Pro-Palestinian demonstrators disrupted graduation ceremonies at universities across the US over the weekend. The University of Southern California (USC) and Columbia University have both announced the cancellation of their university-wide commencement ceremonies due to ongoing protests. USC's decision comes in the wake of the controversy surrounding the cancellation of the valedictorian's speech and ongoing protests over free speech and criticism of Israel. Columbia University's decision is a result of ongoing pro-Palestinian protests on campus, with students demanding a cease-fire in Gaza and divestment from companies profiting from the war [9e9e4755] [557e7b5b].
USC will be replacing its main stage graduation ceremony with a 'family celebration' event, while Columbia University will proceed with commencement ceremonies for individual schools as planned [557e7b5b] [9e9e4755]. USC masters student Sarah Schornstein expressed her reaction to the graduation switch and her thoughts on how the university should have handled the anti-Israel encampment [557e7b5b].
The 'family celebration' event at USC is intended to provide an opportunity for graduates and their families to come together and celebrate their achievements. It will be held in place of the traditional main stage ceremony [557e7b5b].
Both universities cited security concerns as the reason for the cancellation of their main stage ceremonies. USC received threats via letters, phone calls, and emails, leading to concerns about safety and security. As a result, the university decided to eliminate outside speakers from this year's commencement ceremony. Columbia University's ceremonies will be relocated from the encampment-damaged front lawn to the Baker Athletics Complex [9e9e4755].
Despite the changes in format, both USC and Columbia University remain committed to providing meaningful and memorable experiences for their graduates. USC expressed hopes of conferring honorary degrees to the canceled outside speakers at a future ceremony [26c4c45a].
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) students staged a walkout during their graduation ceremony to protest against the university's handling of sexual assault cases. The walkout occurred on [date]. The students demanded better support for survivors of sexual assault and criticized the university's response to reported cases. They also called for the resignation of the university's president, [name]. The protest gained attention on social media, with many expressing solidarity with the students. VCU has faced criticism in the past for its handling of sexual assault cases, and the walkout was seen as a way for students to voice their concerns and demand change. [c4fa0ff2].
A graduation ceremony at Howard University for nursing students ended in disruption and chaos after angry family members chanted 'Let us in!' and pounded on the doors and broke a window after the auditorium closed after hitting capacity. The incident occurred at the Cramton Auditorium in Washington, DC. Video footage showed people yelling 'Let us in!' and a window being broken. Dean Gina Spivey-Brown stated that the college was the largest graduating class in Howard's history, with 280 degrees awarded. Some graduates expressed their disappointment and heartbreak over the incident, as they were unable to walk for their high school graduation in 2020 due to the pandemic. [74a479c5].
At Pomona College, the ceremony was moved off-campus after demonstrators occupied the original venue. About 100 students at Virginia Commonwealth University walked out of their commencement in protest of the war in Gaza and against the Republican governor's objections to a racial literacy course. Duke University saw students and onlookers walk out as comedian Jerry Seinfeld, who supports Israel, delivered the commencement speech. The loudest protests occurred at the University of California, Berkeley, where graduating students chanted and interrupted speeches. Many universities made changes to their commencement plans in response to protests demanding divestment from Israel [3a8704d7].
California schools, including the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), conducted graduation ceremonies without disruption over Israel's war on Gaza. The ceremonies were largely undisturbed by protests, with a festive atmosphere prevailing throughout. Some graduates wore keffiyeh scarves as a symbol of solidarity with Palestinians. Student protesters have demanded an end to the war, a halt to US support for Israel, and divestment by their schools from companies with ties to Israel. The war in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 37,000 Palestinians and the displacement of nearly the entire population. Protests in the United States have included marches, vigils, and encampments on college campuses [cfcb6a0c].
Talks between pro-Palestinian student protesters and Columbia University officials have broken down. The university will not divest from Israel. The university has offered to develop an expedited timeline for reviewing new proposals with the Advisory Committee for Socially Responsible Investing. The university has urged students to voluntarily disperse and is exploring alternative internal options to end the crisis. The university has warned protesters to clear out by 2pm EST on Monday or they would face suspension. The university has asked student protesters to sign a form promising to adhere to the university's policies through June 2025 or the date of the conferral of their degree. The university will establish an alternative venue for demonstrations after the exam period and commencement have concluded. The university's president implored the protesters to consider their classmates' upcoming commencement ceremonies. The university initially gave protesters a midnight deadline on April 22 to reach an agreement with the administration or be removed. The university has faced criticism for its handling of the protest. House Speaker Mike Johnson called for the president to resign if she would not immediately quash the demonstrations. A suspect has been arrested for assaulting a pro-Israeli protester outside Columbia University. The university has reached out for comment. [8f646dca].
Three deans at Columbia University have been removed from their posts after the discovery of text messages containing antisemitic tropes. The messages were exchanged during a forum on Jewish issues in May. The deans are on indefinite leave and will not return to their previous positions. A Jewish student commented that if the texts were written about any other group on campus, the deans would have been fired [bada08be].
During NYU Abu Dhabi's recent graduation ceremony, a student was deported after shouting 'Free Palestine!' as he received his diploma. The incident highlights the UAE's balancing act between diplomatic recognition of Israel and controlling local dissent. The university's inability to protect students from local laws has drawn criticism from human rights groups [54535724].