Columbia University announced the cancellation of its universitywide commencement ceremony in favor of smaller celebrations, causing disappointment among seniors and their families. The tumultuous school year was marred by pro-Palestinian demonstrations over Israel’s war in Gaza, resulting in arrests and safety concerns on campus. Graduating senior Alexis Ishmael expressed sadness over the cancellation, noting the low campus morale and the challenging times students have endured, including the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite the cancellation, university officials emphasized that they did not want to cancel graduation ceremonies entirely. Instead, each school at Columbia will hold their own smaller graduations in addition to the main ceremony. Originally, the university had planned to host two ceremonies on May 15 to accommodate the 15,000 graduates, but now students will be honored individually alongside their peers in smaller ceremonies. The university is also considering holding a festive event on May 15 to replace the large, formal ceremony.
Morgan Malcolm, a graduating senior at Barnard College, expressed disappointment after her family had purchased flights months in advance to attend the universitywide ceremony. She compared the situation to her high school graduation being canceled in 2020 due to Covid-19, describing it as a case of bad luck. Barnard College, part of the larger Columbia University system, will host a smaller commencement ceremony later this month. Other colleges in the U.S. are also reconsidering their graduation ceremonies due to campus unrest over the conflict in Gaza.
The University of Southern California and Emory University are among those that have made changes to their graduation plans. USC canceled its main commencement ceremony, while Emory University moved its ceremony to an indoor complex off-campus due to safety and security concerns. The conflict in Gaza has led to protests, arrests, and calls for schools to divest their endowments from companies profiting from the war. Marla Feinstein, a parent of a graduating student at Columbia, expressed disappointment over the loss of the universitywide commencement and the impact on first-generation families.
Feinstein highlighted the significance of the universitywide ceremony for many families, especially those who are first-generation, as it provides a picturesque backdrop and a sense of closure. With many students already missing out on a traditional high school graduation due to the pandemic, the cancellation of another major milestone event adds to the feeling of missed opportunities. Students in the Class of 2024 began their college careers amid challenging times and have now faced another setback with the cancellation of the commencement ceremony.
