Columbia University is cancelling its graduation ceremony for the Class of 2024 because of the campus protests over the Israel-Hamas conflict.
In recent weeks, higher education institutions including Columbia have found themselves embroiled in a domestic debate over the war between Israel and Hamas. Students have led protests calling for colleges to divest from Israel over the country's actions since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. They have raised concerns about the number of Palestinian civilians killed in the Gaza Strip during Israel's military offensive.
Columbia has seen protests escalate in recent weeks after allowing New York Police Department officers to clear encampments erected by student protesters. Last week, police arrested and charged 46 protesters at Columbia after they barricaded themselves inside the university's Hamilton Hall.
On Monday, Columbia announced that its school-wide graduation ceremony scheduled for May 15, 2024, will be canceled. Instead, the it plans to make school-level ceremonies and Class Days the "centerpiece of our Commencement activities," according to a statement.
"These past few weeks have been incredibly difficult for our community. Just as we are focused on making our graduation experience truly special, we continue to solicit student feedback and are looking at the possibility of a festive event on May 15 to take the place of the large, formal ceremony," the statement said. "We are eager to all come together for our graduates and celebrate our fellow Columbians as they, and we, look ahead to the future. We will share more in the coming days."
In the statement, the university wrote that resources are being directed to keep these smaller ceremonies "safe, respectful, and running smoothly."
Here is the full list of colleges that have announced they are cancelling their graduation plans thus far.
- Columbia University
- University of Southern California
The University of Southern California (USC) announced it would cancel its large graduation ceremony last month.
"With the new safety measures in place this year, the time needed to process the large number of guests coming to campus will increase substantially. As a result, we will not be able to host the main stage ceremony that traditionally brings 65,000 students, families, and friends to our campus all at the same time and during a short window from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.," the college wrote in a statement.
Pro-Palestinians Interrupt College Graduation Ceremonies in Michigan, Boston
At the University of Michigan, some graduates held Palestinian flags and chanted pro-Palestinian messages during the ceremony, according to a report from the Associated Press.
The New York Times reported that planes flew above Michigan Stadium; one with a banner that read "Divest from Israel now! Free Palestine!" and the other reading: "We stand with Israel. Jewish lives matter."
At Northeastern University in Boston, a protester interrupted the College of Social Sciences and Humanities graduation, wearing a shirt covered in fake blood with the words "NEU Kills," according to local news station WCVB.
According to the outlet, Northeastern wrote in a statement: "The disruptive stunt by one student at a college ceremony was upsetting to everyone who attended the event. Out of respect for members of our community, we will not amplify this disgraceful behavior by making it available online."
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Andrew Stanton is a Newsweek weekend reporter based in Maine. His role is reporting on U.S. politics and social issues. ... Read more
