Document text
University of Florida commencement marshal on administrative leave By Deborah Strange Gatehouse Media Florida Posted May 8, 2018 at 12:30 PM This image from University of Florida video of the commencement ceremony beginning 2 p.m. Saturday shows an usher grabbing a student who was dancing after being announced at the O'Connell Center ceremony. ▲ This image from University of Florida video of the commencement ceremony beginning 2 p.m. Saturday shows an usher grabbing a student who was dancing after being announced at the O'Connell Center ceremony. ▲ --> GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida marshal who physically rushed graduates at a commencement Saturday afternoon has been placed on paid administrative leave, a university official said Tuesday. The actions of the marshal, whom the school is identifying only as a chemistry lecturer, is under review, university spokesman Margot Winick said Tuesday, as is the Saturday 2 p.m. commencement ceremony and overall commencement policy, practices and training. Near the end of the ceremony Saturday, a man danced on-stage for three seconds before the marshal grabbed his right arm and shoved him down the line toward his dean, who was shaking graduates' hands. As the marshal walked back to his position, another man walked on stage and began dancing. Almost immediately, the marshal grabbed the graduate from the front with both arms, turned the graduate around while he was still moving and pushed him down the stage. Three minutes later, a woman walked on stage and began dancing. The marshal grabbed her shoulder and walked her down the stage. She almost lost her mortarboard in the process. The graduates who danced are black. While the marshal rushed 30 or so graduates across the stage, the two men were treated with the most force. Deborah Strange is a reporter for The Gainesville (Fla.) Sun. Most Popular Legendary Phoenix wrestling coach Mondale dies May 4 at 1:28 PM Ashland teacher to appear on 'Jeopardy!' May 2 at 5:36 PM Jackson County targets chronic court skippers May 7 at 12:36 PM RV chase ends behind Mail Tribune with 1 arrest, child safe May 3 at 7:01 AM Community mourns loss of legendary Phoenix coach Mondale May 4 at 9:13 PM Guest Opinion: Conservation Fund must be renewed May 6 at 2:01 AM Medford woman accused of pot scissors attack May 4 at 4:57 PM Flamingos demand a charitable ransom May 4 at 4:39 PM East Medford residents awaken to find KKK recruiting flier May 8 at 6:58 AM Couple's rare Kaiser hatchback gets TV treatment May 7 at 2:01 AM Who can you trust? May 6 at 2:01 AM Since You Asked: Ownership of jets is top secret May 4 at 2:01 AM © Copyright 2006-2018 Rosebud Media LLC. All rights reserved. Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com ~ P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501