-Ring could help with employment in education, Mattausch stated that the ring isn’t what will be noticed. “If they’re looking at my resume and interviewing me, they’ll know that I went here anyway.” 

These perspectives raise an important consideration: students can value the meaning behind the tradition while questioning what it costs to participate.  

For me, this concern is personal. I did buy an X-Ring, but only because I benefitted from family support and the X-Ring residence credit. The X-Ring Store’s housing credit webpage (https://xringstore.ca/housing-credit) advertises options for students who spend three or four full years in residence. However, I was able to access a $300 credit for my two-year program. This option is not advertised on the webpage, and I only learned about it by asking. 

Without both forms of support, I could not have afforded a ring while also paying tens of thousands of dollars in tuition and residence costs. 

There is assistance for students facing financial barriers, but it has limited reach. The university’s X-Ring Bursary Program webpage (https://www.stfx.ca/applications-admissions/financial-support/financial-aid-office/need-based-bursaries/x-ring-bursary) states that funding is available for eight to ten graduating students each academic year to help with buying a ring.  

Other opportunities come with their own barriers. Events like “Grand on Your Hand”, held at the Golden X Inn, require a $5 cover to enter once the event begins. The raffle offers students a chance to win $1000 towards an X-Ring. For a student struggling to afford the ring itself, paying to enter an event is another expense that holds no guarantee of assistance. 

These opportunities can help some students. However, they do little to address the wider concern around affordability. Even students in my program who spend both years in residence may budget without knowing that a credit is available. Students should not have to know which questions to ask to discover available financial support. 

The students interviewed described different ways of navigating this major cost, but their interest in the tradition does not make it affordable. If the students cannot access the traditions – who are the traditions for?