University of Florida president apologizes for ‘aggressive’ ushering of students at graduation

The president of the University of Florida has issued an apology after videos posted to social media showed many black students who did expressive jumps or dances while getting their diplomas being physically rushed offstage during this weekend’s commencement ceremonies.

University of Florida President W. Kent Fuchs apologized in a Twitter post Sunday for the “inappropriately aggressive” treatment the students received. A later posting said, “The practice has been halted for all future ceremonies, and we will work to make sure all graduating students know we are proud of their achievements and celebrate with them their graduation.”

Christopher Garcia-Wilde, 22, who graduated Saturday, told the Gainesville Sun he noticed students who were taking slightly more time than others being rushed while black students who took more time were being aggressively pushed.

“Both of my friends wanted to celebrate by strolling, which is a cultural tradition in historically black fraternities and sororities,” he said. “...It’s a tradition to stroll at graduation if you choose to, and people have been doing it for years,” he told the newspaper.

Another video posted to Twitter, this one by @ChicoFreedom, singled out the usher involved and said, “Every time a Black student took more than TWO seconds, he aggressively pushed them.”

University spokeswoman Margot Winick told the Gainesville Sun that school officials are looking into the incident.

“The university just regrets that the acts of those who were monitoring the lineup could dampen the spirits of the day,” she said.