NEW YORK (NewsNation) — Columbia University announced Monday it has canceled its university-wide commencement ceremony originally scheduled for May 15 after weeks of campus unrest.
The decision comes as the school has experienced pro-Palestinian demonstrations and encampments on campus over the last few weeks, with students protesting the Israeli military campaign in Gaza and calling for Columbia to divest from companies with ties to Israel.
Columbia will still honor students
“We are determined to give our students the celebration they deserve, and that they want,” the university said in a Monday statement announcing the change.
Graduating students will still be honored individually alongside their classmates in smaller school-specific ceremonies, Columbia said, rather than on at a school-wide ceremony.
“Our students emphasized that these smaller-scale, school-based celebrations are most meaningful to them and their families,” the announcement said. “They are eager to cross the stage to applause and family pride and hear from their school’s invited guest speakers.”
Students will receive further information about their specific commencement ceremony from the school. Ceremonies will start Friday and run through May 16.
“We are eager to all come together for our graduates and celebrate our fellow Columbians as they, and we, look ahead to the future,” the school said.
Demonstrations across the US
Universities across the U.S. have been grappling with how to deal with encampments as commencement ceremonies approach, with some continuing negotiations and others turning to force and ultimatums that have resulted in clashes with police.
The number of arrests at campuses nationwide has exceeded 2,000 as the final days of class wrap up. Police said 112 protesters were arrested at Columbia — 80 were students and 32 were not affiliated with the school.
The outcry has forced colleges to reckon with their financial ties to Israel as well as their support for free speech. Some Jewish students have said the protests have veered into antisemitism and made them afraid to set foot on campus.
The University of Southern California also canceled its main graduation ceremony late last month, allowing other commencement activities to continue.
Protesters barricade in Hamilton Hall
Columbia’s president, Minouche Shafik, called police to help clear out Hamilton Hall after protesters forced their way into the building April 29 and refused to leave the following day. NYPD officers were seen entering the building through a second-floor window late on April 30 before clearing the building and disassembling two protest encampments.
Bodycam video showed police clearing out Hamilton Hall, which had been occupied by protesters who used chairs and furniture to barricade themselves inside. The video shows the moment police broke through the barriers and began arresting people.
Before police moved in, they said there was cause for real concern, as they saw furniture being used as barricades, cameras destroyed and some in the group encouraging de-arresting techniques.
This all came after Columbia University officials gave students one last chance April 29 to leave the encampment or face suspension. Yet, protesters continued to chant “Free Palestine” far past that deadline with dozens of tents still on campus.
The hall’s takeover occurred nearly 12 hours after that 2 p.m. deadline.
While protests have remained fairly peaceful over the weekend, Columbia is taking precautionary steps to protect its students.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for more updates.
