It’s one of the hottest trends and it was even Oxford Dictionaries’ 2013 Word of the Year: selfie.
But University of South Florida students will have to take a mental picture of the moment they receive their diploma this year.
USF is asking students not to take selfies on stage at graduation.
The university notified graduating students and placed an ad in the student newspaper, entitled “Graduation Etiquette.”
Selfies aren't the only behavior being discouraged on stage. Stepping, marching and strolling are all also qualified as “inappropriate behavior.”
USF President Judy Genshaft says the university is not opposed to students taking selfies in general, but on stage at graduation she says it slows down the ceremony.
“It’s really a matter of timing and making sure the graduation ceremony is happy, celebratory and is as expedient as possible,” said Genshaft.
USF is not the first to make such a policy.
The University of Florida is now asking graduates to turn off cell phones before accepting their diploma. Bryant University in Rhode Island also recently announced a ban on selfies at commencement.
At USF if students don’t abide by the new policy, the university says students could face disciplinary action. That could include having their degree withheld.