U. of Virginia Cancels 21-Gun Salute, Citing Gun Violence

The University of Virginia canceled the 21-gun-salute portion of its annual Veterans Day ceremony, citing gun violence. James Ryan, the university’s president, posted a statement on Facebook explaining that there were concerns about firing weapons on school property in light of recent school shootings. He said there were two specific reasons.

“First, to minimize disruptions to classes, given that this event is located at the juncture of four primary academic buildings and is held at a time that classes are in session; and second, recognizing concerns related to firing weapons on the Grounds in light of gun violence that has happened across our nation, especially on school and university campuses,” the president wrote.

As you might imagine, the outrage among veterans and military supporters has been severe. “I am very disillusioned, very upset, and very surprised that they would make such a decision,” veteran Jay Levine told television station WHSV. The Daily Progress condemned the university’s decision in an editorial.

“It also, ironically, sends an unfortunate message about students: That they are too fragile, too delicate, too distractible to deal with the ‘interruption’ of the salute. That they are too insular, too wrapped up in their own worlds to comprehend and accept this longstanding practice. That they must be protected from the reality that exists outside academia,” it wrote.

The blowback was apparently so significant that President Ryan promised to reintroduce the 21-gun salute next year.

The notion that students might suffer some sort of disruption because the ROTC is honoring our veterans is repulsive. The irony is that gun salutes are a demonstration of a military’s peaceful intentions, according to the U.S. Army Center of Military History.

“The use of gun salutes for military occasions is traced to early warriors who demonstrated their peaceful intentions by placing their weapons in a position that rendered them ineffective,” the center explained. “The 21-gun salute became the highest honor a nation rendered.”

The University of Virginia may think it is protecting its overly sensitive students, but in reality it is disrespecting our veterans.

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British university to introduce a 'controlling anxiety' module to prepare students for world of work

A university for trainee lawyers is to introduce a “controlling anxiety” module in an attempt to prepare students for the world of work.

BPP University Law School will also offer courses on “mindfulness on the go” and “managing your sleep” from the end of the month.

The private university, which has branches in London, Bristol, Cambridge, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester, prides itself on creating graduates who are “career ready”.

It says that students leave the university “not just armed with academic theory, but also the context, skills and behaviours you need to succeed”.

Jo-Anne Pugh, director of programme design and development at BPP Law School,said the new courses are part of a series of initiatives to boost wellbeing and mental health services at the university.

 It follows research published earlier this year by the junior lawyers division of the Law Society, which showed that stress and mental health issues among young lawyers were on the rise.

Almost half (48 per cent) said that they had experienced poor mental health, a 10 per cent increase from the year before.

Meanwhile, 93 per cent of respondents said they felt stressed, with almost a quarter of them feeling severely or extremely stressed.

Ms Pugh said: “It wasn’t that long ago when mental wellbeing in the law was barely discussed. “The profession has moved on and all law schools must also do the same. “Our new programmes will introduce students to self-reflection, wellbeing and emotional intelligence. 

“Strategies for good mental wellness will be embedded within all our legal education and training to help prepare and support students for both study and their later working lives”.

Universities have come under pressure to step up their efforts to assist students with mental health issues.

Ministers have written to vice-Chancellors urging them to prioritise the wellbeing of new students, saying that learning is no longer the main purpose of higher education.

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Amen to that! Oxford students revolt over head of college's 'woke' plan to scrap saying grace before meals

We're used to militant campaigns by ultra-PC students – but at one Oxford campus, the shoe is on the other foot.

Worcester College's provost is now facing a furious backlash after trying to abolish the centuries-old customs of standing for dons and saying grace before meals.

Students said they had been told by catering staff that they were no longer required to get up when senior academics entered and left the dining hall.

They have also been informed about proposals to axe the Anglican Grace, which is read before meals in Latin, and replace it with a 'range of set texts of thanksgiving from any world culture, religious or not'.

Professor Kate Tunstall's plans have infuriated students from the junior common room, who held a vote on the issue.

The majority were in favour of preserving the traditional practices and have decided to petition the governing body to reinstate the standing policy.

Damon Falck, the JCR vice president, said students are 'passionate about keeping the theatre that reminds them of this place's history and that it's a special place to be'.

He told the Daily Telegraph it is 'significantly more awkward to sit in silence while the tutors arrive or leave than it is to stand' and said standing is 'an excellent way to signal the start of the meal, and for everyone to be silent for grace'.

Professor Tunstall, the college's interim provost, said the changes would boost 'inclusivity' and prevent students from feeling alienated.

A senior academic said the protest showed that 'some of the governing body are more woke [politically correct] than the student community... and the students are not as woke as they thought'.

Worcester College, which was founded in 1714, boasts supermarket chain founder John Sainsbury, media tycoon Rupert Murdoch and Harry Potter actress Emma Watson among its alumni.

The college confirmed its governing body voted in June that students 'would no longer be required to stand when tutors come into the hall at formal dinners'.

A university spokesman said: 'The vote was taken following consultation with students and staff representatives who welcomed this as progressive change. Nobody has banned anyone from standing if they wish to do so.'

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