A student newspaper at Oxford University in the United Kingdom is reporting that the school's student council will encourage the use of "jazz hands," the British Sign Language symbol for "applause," rather than clapping because traditional applause could cause anxiety.

According to the Oxford Student, the Oxford Student Council approved a motion mandating the officers to encourage the use of jazz hands rather than clapping. Oxford University Student Council Vice President of Welfare and Equal Opportunity Roisin McCallion reportedly introduced the motion, which passed Tuesday. The phrase "jazz hands" refers to when one moves their hands quickly back and forth in front of them.

"Grow a pair you imbeciles."

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The Daily Mail quoted one Oxford student as saying, "Oxford University Student Union is always seeking to be more accommodating for students. Especially for those with accessibility issues." However, the student added, "but this idea will not work and is completely ludicrous."

Piers Morgan even weighed in on the controversy, tweeting, "re your ban on clapping to stop students with anxiety being triggered, & use of silent 'jazz hands' instead.. a) Performing 'jazz hands' is racist. b) Your new rule excludes blind people, so will make them feel marginalised.

c) Grow a pair you imbeciles."

H @OxfordSU_WEO, re your ban on clapping to stop students with anxiety being triggered, & use of silent 'jazz hands' instead..

a) Performing 'jazz hands' is racist.

b) Your new rule excludes blind people, so will make them feel marginalised.

c) Grow a pair you imbeciles. — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 24, 2019

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Oxford is the second British university in as many years to ban or discourage the use of clapping. In 2018, the University of Manchester approved a similar motion. While Campus Reform is not aware of any American universities that have approved such rules, many U.S. colleges and universities do encourage "snaps" rather than clapping for the same reason that Oxford and the University of Manchester encourage jazz hands.

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