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University Of Manchester Bans Traditional Clapping From Student Union Events

University Of Manchester Bans Traditional Clapping From Student Union Events

Students have been told to wave their hands rather than clap as it could affect people suffering with anxiety and other disorders

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

University students in Manchester have been told to stop whooping and clapping at union events, in order to make campus life more accessible.

The idea was tabled by the University of Manchester's Liberation and Access officer Sara Khan, proposed replacing traditional clapping with British Sign Language (BSL) clapping, which in effect means waving both hands.

Titled 'Making Senate More Accessible', the motion demanded the softer method be introduced to protect students who suffer from sensory disabilities.

It was quickly passed by the union's Senate and means clapping will be banned from union debates, panels, and talks.

David Dixon (Wikimedia Commons)

The National Union of Students (NUS) has been using BSL clapping since 2015 and Khan's motion received little opposition in Senate, which meets three times per semester and allows students the opportunity to propose changes to the university's constitution.

According to the union they hope the decision will 'encourage student groups and societies to do the same, and to include BSL clapping as a part of inclusion training'.

Since the decision was announced, however, much of the reaction thus far has referred to BSL clapping as 'jazz hands', apparently under the mistaken belief that all applause in the Student Union building has been banned in favour of a much-maligned musical gesture.

Radio presenter Jeremy Vine slammed the move and referenced the incredibly difficult conditions soldiers had to endure during the First World War.

He wrote: "Glad some brave young souls decided to ignore the difficulties caused by sudden noises 100 years ago."

Not quite sure where he's going with this to be honest.

And never one to shy away from a debate, former journalist and TV personality Piers Morgan discussed the issue, applying the kind of balance and intellect we have become accustomed to.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain, he said: "'If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands' - that's going to have to go now, isn't it?

"If you're happy and you know it and you want to clap your hands, be careful - it may trigger anxiety. So, if you're happy, don't clap your hands, children."

LADbible has contacted Sara Khan for comment.

Featured Image Credit: Indigo Goat from Liverpool (Wikimedia Commons)

Topics: uk news, News