Columbia cancels university-wide commencement ceremony amid pro-Palestinian protests
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- Columbia University has decided not to hold its university-wide commencement ceremony that had been scheduled for May 15.
Many of the graduating seniors missed out on their high school graduations as well due to the pandemic.
The school released a statement on Monday morning saying they would opt to focus instead on its Class Days and school-level ceremonies.
"Based on input and feedback from student leaders, the University has decided to focus attention on Class Days and school-level ceremonies, where students are honored individually alongside their peers, and to forego the University-wide ceremony that is scheduled for May 15. 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."
One of the reasons Columbia said it called in the NYPD last Tuesday was in order to make room for the schoolwide ceremony in the same location as the encampment.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said University President Minouche Shafik has ceded "control to Hamas supporters" and called for her immediate removal.
"President Shafik and Columbia University administrators have displayed a shocking unwillingness to control their campus. They've allowed outside agitators and terrorist-sympathizing students and faculty to rewrite campus rules and spew vile, anti-Jewish aggression. Now, thousands of students who've worked hard to achieve their degrees will not get the recognition they deserve," Johnson said.
However, a Columbia spokesperson said holding a large commencement ceremony on campus presented security concerns that "proved insurmountable."
"The university was unable to identify an alternative venue that could host such a large event. Like our students, we are deeply disappointed with this outcome," the spokesperson said.
Columbia has requested NYPD presence until at least May 17 to maintain order.
The announcement came the day after Mayor Eric Adams encouraged city colleges and universities to move forward with in-person ceremonies.
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NYU says it has decided to proceed with its May 15 commencement in person and as planned at Yankee Stadium.
Students at Columbia, NYU, New York City College and others are demanding their schools divest from Israeli entities. The NYPD continues to keep a close watch on college campuses while students occupy and protest on school grounds.
On Friday, the NYPD swarmed two encampments at NYU and The New School and made several arrests.
Despite the tense protests on local campuses, Gov. Kathy Hochul is also encouraging the schools to move forward with their planned commencement ceremonies.
"Every student deserves to celebrate at a commencement. They should not be denied this opportunity because of the actions of others. So I've offered my support to the universities from my administration to find a path to make sure there are security measures in place so these commencements can move safely forward," Hochul said.
Adams agrees, saying he believes the students who have worked hard to graduate should not be denied this opportunity.
Demonstrations are expected to continue at Hunter College and Columbia on Monday.
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