Backlash after university bans clapping from student events

A UNIVERSITY has come under fire after the student union banned clapping and cheering and replaced it with jazz hands, after claims the noise might trigger students.

Ally Foster 3, 20181:02pm

Are we outraged too easily?...

Are we outraged too easily?

Are we outraged too easily?

University students banned from clapping. Picture: iStockSource:istock

IMAGINE finishing up a rousing speech in front of your peers and instead of being met with the usual round of applause you are confronted by a crowd of people doing vigorous jazz hands at you.

It might seem like a weird version of one of those dreams where you realise you are standing naked in front of an expectant audience, but for students at one UK university it is a reality.

The Student Union at the University of Manchester voted to ban clapping and cheering at certain events in order to avoid triggering those with anxiety or sensory issues.

The union claimed the noise might be a trigger for students with anxiety or sensory issues. Picture: iStock


Students will instead use “jazz hands” in the place of applause at events such as talks, panels and debates.

Waving both hands is the British Sign Language (BSL) equivalent of clapping and university reps claim the change makes the events more accessible.

“It was argued that the loud noise of traditional clapping and whooping pose an issue to students with anxiety or sensory issues. BSL clapping — or jazz hands — would be a more inclusive form of expression,” the union said.

The union also encouraged other student groups to follow in its footsteps and “include BSL clapping as a part of inclusion training”.

But the university’s push to be more inclusive was met with backlash by some who accused them of pandering to students.

British broadcasters Piers Morgan and Jeremy Vine weighed in on the issue, with Morgan claiming it was a sign Britain was “losing its mind”.

Vine shared a photo of soldiers during WWI with the caption: “Glad some brave young souls decided to ignore the difficulties caused by sudden noised 100 years ago.”

Even people with sensory issues claimed the move was over the top and may actually do more harm than good.

“As someone with autism who has sensory difficulties, who obtained a degree two years ago and endured three hours of clapping, loud bagpipe music etc at graduation, I think this is bollocks,” one social media user said.

“I agree with using the BSL sign as this includes deaf people; it should not replace cheering/whooping though. My daughter suffers from sensory processing disorder, so doesn’t like loud noises, however, she needs to learn to cope with loud noises, so this is counter-productive,” another user said.

Clapping has been replaced with jazz hands. Picture: iStock

Clapping has been replaced with jazz hands. Picture: iStockSource:istock

One added: “People wildly waving their arms around would stress my child out big time! She has autism and sensory issues. When people clap and whoop, she recognises the noises. People just sat there waving their hands and arms around is scary.”

The union has since backtracked on an earlier press release headlined “Clapping banned at Students’ Union events”, now claiming BSL clapping is being “swapped out” for audible clapping, but isn’t an actual “ban”.

Despite the backlash, the union said it had received good feedback from students.

“We also received many positive responses from disabled students (some of whom who were deaf or autistic), who were delighted to feel more included in our democratic process,” the union said in a statement.

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