DISRUPTION MITIGATION
For some schools, the additional security measures for graduation ceremonies have invited yet more controversy.
More than 300 University of Michigan faculty, staff and alumni signed a letter protesting the disruption-mitigation training for commencement volunteers from the school’s Student Life department, saying staff should not be asked to quell “people trying to express free speech in a place where free speech is permitted.”
The volunteers have been trained to identify and de-escalate “problematic behaviour”, including “prolonged yelling, stomping,” “random yelling/shouts against someone or about current issues,” and “holding signs (silently) that block the view of others,” according to a copy of the training slides seen by Reuters.
The training instructed volunteers to issue two verbal warnings to hecklers, and then have public safety and security officers escort them from the event if they persist.
Anne Elias, a training manager for the university’s library services, was not asked to complete the training but helped write and collect signatures for the letter protesting it.
“I have real concerns with asking any staff member to engage in any type of policing behavior… even gently reminding people when they are allowed to speak and how they are allowed to speak,” she said.
A spokesperson for the university said the school’s aim was not to suppress free expression or peaceful protest, but rather to “limit significant disruptions, ensure safety and support a successful event worthy of the achievements of the university’s extraordinary graduates.”
