Misguided action

This is what the Hartford Courant had to say about a disruptive display at the University of Hartford’s commencement over switching to NCAA Division III:
Filled with anger and disappointment over the University of Hartford’s decision to move its athletic program from NCAA Division I to Division III, a number of students decided to make their displeasure known during the school’s commencement exercises at the XL Center in Hartford this weekend.

According to videos on social media and statements from the university, attendees jeered and booed from the audience; they shouted and shared “language as they crossed the stage.” The disruption caused university president Gregory Woodward to leave the Saturday night ceremony for UHart’s College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions, one of several proceedings held over the weekend.

Those against the move to D-III, who argue the change is shortsighted, hurts athletes and will put a crimp in fundraising efforts, have targeted Woodward. Woodward has argued the program is too expensive and the school’s resources would be better spent elsewhere.

Those who participated in the boo-fest — and those who saluted the display on social media — may think they were exercising their right to make their views known. Many of the school’s student-athletes, coaches and alumni have been vocal in their displeasure with the Board of Regent’s decision. They have marched on campus. Members of the softball team, playing a game the day after the decision was announced, blocked out the school’s name on their jerseys.

But disrupting the commencement ceremony was thoughtless and misguided. Were they going to change anyone’s minds by booing Woodward? No. Were they going to add anything constructive to the debate? Hardly. The passion around this issue has been intense, but too many of those weighing in on the issue have turned a legitimate debate into an exercise in character assassination.

Those who disrupted the ceremony indulged their anger and spoiled a milestone event for the other students in attendance. You might think after having lived through a year when the coronavirus pandemic canceled in-person events like graduations, those determined to make their views known might have been more thoughtful. Deck your cap with a message. Wear something on your gown.

There are better ways to make your voice heard without robbing others of what should have been a special day.