University bans clapping because it 'could be triggering'

A university has elected to forgo clapping and opt for a silent alternative due to fears clapping could trigger anxiety.

Students representatives at the University of Oxford in England passed a motion to replace clapping with “jazz hands” last week, hoping to make events such as graduations more inclusive for those who suffer from anxiety.

“The policy was proposed in order to encourage the use of British Sign Language clapping during our democratic events, to make those events more accessible and inclusive for all, including people who suffer from anxiety,” Oxford sabbatical officer Roisin McCallion said, according to Yahoo UK.

“Inclusivity is one of the students’ union’s founding principles. We recognise certain groups are underrepresented in political environments and we are working to address that. This policy is one way of doing so inside Oxford SU.”

The University of Oxford isn’t the first university to swap out clapping for an alternative that is more inclusive.

Last Year, the University of Manchester passed a motion to use ‘jazz hands’ instead of clapping

“It was argued that the loud noise of traditional clapping and whooping pose an issue to students with anxiety or sensory issues. BSL (British Sign Language) clapping – or, jazz hands – would be a more inclusive form of expression,” Amy Wei for wrote for The Manunion back in 2018.

This decision prompted Good Morning Britain anchor Piers Morgan to declare “Britain’s losing its mind” in a tweet sharing a post from the university.

Even Jeb Bush, brother of former United States president, George W Bush, weighed in on Manchester’s decision, tweeting: “Not cool, University of Manchester. Not cool.”

Similarly, Oxford’s decision to bar clapping received criticism online.

“Clapping has been banned for trigger #snowflakes at Oxford University,” one person tweeted.

“Is there any point in these institutions anymore? I’m glad they haven’t banned booing so booo!”

“I’m good with this. Clapping is one the strangest expressions in humanity,” someone else tweeted in favour of the decision.

“If you want to show your approval, why would you bang your hands at them? Write them a nice note. Or better, give an approving nod.”

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