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University of Florida commencement marshal on administrative leave 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. Video screenshot Tuesday May 8, 2018 at 12:30 PM The marshal who physically rushed and moved graduates at a Saturday ceremony has been placed on administrative leave, a university official said Tuesday. By Deborah StrangeGatehouse Media Florida 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.