Education

University of Florida Issues Apology Over Grads Rushed Off Stage

The grads who were rushed appeared to be mainly students of color.

Controversy has come out of The University of Florida after videos published online appear to show black students who danced or celebrated receiving their diploma during one of Saturday’s commencement ceremonies being manhandled and rushed off stage.

UF Twitter 🗣🗣

Somebody please find out this employee’s name!! Every time a Black student took more than TWO seconds, he aggressively pushed them. Watch it for yourself. #ItsGreatUF pic.twitter.com/zMee1nMbUZ

— Chris (@ChicoFreedom) May 5, 2018

The university employee who rushed these students appears to be very physical in doing so and seems to try and physically restrain a couple of the graduates as he yanks them off stage. 21 graduates are said to have been handled this way.

The University of Florida issued an apology over the situation, and the President of the university Kent Fuchs took it upon himself to call and apologize to all 21 students affected by this situation. In his voicemails to the affected students, Fuchs brought up the staff member that conducted himself poorly, saying, “there was one specific staff member that was very aggressive…in doing this, and we have asked our human resources and also this individual’s college to investigate and to take appropriate action.”

Fuch’s public apology can be read and watched below.

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. (2/2)

— W. Kent Fuchs (@PresidentFuchs) May 6, 2018