Columbia University has decided to replace its universitywide commencement ceremony on May 15 with smaller, school-based celebrations due to security concerns and ongoing protests on campus. The decision was made after discussions with student leaders and aims to create a more meaningful and safe experience for graduates and their families. The smaller ceremonies will allow students to be honored individually alongside their peers and hear from school guest speakers. Class Days and school ceremonies that were originally scheduled to take place on the South Lawn of Morningside campus have been relocated to Columbia’s Baker Athletics Complex. The university is also considering hosting a festive event on May 15 to replace the large, formal ceremony.
Graduation ceremonies for various schools at Columbia, including the journalism school, college of physicians, surgeons, Barnard College, and the school of arts, will take place at different times and locations on May 15. Additional school-based ceremonies will be held throughout the following week as well. The decision to move to smaller-scale celebrations comes in the wake of pro-Palestinian protests that began on April 17, leading to police intervention and arrests of over 100 individuals. The protests, originally calling for a cease-fire in Gaza and divestment from certain companies, have sparked discussions and debates within the Columbia community and raised concerns about security and the university president’s leadership.
Columbia University has faced criticism from some students and faculty for its handling of the protests and arrests on campus. The university president Minouche Shafik issued a letter to the New York Police Department requesting assistance to clear Hamilton Hall, which protesters had occupied and renamed Hind’s Hall. The occupation of Hamilton Hall led to the arrests and prompted the university to reevaluate its plans for commencement. Columbia has requested that the NYPD remain on campus until at least May 17, two days after commencement, to ensure security and safety during the ceremonies.
Similar protests have emerged at college campuses across the country, including the University of Michigan, where students displayed Palestinian flags during commencement. Banners advocating for divestment from Israel and expressing solidarity with Palestine were visible during the event. While there were no arrests at the University of Michigan commencement, the protests at colleges have raised concerns among administrations about the possibility of disruptions to their planned ceremonies. Last month, the University of Southern California canceled its main commencement ceremony, which was to include a keynote address from alum Jon M. Chu and the presentation of honorary degrees to tennis star Billie Jean King and others, due to potential protests and security concerns.
