Columbia cancels commencement ceremony after weeks of turmoil - as traumatized ... trends now
Columbia University has canceled its university-wide graduation ceremony, after weeks of campus protests over the ongoing war in Gaza.
Instead, Columbia will replace the large-scale commencement, which was set to happen on May 15, with smaller celebrations based in individual colleges within the university.
'Our students emphasized that these smaller-scale, school-based celebrations are most meaningful to them and their families,' the university said Monday. 'As a result, we will focus our resources on those school ceremonies and on keeping them safe, respectful, and running smoothly.'
This comes days after the New York Police Department burst onto Columbia with riot gear to break up the tent encampment and re-take Hamilton Hall back from student occupiers.
Over 100 people were arrested at the New York City university, according to CNN. Police said there were no injuries or people resisting arrest.
The NYPD moved to clear Hamilton Hall on April 30, less than 24 hours after it was occupied by protesters at Columbia University
Pro-Palestinian supporters confront police during demonstrations at The City College Of New York (CUNY) as the NYPD cracks down on protest camps at both Columbia University and CCNY on April 30, 2024 in New York City
An individual is arrested on April 30 during the NYPD's operation to re-take Hamilton Hall
Despite similar police crackdowns on protests at New York University, its administrators plan to proceed with its commencement at Yankee Stadium on May 15, ABC 7 reported.
USC, like Columbia, also canceled its main commencement ceremony.
Columbia's decision to scale down its end-of-year festivities came days after the student editors behind the Columbia Law Review urged administrators to cancel final exams and give students passing grades.
'We believe that canceling exams would be a proportionate response to the
