Columbia will replace its universitywide commencement ceremony on May 15 with “smaller-scale, school-based celebrations,” university officials announced Monday, after weeks of pro-Palestinian and counterprotests on campus.
The Ivy League school said the decision was made after discussions with student leaders. Security concerns were a main reason behind the decision, a university official told NBC News.
“Our students emphasized that these smaller-scale, school-based celebrations are most meaningful to them and their families,” the university said Monday. “They are eager to cross the stage to applause and family pride and hear from their school’s invited guest speakers. As a result, we will focus our resources on those school ceremonies and on keeping them safe, respectful, and running smoothly.”
As a result, students will be “honored individually alongside their peers” in the smaller ceremonies. “Class Days” and school ceremonies scheduled at the South Lawn of Morningside campus have also been relocated to Columbia’s Baker Athletics Complex.
“These past few weeks have been incredibly difficult for our community. Just as we are focused on making our graduation experience truly special, we continue to solicit student feedback and are looking at the possibility of a festive event on May 15 to take the place of the large, formal ceremony,” university officials said.
“We are eager to all come together for our graduates and celebrate our fellow Columbians as they, and we, look ahead to the future.”
