University to grads: No selfies at ceremony
Posted: April 20, 2014 - 4:05am

This photo taken and provided by Ali Luthman, left, of Worcester, Mass., shows her with Bryant University President Ronald Machtley on the school's campus in Smithfield, R.I. on Friday, April 18, 2104. Although Machtley, who is active on social media, loves posing for pictures with the students, the university has asked graduates to resist the urge to take a selfie with him when receiving their diploma this year.
BOSTON (AP) -- Rhode Island's Bryant University is asking students to resist the urge to take selfies with its president while receiving their diplomas. University President Ronald Machtley (MAYK'-lee) says students ask him to take selfies on the Smithfield campus all the time. But he says having more than 800 students snap photos with him as they get their degrees will slow down the already hours-long ceremony. He says he'd be happy to take some photos afterward. Students will be able to take photos until the start of the May 17 graduation and post them to a new website hosted by the university. Senior and Worcester (WUS'-tur), Massachusetts, native Ali Luthman says some students might be upset about the no selfies rule but "no one is crying about it."