Columbia University has commenced its series of graduation ceremonies, beginning Friday, May 10th and continuing through the following Friday, May 17th. These events mark a significant moment for the institution, which recently faced the difficult decision to cancel its university-wide graduation ceremony.
The decision was prompted by safety concerns linked to ongoing pro-Palestinian protests on campus, stirring discontent among some students over the manner in which the news was communicated.
Instead of a singular large event, Columbia is hosting smaller, school-specific ceremonies at the Baker Athletics Complex in Inwood. This approach aims to maintain the celebratory spirit of graduation while addressing security considerations.
The atmosphere on university campuses across the United States remains charged as student activism intensifies in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Notably, similar protests and actions have occurred during graduation ceremonies at other institutions. At Duke University, a group of students exited the commencement address delivered by comedian Jerry Seinfeld. Meanwhile, approximately 60 Rutgers University students in New Jersey also chose to walk out during their graduation ceremony, a scene echoed at the University of California, Berkeley.
These incidents reflect a broader trend of campus activism and the complex interplay between academic celebrations and political expressions, highlighting the ongoing debates and divisions concerning the Israel-Palestine conflict.
