Columbia University has announced that it is cancelling university wide Commencement in the wake of pro-Palestinian protests, which were disrupted by police raids and subsequent arrests.
The commencement ceremony, originally scheduled for May 15, will now be school-level, and held at the Baker Athletics Complex far from campus.
Columbia University has come under fiery criticism from both the left and the right. Pro-Palestinian voices have criticized the university’s administration for deploying riot police to arrest and disperse student protestors, and have questioned the university administration’s decisions to suspend students for participating in the Gaza Solidarity Encampment.
The right has demanded that the University’s administration, including President Minouche Shafik, act more decisively to end the pro-Palestine protests. Many have demanded Shafik’s resignation in the aftermath of the protests over her handling of the situation.
The decision to cancel university wide commencement saves Shafik from having to deliver a commencement address as the University’s President.