By The FirstColumbia University canceled its main graduation ceremony this week over fears the event would be hijacked by pro-Hamas sympathizers and anti-Israel radicals.
From ABC New York:
Columbia University has decided not to hold its university-wide commencement ceremony that had been scheduled for May 15.
The school released a statement on Monday morning saying they would opt to focus instead on its Class Days and school-level ceremonies.
“Based on input and feedback from student leaders, the University has decided to focus attention on Class Days and school-level ceremonies, where students are honored individually alongside their peers, and to forego the University-wide ceremony that is scheduled for May 15. 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.”
Many of the graduating seniors missed out on their high school graduations as well due to the pandemic.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said University President Minouche Shafik has ceded “control to Hamas supporters” and called for her immediate removal.