Will McGill University suspend a student who made a spitting gesture at graduation?

Updated on June 9, 2024, 03:29 IST

In a video circulating online, a graduate can be seen gesturing toward McGill President Deep Saini and other university officials as if she were spitting. The crowd cheered and applauded the performance. The ceremony was live-streamed by the university. However, the part where the flag is unfurled and the spitting gestures are missing from the web video.

McGill student makes a spitting gesture and unfurls a slogan. (Images via X)

In a video circulating online, a graduating student can be seen gesticulating towards McGill President Deep Saini and other university officials as if she were spitting. The crowd cheered and applauded the performance. The student made the spitting gestures towards the officials after unfolding a placard that read “Divest before you die,” the Toronto Sun reported.

The ceremony was streamed live by the university. However, the part where the flag is unfurled and the spitting gestures are missing from the web video. It only shows the student entering the stage.

In an online version of McGill’s clip, the student can be seen taking the stage, but she is not seen raising the flag or gesturing toward administration, The Toronto Sun reported. The student walks past the McGill official announcing the names of the graduates, and the official pauses for a few seconds as if preoccupied with something happening off-screen.

McGill University issued a statement to The Gazette saying officials “were focused on the ceremony itself and therefore did not notice whether the graduate had spat.” The statement continued, “However, it was clear that the student was shouting and behaving in a highly disrespectful manner. The university remains committed to peaceful and respectful dialogue, even on the most contentious and painful topics.”

McGill stressed its commitment to peaceful and respectful dialogue on controversial issues. Regarding potential disciplinary action, the university said it “cannot comment on individual disciplinary proceedings or actions out of respect for the privacy of students or staff.” The statement added: “When McGill’s Student Code of Conduct, other policies or, in particular, the law are violated, we take action.”

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