After weeks of student protests, Columbia University has announced the cancellation of its main commencement ceremony, opting to hold smaller ceremonies for each of its 19 colleges at its athletic complex. The university’s main campus has been in a state of near lockdown following the removal of pro-Palestinian protesters from Hamilton Hall and the arrest of over 100 people involved in the protest. Security concerns and the ongoing police presence around the campus have led to the decision to cancel the large commencement ceremony scheduled for May 15.
Columbia University’s president, Nemat Shafik, originally expressed a desire to host the graduation on campus, but security concerns have now led to the cancellation of the main commencement ceremony. The school plans to focus on individual class days and school-level ceremonies to honor students alongside their peers. The celebrations for the different colleges will begin on Friday and continue through May 16. Many graduating seniors had their high school graduations canceled due to Covid-19 precautions and started their college experience in remote learning, making the commencement ceremony an important milestone for them.
Parents of graduating students from various programs, including undergraduate college, law school, and medical school, will be flying in from around the world to celebrate their achievements. Columbia University is exploring the possibility of organizing a festive event on May 15 to replace the large formal ceremony that has been canceled. The decision to cancel or alter commencement events at universities where protests have erupted reflects a concern that renewed protests could disrupt and tarnish the ceremonies.
Typically, Columbia’s commencement ceremony is held at the heart of the Morningside Heights campus, with thousands of graduates gathered around the steps of Low Library in blue and white robes. However, recent protests and the administration’s handling of the pro-Palestinian demonstrators have fueled discontent among many students and faculty members. The decision to cancel the large commencement ceremony aims to avoid further division on campus and ensure that all graduates and their loved ones can celebrate their achievements in a meaningful way.
The university’s decision to cancel the main commencement ceremony has been met with mixed reactions, as some students express disappointment at missing out on the traditional event while others appreciate the emphasis on smaller, more personal ceremonies. Columbia officials are working on alternative plans for a festive event on May 15 to commemorate the graduates’ achievements. The cancellation of the large ceremony and the focus on smaller celebrations reflects the ongoing challenges faced by universities in navigating protests and security concerns during graduation season. Despite the changes, the university remains committed to honoring and celebrating the accomplishments of its graduates and their families.
