I think any time we begin discussing notions of what is "acceptable" in social situations, we risk marginalizing entire groups of people. I agree that in a perfect world, we should be able to hear the names of all the students as they make their way across the dais, but to my mind, the not-so-subtly masked elitism and classism driving this debate is FAR more troublesome than noisy celebrations at the ceremony. 

If what is desired is, as you say, a ceremony that meets the needs of "*all*" of our students, then wouldn't the forced silencing of celebrations be just as disrespectful to the demonstrative attendees as the noise may be seen to be to others? Do we REALLY want to serve everyone's interests, or are we talking about couching elitist views in the rhetoric of "respect"?

In response to the claim that society "needs its ceremonies," I would ask just who is supposed to define the term "ceremony." Those of us who claim to understand that this is a situation that calls for "decorum" and "respect" should remember that wishing to determine how the attendees are to conduct themselves is far more oppressive and disturbing than a little light-hearted air-horn tooting.

-->jarrod whaley.
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