- Columbia University has canceled major graduation events following protests on campus.
- The school said it plans to focus on smaller ceremonies and move festivities away from the south lawn.
- Protests against Israel’s war in Gaza have led to dozens of arrests.
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Columbia University is canceling major graduation events following protests against Israel’s war in Gaza that have roiled campus and resulted in dozens of arrests.
Columbia University announced that instead of a university-wide event previously scheduled for May 15, it will instead focus on school-level ceremonies and school days recognizing individual students.
The ceremony had previously been scheduled for the Ivy League university’s South Lawn, where pro-Palestinian protesters had set up camp. The majority of graduation ceremonies will now be held at the Baker Athletics Complex, Columbia University said.
Columbia University said it made the decision based on feedback from students and said the changes will not affect families’ travel plans.
“Students emphasized that these small, school-based celebrations are the most meaningful to them and their families,” the university said in a statement.
Colombia’s government said it was focusing resources on keeping the small ceremony “safe, civil and smooth.”
Still, the Colombian government is “considering the possibility of holding a celebration on May 15 instead of a large formal ceremony.”
The university said it would share more information in the coming days.
The protesters were demanding that Colombia divest from Israel and companies with ties to the country. However, the demonstration caused unrest on campus, with Jewish leaders accusing the protesters of making hateful comments against Jewish students.
The outrage prompted calls for the university’s president to resign and led major donor Robert Kraft to withdraw his support for the university.
The demonstrations lasted about two weeks, and the New York Police Department was called in to destroy encampments and arrest protesters who had taken over campus buildings.
Some schools holding graduation events are taking steps to prevent disruption. Associated Press reported.
On Monday, Emory University announced it would move graduation activities off campus due to safety concerns.