Columbia University Cancels May 15 Commencement Ceremony Amid Pro-Palestinian Protests, Cites Student Feedback

Columbia University cancelled its university-wide commencement ceremony due to ongoing pro-Palestinian protests, opting instead for smaller school-based ceremonies amid pro-Palestinian protests.

Protestors chant outside The City College Of New York (CUNY) one day after the NYPD cracked down on protest camps at both Columbia University and CCNY on May 1, 2024 in New York City.

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In response to ongoing pro-Palestinian protests, Columbia University has announced the cancellation of its large university-wide commencement ceremony. The decision comes amidst a backdrop of escalating tensions but will see smaller school-based ceremonies proceeding as planned over the coming weeks.

Officials at the prestigious Ivy League institution in upper Manhattan revealed on Monday that the cancellation of the university-wide ceremony, slated for May 15, is a result of consultations with students, news agency AP reported. They emphasised that the move reflects the desires of the student body, who expressed a preference for more intimate, school-level celebrations.

“Based on feedback from our students, we have decided to focus attention on our Class Days and school-level graduation ceremonies, where students are honored individually alongside their peers, and to forego the university-wide ceremony that is scheduled for May 15,” officials at the Ivy League school in upper Manhattan stated.

"Based on feedback from our students, we have decided to focus attention on our Class Days and school-level graduation ceremonies," stated university officials, as quoted by AP. "Our students emphasized that these smaller-scale, school-based celebrations are most meaningful to them and their families. They are eager to cross the stage to applause and family pride and hear from their school’s invited guest speakers."

In-Person Classes Canceled Amid Pro-Palestinian Protests

The decision follows weeks of heightened tensions on campus, with the university already having canceled in-person classes. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators, numbering over 100, were arrested last month after camping out on Columbia's green. Similar protests have erupted at universities across the US, as institutions grapple with balancing free expression and campus safety.

The move by Columbia mirrors actions taken by the University of Southern California (USC), which recently canceled its main graduation ceremony due to similar protests. USC students vacated their encampment early Sunday under threat of arrest after being surrounded by law enforcement.

The protests have been sparked by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began on October 7. Hamas militants' attacks on southern Israel led to Israeli retaliatory strikes in Gaza. The resulting violence has claimed thousands of lives, with civilians bearing the brunt of the casualties.