Columbia University is canceling its largest commencement ceremony following months of turmoil that culminated in mass NYPD arrests of pro-Palestinian students who had set up encampments on campus and occupied a school building.
The graduation ceremony had been scheduled for May 15.
“We have decided to make the centerpiece of our Commencement activities our Class Days and school-level ceremonies, where students are honored individually alongside their peers, rather than the University-wide ceremony,” the school wrote in an unsigned announcement.
“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.”
The NYPD arrested more than 200 people on Columbia campus in separate raids in recent weeks. Students had pitched tents in the heart of the Morningside Heights campus, demanding the school divest from all financial ties to Israel. The students also protested Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza.
The demonstrations sparked a national movement, with students setting up similar encampments around the country. As at Columbia, those other protests often prompted a major police response.
Columbia President Minouche Shafik previously asked the NYPD to maintain a presence on campus past May 15. She said her administration tried negotiating with the student protesters but they crossed a line by occupying the Hamilton Hall building last week.