More thoughts on the Galesburg, Ill. diploma controversy

A few days ago, a Room 210 Discussion post concerned the decision by Galesburg, Ill. High School officials to deprive several students of their diplomas because their friends and families made noise during the graduation ceremony.
Today, syndicated columnist Steve Chapman offers some provocative thinking on the situation:

If you go to a football game, a rock concert or a fraternity kegger, you will not be surprised to find people screaming, laughing, bumping chests, ringing cowbells, baying at the moon and generally shedding their inhibitions. If you attend a wedding ceremony, a funeral or a confirmation, however, you may expect those around you to comport themselves in a polite and restrained manner.

School commencement exercises used to fall into the latter category, but they have been moving -- make that descending -- toward the former. The question being addressed in Galesburg, Ill., is whether to surrender to that slide or try to reverse it. And I'm happy to report that school officials there not only favor reversal but have actually managed to bring it about.