Columbia University has decided to cancel its university-wide commencement ceremony scheduled for next week, citing ongoing pro-Palestinian protests on campus and concerns about security. According to a university official who spoke to CNN, this decision follows a wave of similar actions taken by universities across the United States amid escalating tensions surrounding the Israeli response in Gaza. The protests have drawn attention to the reported death toll of over 34,000 Palestinians, as per the health ministry’s figures.
In lieu of the large ceremony, Columbia University announced plans to forgo the university-wide event originally set to take place on the South Lawn of the Morningside campus on May 15. Instead, the university will relocate all school ceremonies and share details about a “festive event” on May 15 that will allow graduates to celebrate together. The decision to focus on smaller-scale, school-based celebrations was influenced by student input, with an emphasis on safety, respect, and smooth operations, as stated in the university’s announcement.
The cancellation of the commencement ceremony comes in the wake of significant protests on campus, which led to the arrest of over 200 individuals by New York police the previous week. In response to these events, Columbia University has extended the presence of law enforcement on campus until at least May 17 to ensure safety and security for all students, faculty, and staff.
Columbia University President Minouche Shafik expressed empathy for the graduating class, many of whom are first-generation college students, highlighting the significance of the graduation celebration, especially in light of the challenges posed by the pandemic. The decision to cancel the ceremony underscores the complex dynamics surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its impact on university campuses across the United States.